Projects Roadster side mirrors?

I used the stock mirror as well. It goes in one of the windshield stanchion bolts. Works pretty good. Not completely useless.

 

Hello,

Your open roadster can use just about any size mirror that is available and will fit where you want it placed. A lot of models have the hinge attachment mirror that would be great, fit into most styles of hot rods and serve as a quick glance viewing when necessary.

The rear views in old hot rod has always been a sore point for my wife and me. When we were 20-30 somethings, we had small outside mirrors on our El Camino and 327 powered 40 Ford Sedan Delivery.

They did what they were supposed to do for our hot rod driving at the time.

But, over time, the right side mirror played a major part, due to the total blind spot on the right rear solid panel of the sedan delivery. We just shrugged it off and because we had used the outside rear view mirror plenty of times, it worked out ok. The El Camino had the best overall outside view for obvious reasons and it was never a sore spot. One quick glance in the outside mirror, the inside mirror and all showed what was behind and side of us on the road. The best in “greenhouse” views of just about any hot rod or cruiser.

The sedan delivery had its own mindset. Over time taking the sedan delivery everywhere due to it having a 327 and A/C, it became the workhorse for us. We even used it for night time visits to friend’s houses and free lunch/dinners at my mom’s house. All was good… then more night time driving in the sedan delivery started to cause some problems for us. Our vision was still good, no glasses necessary and we were having fun cruising all over So Cal coastal and inland areas. Some little things in viewing traffic and movement on that right rear outside panel crept up now and then. At the time, we just shrugged it off.
The front view in the sedan delivery at night was great. Comfortable, quiet and safe. Coming home from a late photo shoot about 40 miles from our small apartment… near a popular drive-in theater location close to Bixby Knolls. Less traffic, but noticeable when not able to see outside the right side blank wall panel side while driving, other than the dinky round mirror.

So, now, a couple of harrowing incidents with the blind spots on the outside panel scared us to a point of no night driving. We liked the view out of our windows, but at night, the right rear blind spot increased for us, despite being the same as during the daylight times. Then, the constant daylight driving with the sedan delivery was beginning to be a problem with coastal highway driving to and from the beach locations. Sight is/was everything for enjoyment, and this small outside mirror was trying to overcome the total right rear panel, blind spot and not allowing us to have a clear, safe vision.


Jnaki

So, we tried to look for a larger mirror. Our neighbor gave us a ride in his larger van and he had the ultimate large rear outside mirror that left no blind spots. Even, my brother’s VW window van had more visibility than our sedan delivery. So, we were stuck between a small mirror that was hot rod appropriate and one that gave us the whole world out back. We kept the small mirror and had to sell the sedan delivery due to other family situations.

For your open roadster, you are not lacking for clear greenhouse viewing all around while driving. You are in the wide open spaces and a small mirror will provide you with some inkling of a view, if and when it is necessary. But, for most of the time, you driving in the open roadster with views all around… any mirror that will fit and not be overpowering the roadster, would be fine... Stay safe… YRMV

 

If you want to see what is behind you get the Hagan Fatties, 3 or 4", a big difference!

 

I have these from Vintique. They suck! Brand new there’s a black spot in the center of the glass on both mirrors.
I’m going to change them to a longer post anyway. Can’t seem to get the adjusted to a good spot to see oncoming traffic well.

 

I will check them out. I guess it’s true, “you get what you pay for”.

 

What arms and mirrors did you use on the 41 PU from Hagan?

 

It is. I paid the price but the range of view is amazing. My ability to change lanes and backup is great. I also used their arms that bolt on through the doors.

 

I used the "curved arm" and the 3 1/2" fatty.
You're request made me remember to order a pair for my roadster today.

 

Hello,

As long as we are talking about mirrors, here is a tip from various car groups that have emphasized not using Windex with ammonia in all mirrors, rear view inside and outside mirrors, regular and images appear larger mirrors.

Why? For some reason ammonia goes to work on the surface and then creeps inside the layers of the silver in the mirrors. Ammonia can cause the tint to chip and discolor, become cloudy, or even peel off completely. Then, the mirror is going to need replacement, unless you don't care about clear outside or rear vision.

Inside mirrors and outside mirrors are useful. But care is needed to keep them working correctly. Simple water and a clean rag will do the job. No streaks or smears when finished.

Jnaki

We had no problems with the early window cleaning with solution that did not use ammonia. When our mom started using Windex, it was touted to have ammonia and cleaned like no other. So, we used the same bottle. We had to replace one outside mirror and one inside rear view center mirror as it got cloudy and the vision was not good. She had to have the local glass and mirror guy come out and replace an engraved 1950s medicine cabinet mirror due to the creeping deterioration of the silver and the mirror looked awful.

The worst case was the cost of replacing a big round circular mirror that was the “women’s” get ready dresser. The tall circular mirror had engraving all around the outside edge of the mirror. As she was a prolific house cleaner, she always sprayed the large mirror and got it perfectly clear with our old white Penney’s T-shirts she found with rips or tears in them. Clean, those T-shirts were the perfect glass cleaner rags for everyone. But, the cost of replacing the mirror was horrendous and afterwards, used only hot water and the same Penney’s T-shirts.

In recent times, it is not just old hot rods, but modern glass mirrors, too. Glass Plus is a great cleaner without ammonia and it has worked for us for over 20 years. No mirror replacements necessary on any of our cars, old or new. YRMV

 

Speedway roadster mirrors that were shortened.

 

In “hindsight” I shoulda drilled and tapped the windshield post…
Pretty much useless for anything but backing up…

 

I "see" what you did there.