I would like to improve my one door mirrors on my 57 444. The driver's round mirror, clamps to the door frame. My passenger side is round and mounted on the that side's front fender. I figure the first is original and the second is aftermarket.

I'm not totally happy with the visiblity of either. Anyone have suggestions that can help eliminate blind spots when backing up, changing lanes, etc?

Thank you

I could be flippant and say that the 444/544 is not an easy car to see out of anyway, but that wouldnt be constructive or help you.

Most of the Volvo accessory brochures of the period, show the "Lucas" style mirror previously mentioned. What Volvo sold wasn't Lucas but a variation on the theme.
They generally showed a door mounted mirror, mounted on the flat area just below the vent window.

My P210 came with fender mounted mirrors, mounted rather far forward on both fenders. I found them useless. I have a door mounted mirror on the driver side currently, that works but really needs to have a longer arm. The P210 body tapers outward and a mirror with a bigger head and longer arm would be more helpful. I think also the passenger side mirror would have to be mounted very carefully should you choose a door mounted mirror for that side, so that it is high enough and that the vent window support doesn't get in the way of what you see.

One of the later style 140 mirrors would give you a bigger mirror head, but may not stick out far enough off the body to be effective. I guess you'll just have to try it.

Another possibility is to pick up a copy of Street Rodder magazine. There are frequently mirrors available in that market that could look neat on a PV, since they are intended for vehicles of the same basic design time period.

Good luck.
Bob Tescione

Both your mirrors are aftermarket in a sense. Mirrors on 544's were installed on the car when it was sold, if a customer wanted them. The two spots for installation were the fender, and the clamp on mirror.

I don'[t seem to have any problems backing up and seeing with the Lucas mirror I installed on the shoulder of the door after my clamp on mirror gave up the ghost. I use my 544 as a daily during the non-snow seasons here.
--
Sensual Ascetic. Fountain pens, alternative photo processes, old house, old cars ("We don't need no stinkin' Cup Holders!"), good wine.

Lucas????

By all means don't store it when it snows! It was MADE to drive in the snow!
I commuted 50 miles each way in the snow in one in 1967 and it was GREAT! Once I made the 50 miles in snow deep enough to continuously rub on the bottom of the car and did it in an hour and a half. A few other times I did it on ice too slick to walk on (HAD to drive!) in about the same time. Other cars were off the road on both sides most of the way. BTW when I got to work in Tulsa the plant was empty - the locals couldn't make it in!

It is a GREAT winter car!! Let it show you what it can do!
--
George Downs, The "original" Walrus3, Bartlesville, Oklahoma

I know the history of the 544 and the wonderful reputation they have as winter drivers. They have been a favorite of ice racers in these parts for years, and were seen all the time on the lakes round here in the past when they froze up. Sadly,they are too rare to really see them shine as ice racers.

Alas, if I drove my beauties, the 544 and 122 regularly in the winter they would be gone in a couple of years. It is insane how heavily Minnesota salts their roads, and they have not changed to a non-corrosive alternative.

I HAVE, however, driven the 544 occasionally in the winter, and I concur with you on what a great winter driver they are. I surprised everyone when i drove it. (My 245 wagon was in the shop for aa few days, and I was forced to drive one of the oldies.)
--
Sensual Ascetic. Fountain pens, alternative photo processes, old house, old cars ("We don't need no stinkin' Cup Holders!"), good wine.

You are right, George, about the way PVs handle in snow, but for most of us snow = salt, and who would want to do that to a PV unless, of course, it's already pretty well rusted through?

I got two Lucas type mirrors from Moss Moters Catalog and they are very similar to the one that was on the car. I mounted them by the wing window and have pretty good visibility both sides. Be careful to mount the right side mirror slightly farther (back I think, but could be forward, i.e., they are not symetrical. Best to look first and have someone mark the spot where you can see best.
HJ

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>Moss Moters Catalog

Do you have a link?


...

www.mossmotors.com

The one for Brit cars? Do they have the good products at good prices?

One of the reasons we had such snow and ice was that we didn't have salt.
Fortunately it rarely lasted more than a couple days.
--
George Downs, The "original" Walrus3, Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Took your advice and looked at some. The convex ovals seem particularly useful.

As a side note: if you ever want to burn an evening, try a Google search on "Lucas mirror" and chase some of those links!

Thanks for the info.