I see real So-Cal swan mirrors on Ebay as well as cheaper versions. I'm willing to pay up for So-Cal but am concerned that So-Cal only has one stud attachment while others have two. My 35 5W doors are suicide so I'm worried that with one stud the mirror arm may turn and the head as well . Any experience with either/both ? Pics installed? Thanks Leon
I bought the eBay no-name 2 stud versions 4-5 years ago and they've held up very well. My only complaint is the furnished studs could have been longer. Identical to the Bob Drake ones, less than half the money. The big difference with the So-Cals is the stainless neck instead of chrome die-cast. The chrome is easier to clean.
In my experience, the So-Cals have a better looking and more swan-like neck. Most of the Ebay ones are a little flatter. -Abone.
Does So-Cal make their own, or could they be sourcing from a similar, or same, supplier as the Ebay ones and just re-Marketing them?
I have the SoCal mirrors here, and they’re very nice. Don’t have the others to compare to, though. Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Both of my cars have single point attachment studs that are what looks like a 10-32 screw through from the inside of my doors out into the mirrors. One set has been there over a decade on the suicide doors of my Austin. The other pair less than 6 months on my '39 Chev. No issues there either. Both the cheaper Ebay ones.
I have the more compact version of the swan neck mirror I got from Lime Works on my 32 3 window and the So-Cal version on my 40 coupe. They both work fine.
One thing you need to think about is how long is the mirror stem. Because of the taper front-to-rear of most early bodies, if the stem isn't long enough mostly or maybe all you'll see behind you is the side of the car. There's more than a few mirror designs out there that are far more decorative rather than functional. Those cowl-mount ones sold for the 39-48 Fords that replace the cowl molding are useless; you can't even see the passenger side mirror from inside the car, much less see anything behind you. Some of the door-mount versions have the same problem, they don't stick out enough to see past the rear of the body. The mirrors I ended up with are my third set due to this...
I don't know what brand I have but here in Florida the salt air has done a number on them. I will make sure if stainless is available I will get them next time....
Some of the mirrors have tinted glass which helps to cut down on glare from cars behind. I believe So-Cal mirrors are like that.
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