[verna]

Hello all!
I am hoping for a little information on the exiting topic of side mirrors. Here is my problem, when I purchased my 63 nova the original side mirror was removed and another (not even close to original) one was used in its stead. They did not even put it in the same spot, this one was placed near the hood. Not a particularly good look, needless to say, and it has actually hits the side of the hood a bit when it opens and closes. I would like to remove it and replace it with something that would have been original to the car. I am just not sure if a 63 nova had one side mirror or two. I am thinking it just had one drivers side mirror, however I am just not certain. I am sure someone here will know and am hoping they will enlighten me Also I have seen newer replacement mirrors with the bow-tie logo on the back, would that have been on the original ones? Thanks!!

 

[skrymir]

In 1963 the car came stock with 1 driver side mirror. A second mirror was an option.

 

[novabrian]

http://www.classicindustries.com/co...ge=2&productId=75557&productSearchCatalogId=2

 

[CdnL79 Registry]

In 1963 the car came stock with 1 driver side mirror. A second mirror was an option.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it was always my belief that a drivers side door mirror didn't become standard until 1966.
There was even a printed insert in the 1966 Chevy II Custom Accessories Catalogue indicating that padded dash and sun visors, rear seat belts, back up lamps, two speed windshield wiper/washer and left hand rear view mirror were now standard equipment.
You will notice that none of the Chevy II promotional material shows door mirrors until late 1966. A drivers side door mirror was available as an option and also came with the Comfort and Convenience option package. The Motortrend road test of a Nova SS in 1963 clearly shows a left hand door mirror with the bow-tie engraving. This car probably had the Comfort and Convenience package, as you can also see the day/night interior mirror.

Bob

 

[ChevyII MD]

http://www.classicindustries.com/co...ge=2&productId=75557&productSearchCatalogId=2

So does this type of mirror go on both side then?

Mark

 

[CdnL79 Registry]

So does this type of mirror go on both side then?
Mark

Yes, these mirrors can be installed on both left and right sides. The 1963 Chevy II Assembly Manual gives detailed placement info.

Bob

 

[skrymir]

Interesting. I have never seen one without them, but they may have been put on after, due to a DMV law?

 

[CdnL79 Registry]

Interesting. I have never seen one without them, but they may have been put on after, due to a DMV law?

Some places might have had a law stating you had to have them, but I don't think that was generally the case. Prior to 1966, many left side mirrors were put on as dealer installs. I remember my Dad getting one put on his 63 Acadian Beaumont after it arrived. On 1st generation cars a 'W' in the 5th cowl tag ACC position indicated left side mirror and an 'O' was passenger side, if they were factory installed. As was so often the case, many of these accessory codes never got stamped on the cowl tag.
Bob

 

[sixty3SS]

What about the ones mounted on the front fender? Like mine is

 

[CdnL79 Registry]

What about the ones mounted on the front fender? Like mine is

The 63 Assembly Manual doesn't show any mirrors mounted on the fenders, just door mounted.

Bob

 

[Innovative63]

I've got mirrors on both sides of the '63, and no indication on the cowl tag that it was part of the option package. So they are not "factory" but do look old as dirt - quite pitted, but still presentable. And they do have the bow ties.

As Bob pointed out below, I don't think there was ever a side mirror requirement until later years - all of the antique car rules in NC grandfather in all of the "old school" stuff - seatbelts, signals, emergency flashers, mirrors, etc........

Cheers, Tim

Some places might have had a law stating you had to have them, but I don't think that was generally the case. Prior to 1966, many left side mirrors were put on as dealer installs. I remember my Dad getting one put on his 63 Acadian Beaumont after it arrived. On 1st generation cars a 'W' in the 5th cowl tag ACC position indicated left side mirror and an 'O' was passenger side, if they were factory installed. As was so often the case, many of these accessory codes never got stamped on the cowl tag.
Bob

The 63 Assembly Manual doesn't show any mirrors mounted on the fenders, just door mounted.

Bob

 

[1963wagonman]

My 1963 SS had a "W" on the cowl tag for pass side exterior mirror.

 

[skrymir]

I wonder if it is mainly a california thing. My spreadsheet shows that 13 out of the 23 cars I have the cowl tags for had the W. None of the tags for the other factories have a single mirror listed.

I cant remember where, but it may have been the A/C thread. I think we came to the conclusion that lots of stuff was installed at the dealer and didnt make it to the cowl tags.

My mistake. I guess I just figured that since I never saw one without the mirrors, they must have been factory

 

[CdnL79 Registry]

It was always my understanding that the 'W' on the cowl tag was driver side mirror and 'O' was passenger side. Novaresource indicates both 'W' and 'O' are passenger side, but that doesn't make sense. Anybody know for sure?

Bob

 

[skrymir]

Probably a mistake. I can only find 2 cowl tags with a W, which I actually have a pictures of the cars.

You can barley see the mirror behind the drivers side hinge.

I hope that will prove the W. I really need to start taking pictures of the cars that I gather the vin/cowl info for.

 

[ART T]

I bought an all original 64 post car out of Texas that had no outside mirrors. And it was a 400 series.

 

[CdnL79 Registry]

My 63 SS has both left and right bowtie mirrors. The left one would have come with the Comfort and Convenience option. I assume the right one was dealer or owner installed as there is no indication of a passenger side mirror code on the cowl tag. Assuming that would be 'O', has anybody got/seen an 'O' in the 5th position on the ACC line of a cowl tag? For that matter, has anyone got/seen an 'F' in the 5th position to indicate the Comfort and Convenience option (not to be confused with the 'F' in the 1st position which is tinted windshield). No code on mine, but it clearly has the option.

Bob

 

[skrymir]

None of the tags I have have the O at all. Norwood and Willow run have lots of F's, but for some reason I dont see an F on any Oakland cars.

How about I send you my spreadsheet Bob and let you have a look.

Scott

 

[CdnL79 Registry]

None of the tags I have have the O at all. Norwood and Willow run have lots of F's, but for some reason I dont see an F on any Oakland cars.

How about I send you my spreadsheet Bob and let you have a look.

Scott

Sent you a PM, Scott.

Bob