[SCG] West coast style FC mirrors

Fri Sep 7 00:29:23 EDT 2007

Hi,
It took me a little while to reflect on the mirror question, mainly because the various Chevy accessory literature is very conflicting on the correct part numbers for FC mirrors in '62 and '63. But I've made changes to your chart and believe they're correct.
The 61 985355 (black) and 62-63 985285 (white) mirrors are the same except for the color. You can mix and match black & white pieces of each to your hearts content. They were extremely sturdy mirrors but stuck out a mile making them easy to hit. And when they got hit hard enough, the door was then ruined or needed to be bumped out.
In 63, ordering D29 got you 985285, but you could get both 985285 and 985410 as dealer installed accessories. 985410 was like the 64-65 985771 and didn't stick out as far from the side of the truck. Plus, they'd swing in if they hit something, saving the sheet metal. All the 62-65 mirrors were supposed to be white whether dealer or factory installed, with cad plated nuts. The black pair you have (985410 & 985771 style) looks like it's been completely painted black by a previous owner.
Your second picture is the 61-63 985355/985285 mirror but either stripped and polished or in a stainless version not offered by Chevrolet. I've had NOS FC mirrors and there's never been a maker's name that I could find.
Note that D29 could be ordered in two ways: you could either have just the left mirror or both mirrors, depending on which box the dealer checked on the order form.
Hope this helps,
Dave 

-- "Kent Sullivan" <kentsu at corvairkid.com> wrote:

Hi all. Hope everyone is having a good rest today.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Tim Colson and I have been emailing about West coast style FC mirrors. Regarding stock West coast style mirrors, my only source of info is Larry’s article in the April, 1989 Communique. A summary of that is:

Year      
Dealer accessory #
Size
Color
Factory RPO #
Size
Color
1961
988355
7.5” x 10.5”
Black
N/A
N/A
N/A
1962
985285
7.5” x 10.5”
White
N/A
N/A
N/A
1963
985285
 & 985410 6x11" Dealer Installed, White
7.5” x 10.5”
White
D29
6” x 11”
White?
1964
985771               
6” x 11”
White
D29
6” x 11”
White?
1965
985771
6” x 11”
White
D29
6” x 11”
White?

You’ll note that I am unsure, from Larry’s article, what the accessory part number is for 1963-5. Perhaps someone can confirm.

You’ll note that Larry’s article states that the color became white in 1962. Tim has a set of the white 6” x 11” mirrors on his Corvan. See the first attached photo of Tim’s mirrors. However, I have a pair of original 6” x 11” mirrors (with the correct Corvair mounts) that are black. See this link for my 6” x 11” black mirrors. I am wondering if the factory mirrors were black and the dealer accessory mirrors were white. Can anyone shed light on this?

Also note that the article also says that 1963 was a transition year—two sizes available depending on dealer or factory purchase. And then one size for the last two years.

Next question: Can anyone identify the manufacturer, and better yet, come up with a sales brochure, for the mirrors in the second attached photo? Tim has a set of these on his Rampside. They were obviously made for the Corvair due to the nicely-fitting brackets. Note that Tim said “there should be another piece going from the top of the mirror to the curve on the door.” He removed the brace to make sure if he bumped something with the mirror that they can swing away. I know these mirrors are not the Coronado brand because those look like this. Tim also said that the mounts inside the door are like the factory mounts—triangular shape with studs just long enough for acorn nuts on the outside.

Thanks,

--Kent
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