| 1940 CONVERT | -- 09-01-2013 @ 6:44 PM |
|
I inherited a 1940 Mercury 4dr convertible last year. We have started driving it some. I was wanting to put exterior mirrors on it. My copy of V8 Times March/April 2013 has a pic of one on the back. I've looked in C&G and Mac's but I'm not sure what mirrors are correct. Does anyone know for sure? If you are restoring one of these cars I would be happy to provide pics for you.
|
|
| ford38v8 | -- 09-01-2013 @ 9:30 PM |
|
Welcome to the V8 club website! Your '40 Merc Convertible Sedan is one of the rarest, and hardest to find parts for. They are seldom seen, very desirable and highly valued by our members. As I understand, the correct outside mirrors were not very useful due to the low forward mounting point. The mirror was an approved accessory, so the car is correct with or without them. There was also a correct peep mirror, but of course a peep wouldn't mount on an open car. Hard to understand today that drivers felt comfortable back in the day with only the inside mirror! You might consult your Roster to find other owners of the '40 Merc, especially the Convertible, for ideas on locating any parts you still need. Many had to fabricate their own parts and may have made extras. Alan
|
|
| 1940 CONVERT | -- 09-01-2013 @ 9:38 PM |
|
Luckily it is a completed restoration. Trying to back it in and out of garage is a pain with that tiny back window. I just saw that picture of one with them on it and thought that might help.
|
|
| 1940 CONVERT | -- 09-01-2013 @ 10:39 PM |
|
I'm not sure how I managed to put this in the truck section. Can a moderator move it please?
|
|
| 1940 CONVERT | -- 09-01-2013 @ 10:39 PM |
|
Double post This message was edited by 1940 CONVERT on 9-2-13 @ 8:31 AM
|
|
| TomO | -- 09-02-2013 @ 7:01 AM |
|
Welcome to the Forum. You have inherited one of my favorite Mercury's. Bob Drake reproduced the 40 Mercury mirrors and may have some left. The left side mirror is very useful, but only the passenger can use the right side mirror. The mirror is similar to the 40 Ford but has a base that matches up with the belt molding. If you cannot find a mirror, you can use the readily available Ford mirror. The base will leave a painted space on the cowl visible as the Ford base is shorter. It may be helpful to drop the rear window when backing in. Unfortunately that is a pain. Tom
|
|
| supereal | -- 09-02-2013 @ 7:32 AM |
|
I have one Drake's "football" shaped mirrors in my '47 convertible. The original mirror was damaged, and the correct rectangular replacement had the silvering on the back of the glass which produced a double image, which the oval mirror didn't. Seeing out of the car with the top up is tough enough, but with a double image and trifocal glasses, it is impossible!
|
|
| 1940 CONVERT | -- 09-02-2013 @ 8:30 AM |
|
I'm looking at the Drakes catalog online. Would you happen to know which mirror is correct? I glad you mentioned that the right side mirror is unusable. Dropping the top is probably not an option.
|
|
| supereal | -- 09-02-2013 @ 12:15 PM |
|
I see the inside one I bought in the C&G catalog as 78-17690. In an old Drake catalog, it is 01A-17690. They also list the 78-17690,$55. We don't buy much from Drake, as most of what we need is usually listed as "backordered". I have both Drake outside mirrors on my '47, the 21A-18402/3. The driver's side is not bad, but the passenger side is useless for the driver. Drake shows 1940 Merc cowl mirrors as 09A-18402-R & L. I'd be surprised if they are available, but with a try.
|
|
| 1940 CONVERT | -- 09-02-2013 @ 8:21 PM |
|
I see that part # available from Wescott auto also. I'll also give them a call. I've only ordered from Mac's for this car so far. Only needed a wheel cylinder and axle seals. --- Above is a link for a picture for those who want to see it. If you click through the other pics there are more of the car and our others. Moderators if this is inappropriate please take it down. This message was edited by 1940 CONVERT on 9-2-13 @ 8:33 PM
|
|
| TomO | -- 09-03-2013 @ 8:16 AM |
|
Bob Drake had a closeout on the mirrors a few years ago. The P/N that he used was 09A-18403-L for the left hand mirror. You would have to give him a call to see if he had any left. If not, you could use the Ford mirror. http://www.bobdrake.com/ItemSearchForm.aspx?Search=01A-18403 You could also try Don Collier in Georgia. I will send you his phone number in a PM Tom This message was edited by TomO on 9-3-13 @ 8:18 AM
|
|
| efv8 | -- 09-03-2013 @ 9:02 PM |
|
Web Administrator here........ There is a risk with trying to move your discussion to the Mercury Discussion. That risk is that all of the posts could be deleted. The good news is that we have many valuable members who search out postings and add their superb responses to the questions raised. And, as you have found out, they have been very helpful. Bruce Nelson Early Ford V-8 Club Web Administrator
|
|
| woodiewagon46 | -- 09-05-2013 @ 4:48 PM |
|
I wouldn't go crazy trying to locate a passenger side mirror because it's physically impossible to see it from the drivers seat.
|
|
| 1940 CONVERT | -- 09-09-2013 @ 10:33 AM |
|
I haven't been able to get Drake's on the phone. Wescott said they were getting theirs from Drake and would let me know if they could find them. Collier didn't have any. He was a very nice man that I talked to for about 35 min. He also asked about extra fenders and grill I had. I told him I would try to get an inventory of extra parts and send him pics.
|
|
| trjford8 | -- 09-09-2013 @ 6:08 PM |
|
If you have an extra pair of fenders and an extra grille I would put them aside just in case you have an accident. Those parts are unique to 40 Mercury and it would be tough to find good ones in the event you had an accident. The grille is not reproduced and the ones I have seen at swap meets are very pricey.Those extra parts are cheap insurance and hopefully you won't need them. If you ever decide to sell the car they will add to the selling price. This message was edited by trjford8 on 9-9-13 @ 6:10 PM
|
|
| 1940 CONVERT | -- 09-09-2013 @ 10:56 PM |
|
I was curious what was specific to that car. I know the door and window handles are.I had extra interior door handles cast from my good ones. I still need window risers that are. The ones in it aren't very smooth. We kind of make shifted them. Anything specific to that car I want to hang on to. Does anyone else know what is specific to that car only?
|
|
| TomO | -- 09-10-2013 @ 7:15 AM |
|
All of the body parts are specific to the Mercury. The doors are unique to the convertible sedan. I suggest that you buy the reproduction body parts manual for the 1940 Ford cars. Most mechanical parts will interchange with Ford. Some exceptions are the ww motor, chatter rods, pedal assembly, steering column, steering box and differential. If you have the space, hang onto the fenders and grill. The right half of the grill has sold for as much as $1500 and the center section for $600. Broken grills sell for more than $100 depending on how bad they are. Tom
|
|
| 1940 CONVERT | -- 09-10-2013 @ 9:02 AM |
|
I'm glad you mentioned the steering column. I know I have one of those. Who sells the parts guide. Will it tell the difference in regular body panels and the ones for this car. I'm pretty sure they are for this one. We had extras. Are they stamped with numbers anywhere? Is this what you are talking about? http://www.amazon.com/1939-1940-Ford-Reprint-Body-Parts/dp/B00435JBM6 This message was edited by 1940 CONVERT on 9-10-13 @ 10:34 AM
|
|
| TomO | -- 09-11-2013 @ 7:39 AM |
|
Yes, that is the book. Most parts vendors like C&G, Dennis Carpenter, etc sell these reprints. I was going to suggest that you buy an original, but after looking at the E-Bay prices. I changed my mind. The body parts that are unique to the convertible sedan will have a P/N that starts with 09A-74xxxxx. Parts that are common to all 1940 Mercurys will have a P/N starting with 09A-70xxxxx and parts shared with Ford will have a P/N beginning with x1A-xxxxxxx. The mechanical parts that I listed will fit all 1940 Mercurys. For additional questions about your car, I suggest that you start a new topic in the Mercury section. Tom This message was edited by TomO on 9-11-13 @ 7:42 AM
|
|
| 1940 CONVERT | -- 09-11-2013 @ 10:39 AM |
|
Thanks for the help. I ordered that manual. There is a good chance I already have one. With two houses and four garages to go through I have already found hundreds of manuals. I didn't want to chance getting rid of parts cheap or exclusive to that car. I'll start a new thread next question.
|
|
| EFV-8 Club Forum : | https://www.earlyfordv8.org/forum |
| Topic: | https://www.earlyfordv8.org/forum/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=17&Topic=6486 |