VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 Conv r/v mirror

I'm trying to determine what type of side mount rear view mirrow would be correct for a '52 convetible. The dash mount mirror is totally inadaquate for driving in traffic and trying to change lanes. I parted out a '52 H/T that had a mirror mounted on the door skin, similar to the ones I've seen advertised for the '55-'57 models. Any info or a source would be appreciated. Thanks,

The 1949-54 accessory mirror was a clamp-on type and was mounted an inch or two below the belt moulding. They are extreeeemly rare.

I don't suppose any of the "clamp-on" types I see advertised are usable on a convertible door? They all appear to be of a type that would clamp on the closed car door in the area of the vent window or the top of door. Any suggestions appreciated, Thanks,

The mirror clamped on below the belt moulding so it could be attached to a convertible.....I am trying to find a good picture.

None of the convertibles had dash mounted mirrors.

walt is correct. our 50 chev convert has its interior rear view mirror mounted on the windshield division strip, about 1/4 way down from roof. mike

The 1950 and prior convertibles had no inside mirror. That is because they had the small glass rear window. A bolt-on outside mirror was standard and screws held it on to the upper vent window frame.
The 1951 and up convertibles had the large plastic rear window and they came with just the "normal" inside mirror as standard equipment.
The very early 1950 Bel Air had a standard mounted rear view mirror, high on the windshield divider. This limited rear distance vision due to the low top of the rear window. It was then moved to a very lower position on the divider through 1952. The 1953 hardtops had no divider so the mirror was mounted on top of the dash.
The 1957 4 door hardtops had the dash mounted mirror again.
Mike,
If your 1950 convertible has a divider mounted mirror it was installed there after it left the factory. It was not uncommon for this to be done.

Didn't intend to start a controversy. Guess I should have said "the original inside rear view mirror, mounted low on the windshield divider bar" instead of "dash mounted".

thanks for the headsup gene. regards, mike

This may be a bit confusing but the early "convertibles" had an inside rearview mirror. Now they were not called "convertible" but Cabriolet or Landau Phaeton. They had rollup windows and body by Fisher. Even the 40s "convertibles" were still called Cabriolets. Don't know when Chevrolet changed the names and have not looked it up. So may depend on the official name Chevrolet applied to the drop tops.

I seem to recall seeing 54 hardtops (just asking about hardtops here - not convertibles) with dash-mounted r/v mirrors. Same as Gene mentioned, for 53's...

:confused: :confused: :confused:

Bill.

That is correct, both the 1953 and 1954 hardtops had the dash mounted mirror.
As a note the convertibles of those years had a shorter mirror bracket than the sedans. (due to the lower windshield).
The back side of the mirror was chromed on the 1950-54 Bel Air series models, painted dash color on others,(same for 1955 and up).

Thanks for confirming the dash-mount r/v mirror on both 53 and 54 hardtops, Gene. Nice to know my memory isn't totaly shot!!!

:grin: