Just wondering about side mirrors on my '53 Merc. the mirrors that are on it now have to go. I just don't like them. I began researching the "little books" for ideas and found that many customs from the 50's didn't have any at all. Was that for show or for every day driving? i'm wondering if any mirror could look good on my car and not disrupt the flow as the eye follows the lines back... any ideas? Spike
I am going through this dilemma too. I can't drive without at least one side mirror, but would prefer one on each side. I have been looking for a cool mirror to mount on the fender.
That's why people run those cool looking and un***uming little "peep" mirrors that set screw to the window frame. Works for my coupe... -ns
Night Prowlers has all kinds of repops from 50s cars. There are several that wouldn't look horrible on a custom. I agree the best look is to not have them at all, but in today's crazy traffic, at least one is a must. 49-51 Ford: 54-65 Ford: Tri-5 Chevy:
I've been thinking the same thing. I had a peep mirror on my Hudson, but I'm not sure I like it. I don't have any side mirrors right now. On the Zephyr, I'll be running a nice door hinge mounted mirror...cl***y.
You should get a set of Valitoni Baby Turbos or a a pair from a Fiero. Also... remember that mirrors from any year Camaro, including IROCs, look right at home on the side of a smooth-flowing custom. After all, it's all about safety!
Be wary of peep mirrors - if you can check them in person before buying, do so. I just bought a set and the p***enger side does not angle in anywhere near enough to be usable -> a major pain in a sedan delivery! I am now looking around for different side mirror ideas as well. cheers ricki
Heres a couple pics of the mirrors I made for my 37 sedan about five years ago, they mount inside on door panel, at the front edge of garnish molding. I bought 2" stick on peep mirrors at local auto store for about a buck a piece, and took them out of their plastic cover. I made the outside mirror housings and inside door mounts from aluminum, and bent the mirror arms from stainless. They work OK, and are sure as hell better than nothin, but they sure are one hell of a conversation piece.
I use the short arm 4" peeps on my Olds custom. Hard to angle them just right, but they work. Use one on the right side with a parabolic mirror. Not recommended, too much distortion to be really good. Have considered using a nice set of late 50's or early 60's mirrors mounted on the fenders, but not sure about if I will still like the look in the years to come.
Peep mirros on a street rod might be OK but if you don't want your mirro to look like an after thought do a side mount like Bad Bob runs on his Merc. Just my opinion!
look into the british and german cars from that era many have a real fine swanneck look to them. porsche 356 and jag xke
****** has the same ones on his stock 50 Merc. So somebody must have installed them in the 50's. I put the SoCal,swan neck mirrors on my son's Shoebox.
no mirrors. gotta keep it clean, bold style takes Sacrifices!!! like not seeing where the **** youre going.
When I bought the car it had a peep on it. I hated it cause it rubbed the paint off and looked like ****. I found some tri-bars but decided to go with the swan necks instead.
Way off. You need the mirrors off a late model G.M. product with the L.E.D. turn indictactors in the mirror. They will accent your digital dash and billet tilt wheel nicely.
As much as I love those *****in' "flag style" mirrors from the 80's, I think I like the swan necks the best. Spike
Not to sound stupid or like an ***hole, but why can't you just stick your head out the window and take a peek. I mean to smooth a car and bolt on mirrors....well, it seems maybe strange. Even when I am jeep around I still rely on turning my neck around to make sure nothing is in the blind spots from the mirror........
A chromed 'bullet' style, like early Shelby Cobras wore, might fit well on a M-53, would echo the bumper Dagmars nicely.
Others beat me to it but I agree with the swan neck mirrors. Peep mirrors never did stay in place for me especially the p***enger side.
Nothing on my wife's '58. Like Katula said, mirrors clutter up the lines of the car. Plus, I wouldn't want her to trust the smallish mirrors ya'll are talking about anyhow. We just turn our head and look when changing lanes etc.
Listening to this gave me an idea ... hear me out, it might be stupid, but if done right, it might be the cat's ***... Since a lot of customs run dummy spots on each side, what would prevent one from outfitting the dummy light housing with a mirror instead? I mean, they could be angled to your heart's content, look correct on a custom, and actually serve a purpose unlike a useless dummy spot that does nothing but look good. What do you think? Put down the crack pipe? OR buy that man a beer?
I dig the SoCal Swan necks. Not to bad for about 100 bucks. I've got an olds tri bar on mine. It's pretty cool but I'm looking for something else.
My previous 52 pontiac 2 door post had a factory spot with the side mirror mounted on the back of it. s.
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