The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts rearview mirrors. Round or square?

So we're making good progress restoring the old 1948 fc303 flatbed that sat for 30 years. The only continuing problem is that 60 years of history is a bit hard for my grandfather to remember. He is almost 90, after all.

So, what were the mirrors on these trucks originally? did it matter? Ours inconveniently has... both. round on drivers side, and square on the passenger side.

Not that it matters. the mirrors are cheap enough to get both and be done with it. But I thought I'd see if somebody here knew a bit of history on the side mirrors of these old beasts.

5" round black mirrors were the standard, optional, and accessory mirrors for Chevrolet trucks of that era (with different length and/or extendable arms).

Most likely, "West Coast" style mirrors (and other rectangular mirrors) were often customer or dealer installed.

Very true. In CA, I know of many that were optional for the slightly lager rectangular mirror and YES, w/ extention rod w/ lock screw. As for the commercial chassis, lots of that add ons were left to the end builder, but a few were special ordered w/ factory optional morrirs and lights amung other items. It was not uncommon to find factory ordered 5" round for driver and medium square for passenger side w/ exra reach arm.