The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors interior rear view mirror

I've got a '55 1st series. There is no interior rear view mirror. Want to buy and install an interior rear view mirror. Where is the original location for the rear view mirror?

In the center just above the window gasket. Screws to the header. use a short drill and short screws so you don't pop thru the roof, it's close to the header.
DG

Might be a bit late for you Nels, but this might be of some interest to someone else: http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/130871288/large
It shows a cross section of the bracket mounting to the header.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Denny,

Sorry I could not remember where to find this a while ago when you asked. I knew that I has seen this somewhere but could not remember until now.

Installation Instructions for 1954/55-1st Truck Inside Rear-View Mirror Bracket

This is page 6 of the 1954 Chevrolet Accessories Installation Manual - note that Chevrolet suggests "Mount desired type of rear view mirror." I hope that the VCCA does not take off points for whatever type of mirror the dealer decided to use?

1954 truck with standard 1954 truck mirror arm and "standard" mirror.

Tim -
I searched your site and the Old Car Manual Project site for the complete "1954 Chevrolet Accessories Installation Manual." Is it available on-line?
Thanks,
- Lonnie

The diagram is great. I was not sure if the rear mirror was even supposed to be in the truck. There are no holes for the mirror. I'll order the mirror and now I know where and how to install it. I am surprised that the truck did not have the holes already drilled for the mirror. Thanks for all your help.

Lonnie,

I do not think that the 1954 Chevrolet Accessories Installation Manual is on-line.

Hey Tim, did you look at the link I posted yesterday??? I out fumbled you by a couple of hours.
I don't think it is either, I had to order one from one of the vendors. Can't get everything for free guys.

Denny G

Denny, Tim, & nels1954 -

A follow up ...
I installed the inside rear view mirror that I've had for 10 years. And I bought a 1954 accessories manual. This mirror gave a tremendous boost to my driving pleasure and safety.

- Lonnie

I do not know what the windshield upper rail is. so am I supposed to place the mirror I/2 inch above the window rubber gasket and then drill the pilot holes (which would probably be about an inch from the edge of the window gasket? this is probably a stupid question, but I am not a mechanic. thanks for your help jim

...pic...

I'll give you a bump

gmman4

The upper rail is part of the sheet metal for the windsheld / roof. It is pictured in the posts by Denny Graham, Tim Lederman, and the bump by DADS50.

When I installed the inside rear view mirror in my '54, I couldn't remove my cardboard headliner without some major work, which would make locating the place to drill the holes easy. I musta measured and figited for a couple of hours. I finally took a SWAG and drilled through the cardboard headliner. Luckily, I hit the rail - but just barely.

If you can slip something undern the headliner to feel the location of the rail, or even better if you can move or remove the headliner, then do so. The cardboard is so thick that it is almost impossible to feel the location of the upper rail through it.

One more thing ... I suggest that you make a depth stop for your drill bit so that you do not dimple the roof when you punch through the upper rail. The rail is fairly heavy gauge steel and takes some effort to drill through.

Hopefully someone else will give you better info.

- Lonnie

Did not see the earlier thread. Here was my post on the same topic. I hope I am on target.

"Just want to sure I understand with drill in hand. Looks like the safest way is to place the bracket against (or very close to) to the rubber trim. From the diagrams, I see no danger in that. I really don't get the 1/2" measurements in the Chevy diagram, which seems like overkill. What about just go right up to the rubber, mark, and drill? What say you?"

Thanks, Harry.