The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Which side mirror - straigt or curved arm...

I need to add a passenger side mirror to my '52. It seems there are two arm styles: mostly straight and curved/bent. Which is correct/mostly correct? Or, is it a matter of taste. Does one over the other make the mirror easier to see? Also, which mirror is mostly period correct: large rectangle or round?

I think a black arm is period correct in '52 due to the limit use of chrome, but I think I will go with chrome anyway as it looks much better. Opinions?

Hey Dave, it all depends on the body type you have(flatbed, wrecker etc).Most of the pick ups around here have a curved,small, spot mirror. I put stainless, below eye level (rectangle) mirrors on my '53 6500 wrecker because I couldn't see with that small, vibrating, spot mirror on a long arm.I don't think they look too bad at all.

Thanks. I was looking through the catalogs more and figured out that the curved arm is for the passenger side. Straight for drivers side. My truck had the rectangular mirror, but I think I will go with the small round mirror (for looks sake only). I think you will be right about it vibrating too much.

The "standard" mirror arms (non-telescoping, non-straight arm) for 47-55 were:

47-50 driver's side (left side) stock/standard equipment mirror arm (for doors with no vent window)
51-55 driver's side (left side) stock standard equipment mirror arm (for doors with vent window)
47-55 passenger side (right side) optional/accessory mirror arm

I do not think that a chrome arm was GM-available from 47-55 (but, use them, if you like them).

I think that there are also no chrome/stainless round mirrors from GM in 47-55.

I use reproduction round black mirrors that are stainless steel under the paint.
I also like convex mirrors on both sides.
And, I like a 6" round mirror rather than the original 5" round mirror.

Do whatever suits your truck/tastes.

< CLICK > Recent post on mounting the mirror

- Lonnie

Yep, I agree with you that black was probably standard. But, I am not going for a totally 100% authentic restoration. But, any changes I make from 100% authentic can easily be undone (or set right) by any future owner. With that said, I think chrome will look better to help offset the odd chrome/SS bits that were original such as headlight bezels, door handles and windshield divider.

The other reason is that I don't know what sheen is on the black arms and then I would probably have to sand and paint to match what I am doing with the vent window frames, running boards, and wheels (gloss catalyzed single stage urethane black paint).

From Jim Carter's site:
http://www.oldchevytrucks.com/blog/index.php/category/technical-articles/1947-55/mirrors-1947-55/

Awesome information, thanks for posting link!

If you are just adding a mirror you may be interested in this. I haven't read all the material here but in one of my service update bulletins it advises to put shims between the brace and the cowl if there is a space. Failing to do so could bend the cowl.

Here is a picture of mirror shim material, it is like a heavy tar paper.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/9647482447/

Thanks. Oh yes, I have a big space on the drivers side (and the cowl was bent when I purchased truck, but no longer. I am not sure how you would get any shim behind the plate. I was contemplating filling the void with Plastic filler. I will have to take another look.