Why didn't my Dad's truck have a mirror? Were they optional?

[davepl]

My Dad had a new 1868 GMC 910 (same as the US 1500) that had West Coast Junior mirrors. The cab had no rearview mirror, nor any bracket for one, nor did he remove it.

I think I remember a round circle of white that could have been an adhesive disc, but I don't recall truck mirrors ever being mounted that way.

Anyway, I'm wondering if when you got big optional trailer mirrors if the interior mirror was somehow optional? I don't recall seeing them on a SPID ever.

[Stu Pidd]

I've wondered about the same thing with my '68 Chevy.
Original owner had a canopy, so interior mirror would be of little value. Doesn't look like there has ever been a mirror installed.

Nice thing about a canopy- The box is still in excellent condition.

[wd 69]

My '68 is exactly the same setup. West Coast Jrs and never was any rear view mirror. Been in the family since it was brand new. My understanding was since it was a farm truck (at least in my truck's case) they pretty much expected stakes, etc. to render a review unusable. And anyway, you had those West Coast Juniors. . .

[too much stuff]

I think rear view mirrors were optional through 69.

[FirstOwner69]

My 1969 top of the line CST/20 (produced during Dec., 1968) did not have an inside rearview mirror. The dealer told me it was an option.

According to the 1968 "Truck Data Book" on the GM Heritage center, an inside rearview mirror was option D36. The 1969 "Truck Data Book" says the mirror was standard, but the book is dated April 1, 1969, and notes that there was a change to the mirrors included as standard equipment. Based on my truck and what the dealer told me, I suspect the change was to add the mirror as standard sometime between late Dec., 1968 and April 1, 1969.

[Baddflash]

My 69 C20 was never equipped with the rear view mirror either.

[phillip123hastings]

I seriously starting to believe that mirrors were optional But it sounds... insane. Why wouldn't they be mandatory question number one, and two, even so, why wouldn't you put one?

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by phillip123hastings

I seriously starting to believe that mirrors were optional But it sounds... insane. Why wouldn't they be mandatory question number one, and two, even so, why wouldn't you put one?

I think they already answered your question.

Outside rearview mirror, too. The outside rearview mirror was also optional on passenger cars. "No mirror" was the base condition.

K

[68 50th]

Originally Posted by davepl

Anyway, I'm wondering if when you got big optional trailer mirrors if the interior mirror was somehow optional? I don't recall seeing them on a SPID ever.

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

According to the 1968 "Truck Data Book" on the GM Heritage center, an inside rearview mirror was option D36.

Last pic in post #3 and the pic in post #20 both have the D36 listed. Probably some more in the thread.
One as NON GLARE MIRROR and the other as INSIDE R V MIRROR DAY....
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...highlight=spid

[68 50th]

Originally Posted by davepl

Anyway, I'm wondering if when you got big optional trailer mirrors if the interior mirror was somehow optional? I don't recall seeing them on a SPID ever.

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

According to the 1968 "Truck Data Book" on the GM Heritage center, an inside rearview mirror was option D36.

Last pic in post #3 and the pic in post #20 both have the D36 listed. Probably some more in the thread.
One as NON GLARE MIRROR and the other as INSIDE R V MIRROR DAY....
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...highlight=spid

Sorry for double posting, something went wrong when trying to edit.

[72supr]

Wd 69 has it right.If you had a stock rack on why have a mirror.Back then a lot of these pickups were bought by farmers and ranchers.Why pay for something you wouldn't use.

[special-K]

Real trucks, meaning larger than pickups, don't have interior rear view mirrors. Pickups came along as a new idea as a mini version of a truck the same size as a car. Before that it was cars and big trucks. Big trucks were made to have bodies or carry cargo that would block any center view to the rear. I removed the interior mirror on my '92 K3500 because it had a reading work top on the bed. This gave me a better front view where the mirror was blocking for no useful reason.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by special-K

Pickups came along as a new idea as a mini version of a truck the same size as a car.

Early "street rodders" (lol) invented the pickup truck by removing the "turtledeck" portion off their Model T Fords and replacing it with a home made platform.

Not one to miss a good idea Henry Ford began offering a factory built box as a kit, which purchasers had to go to their dealer and pick up.

K

[89AKurt]

My truck didn't have interior mirror, no holes in the roof.
R/V mirrors painted white, stainless mirror "pan" (whatever they're called). Broke the stud trying to adjust the mirror, discovered the bent part is solid rod! Just drilled out, put in new stainless bolt.
I might stick a newer mirror on the windshield, easy "fix".

[89AKurt]

Originally Posted by special-K

Real trucks, meaning larger than pickups, don't have interior rear view mirrors. ...

That condo camper is a trip, never saw one before.

[bronze 72 super]

I didn't know that trucks were produced in 1868? Typo??!!!

[bronze 72 super]

Joking aside in my last post, the federal government in this time frame was maintaining a lot of safety standards. Recessed knobes, rubber rimmed rearview mirrors, side marker lights, dual master cylinders, the list goes on. This is one reason why mirrors were optional in earlier years.
By the way, did anyone notice the placement of the "Longhorn" emblem on that green truck?

[GruntMoanCough]

Originally Posted by 89AKurt

That condo camper is a trip, never saw one before.

X2 ^^

Don't know about elsewhere but, around here all motor vehicles have to have at least two mirrors with one of them being mounted on the driver's door. So I can see the various different options/configurations being offered.

[89AKurt]

I know the professionals here are going to laugh about this.......
Had a wild hair to install the mirror. Picked one out of a late 80s Chevy pickup. Cleaned up the metal puck, stuck on with the special glue. Ate lunch. When I put the mirror on, and then adjusted it, the plastic piece broke! I was pissed off, went to the dealer to see if there was that part, was told it's an adapter, should be at a parts store; the second store said there are three sizes/shapes of Chevy pucks. Oh sure, I could buy a new mirror (made in China I bet). So I figured, since this isn't a trailer queen, why not modify the aluminum mount? Dremel saved my butt, again.


Took several test fits.....


It's not perfect, but it's solid, and my pride was restored. lol

[1972RedNeck]

Neither of our '71's have rear view mirrors, but being C6500's I don't see any reason to need to look at the front of the grain box while going down the road.