Peep Mirrors

[chevyguys]

Going through my parts today and noticed these peep mirrors. Anybody have any info on them? Are they a factory option, or ???

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

Originally Posted by chevyguys

Going through my parts today and noticed these peep mirrors. Anybody have any info on them? Are they a factory option, or ???

Aftermarket!
I put some Stainless Steel ones on mine way back when.
I still couldn't see anything!
I think I still have'em somewhere in the shop.
https://www.google.com/search?q=peep...w=1024&bih=567

[markeb01]

Those appear to be generic accessory mirrors. They were produced by a variety of companies, and were sold primarily through auto parts stores. Back when these were new they were simply known as “clamp on outside mirrors”. I don’t believe clamp on mirrors were ever offered as factory options, but they may have been sold through dealerships. In the 40's and 50's there wasn't much focus on outside mirrors as many states did not require them. Even in California I don't remember them being mandatory until the 1960's. Many of my parents car never had an outside mirror until my dad installed one.

Although today any clamp on mirror is commonly referred to as a peep mirror, back when these were in wide spread use - straight arm mirrors that typically clamped on the front edge of the door were simply called clamp on mirrors. Peep mirrors typically mounted on the top of the door and drooped down and came in two distinct styles. One clamped on the top edge of the door and the other style clamped on the small drip pan above the vent window on 40’s and 50’s cars.

Here are photos of the two types of peep mirrors, and a rather poor image of the 2nd type mounted on a post war Chevy:

[tazattitude]

I have 'em on my truck. I don't think they were an option.
I only used them to give the doors a little bit of smooth/cleaner appearance.