An external mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a support arm adapted to be affixed to an associated vehicle side door and a housing movably mounted to the support arm. The housing has an adapter plate disposed within the housing for attachment of a glass assembly. The glass assembly includes a mirror affixed to a mirror backing plate. The mirror backing plate secures the glass assembly to the housing so that movement of the housing and glass assembly together and in tandem relative to the support arm adjusts a field of view of the mirror as viewed by an associated vehicle operator. The mirror backing plate is releasably connected to the adapter plate at a connection location which is concealed by a door removably mounted to the housing.