For Those With Round Side View Mirrors

I try to keep my '67 pretty original-looking, but it's always bugged me that when driving it, I can hardly see anything out of the small round side view mirror.

Just to see if it would improve things, I decided to try replacing my (reproduction) 5" round side view mirror with a new one I found online. The new one is also a black 5" round mirror, but has slightly convex, rather than flat glass like the originals had.

Here's a comparison of the front of both mirrors. The old one is on the left, and the new one's on the right. The new one has a slightly smaller lip around the edge, but is otherwise virtually identical to the old one. It even uses the same 5/16”-18 mounting bolt.




The view when looking at the two mirrors from the driver's seat, however, is dramatically different. In order to show as accurate a visual comparison as possible, I took both of the photos below on the same stretch of road. The standard flat-glass mirror is on the left, and the convex one is on the right.




Those pursuing a factory-level restoration may not be interested in doing this, of course. But in my case, I'm going to keep the convex mirror installed, simply for the sake of safety and a better view of what's behind and around me. I'll have to keep in mind though that the convex mirror makes things appear to be farther away than they actually are.

This particular mirror is apparently a replacement side view mirror for a Freightliner truck - it's a Velvac 708521 (or Vel-708521). Here's a link to one on eBay that's the most reasonably priced I was able to find:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/133943845109?hash=item1f2face0f5:g:HZIAAOSwWzVbqf9Z

If you try to buy one from this source and they're sold out, check back again later, as they only list two at a time, but evidently have a number of them in stock.

I believe these same mirrors are available in chrome as well, though I don't have the part number for that version.

 

Maury,
I see what you mean..... That car emerging did not even appear in the old Mirror !

 

I might reference this once I'm out of the (I know not all that money went to Christmas presents for us) doghouse.

I might have knocked my current mirror on the trail enough for it to be floppy and not stay up.

 

I've been using a small round convex for years after ditching the huge square style mirrors. They stuck out like dog ears. I like the small convex just fine. Mine is mounted on a super short arm and is kind of useless when the top is on but, the top is almost never on so...... A longer arm would solve this. Maybe an adjustable would be the ticket for my scenario.

I say to you, "good call" on the mirror.

 

Convex is the way to go. I have a single round convex mirror on the driver side of my cj and a convex center mirror as well. Also have rectangular convex mirrors on both doors of my tj. I recently got an MG and am looking for convex mirrors for it as well.

 

I bolted after market motorcycle mirror's on the stock brackets om my Jeep, true view on drivers side and convex on passenger side, covers both sides well.

 

I have my mirrors mounted to the windshield frame on short arms. The left side is a 5" flat round with a 1.5" D convex spot mirror in the bottom of it. The right mirror is a 5" Convex Then I have a center rear view from a 66 Chevelle Malibu As a Dump truck driver I am really into my mirrors and I find this to be a pretty good setup.In the below photo the mount is clamped to the frame.

 

I don't remember where I found the 5" stainless mirrors for the 3B but those too were a direct replacement. I used a convex on the right side. You have to excuse the mud and bug guts----

 

"I'll have to keep in mind though that the convex mirror makes things appear to be farther away than they actually are."

Objects in the mirror are nearer than they appearer!

 

Correct....when viewed in a convex mirror, objects are nearer than they appear to be; in other words, they appear to be farther away than they actually are.

Your phrasing is a better way of saying it!

 

Thanks a lot! I spewed half my beer over this one!

 

Some 000 steel wool and that new mirror will look perfect.

 

Back in the day, I ran the Tux for years with the original 5" chrome flat mirror on the 16"(?) long arm. Flat or convex would not have made any difference, unless I was stopped. Under way, the mirror vibrated so bad you couldn't see anything anyway. At night, at least you could tell if there was a car behind you from the lights. Otherwise, that mirrow was useless.
-Donny

 

I might know someone who has one or two mirrors like this. (NSFW)

 

Got mine delivered today.
Ordered from Zoro Tools.



Dave

 

I ordered one for my CJ5, hasn't gotten here yet.

 

,,

 

x2