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1958 Cadillac Right Hand Mirror

Started by bongo7777, February 18, 2011, 04:37:40 AM

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bongo7777

I have a 58 Fleetwood with an original right hand mirror, I am in Melbourne, Australia so it is very handy as we drive on the Left.
I have seen the occasional right hand mirror for the 59 and 60 models but never for a 57 58 Cadillac.
Cadillac must have made hundreds or maybe thousands of them if I have an original on my vehicle but I have not seen anything from the era advertised and my 58 accessory catalog has no mention of one.
Can anyone please let me know if they are available as a reproduction? I have a 57 Fleetwood that could use one. I tried McVeys but no go.
Thank you,
Graham.
Graham Waddingham.
1941 Cadillac Sedanette, 1942 Sedanette, 1955 Fleetwood, 1955 Meteor Hearse,
1956 Sedan DeVille, 1956 Fleetwood 75, 1956 Eldorado,
1957 Fleetwood, 1957 Eldorado, 1958 Fleetwood 75 series, 1959 75 Limousine, 1960 Flat Top, 1960 Limousine, 1960 Fleetwood, 1960 convertible. 1953 Cadillac 75 Imperial Derham, 1949 Cadillac Imperial,

TonyZappone #2624

I have  a right hand mirror on my 58 convert that I bought many years ago (repo).  It is a quality piece, very well made.  However, I found out why one was never offered from Cadillac.   You can't see the mirror, and there is no way to adjust the head so you can see it.  However, it does look nice on the car.  I can't remember where I got it, perhaps Jay Fisher?  Maybe the reason your car has one was because it was built for export?
Tony Zappone, #2624
1936 Pierce-Arrow conv sed
1947 Cadillac Conv cpe
1958 Cadillac conv
2016 Cadillac CT6 Platinum
2022 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle

Coupe

Try McVey's they are not cheap but look very good.
1957 Coupe de Ville
1962 Sedan de Ville (4 window)
1993 Allante
1938 Chevrolet Business Coupe (Sold)
1949 Jeepster VJ-2

bongo7777

Hi Tony,
I just received the car from the US so it was not built to Australian standards. I also have a factory photograph showing the same model with a right hand mirror fitted. I know what you mean about not being able to see it!! It is a registration requirement here though.
Very few Cadillac's were delivered new to Australia, they were very expensive at the time and also required left to right hand drive conversion. Thankfully nowdays once a car is 30 years old it can stay LHD.
Thanks,
Graham.
Graham Waddingham.
1941 Cadillac Sedanette, 1942 Sedanette, 1955 Fleetwood, 1955 Meteor Hearse,
1956 Sedan DeVille, 1956 Fleetwood 75, 1956 Eldorado,
1957 Fleetwood, 1957 Eldorado, 1958 Fleetwood 75 series, 1959 75 Limousine, 1960 Flat Top, 1960 Limousine, 1960 Fleetwood, 1960 convertible. 1953 Cadillac 75 Imperial Derham, 1949 Cadillac Imperial,

Bob Hoffmann CLC#96

Graham & others,
According to the MPB, Cadillac DID offer an optional RH mirror. Group # 60.0550 or 33.2100, Part # 1471021. Very few were sold for 2 reasons:
#1 Cadillac did NOT promote them.
#2 Many cars still had LH mirrors as on option much less thinking about a RH one.
I've always been a proponent of RH mirrors for several reasons:
#1 They balance out the car.
#2 They do help as a safety issue, even if you can only see a fraction of the mirror.
I'd rather see part of an idiot paceing me in my blind spot rather than nothing.
HTH, Bob
1968 Eldorado slick top ,white/red interior
2015 Holden Ute HSV Maloo red/black interior.
             
Too much fun is more than you can have.

57flw

If anyone can help Graham out and has found a source I would be interested in one for my 57 also.

Ken
Ken Francis
Hervey Bay
Queensland, Australia
1957 Series 60 Special Fleetwood
Skype: fleetwood1957

bongo7777

Thanks for your very knowledgeable reply Bob. I sat in my 58 today and I can see about half of the mirror and that is better than nothing! I also agree it balances out the car.
I did think Cadillac must have supplied the right hand mirror as I have a factory pic of the same model as my car pictured with one.
I also had a good look at my mirror and it has without doubt been there been there from day one.
Graham.
Graham Waddingham.
1941 Cadillac Sedanette, 1942 Sedanette, 1955 Fleetwood, 1955 Meteor Hearse,
1956 Sedan DeVille, 1956 Fleetwood 75, 1956 Eldorado,
1957 Fleetwood, 1957 Eldorado, 1958 Fleetwood 75 series, 1959 75 Limousine, 1960 Flat Top, 1960 Limousine, 1960 Fleetwood, 1960 convertible. 1953 Cadillac 75 Imperial Derham, 1949 Cadillac Imperial,

bongo7777

Hello Ken,
If I can't get a 57/58 RH mirror for my 57 I will fit a 56 I think.  There is not a huge difference and only "the pure" would be able to tell!!!   I may be able to help with a 56 mirror for your car, I think I have 2.
Graham.
0417-610-777
Graham Waddingham.
1941 Cadillac Sedanette, 1942 Sedanette, 1955 Fleetwood, 1955 Meteor Hearse,
1956 Sedan DeVille, 1956 Fleetwood 75, 1956 Eldorado,
1957 Fleetwood, 1957 Eldorado, 1958 Fleetwood 75 series, 1959 75 Limousine, 1960 Flat Top, 1960 Limousine, 1960 Fleetwood, 1960 convertible. 1953 Cadillac 75 Imperial Derham, 1949 Cadillac Imperial,

TonyZappone #2624

Someone must have thought there was enough demand for a right hand mirror to reproduce them.  Now that I recall, the one that I finally had installed on my car was definitely a repo:  it was very heavy, either cast from brass or bronze.
Tony Zappone, #2624
1936 Pierce-Arrow conv sed
1947 Cadillac Conv cpe
1958 Cadillac conv
2016 Cadillac CT6 Platinum
2022 Chrysler Pacifica Pinnacle

bongo7777

There seems to be a lot more 59 and 60 model RH mirrors available and you can get a repro 55/56 ok.
The 57/58 repro was available for a short time I was told, but no longer available.
Graham Waddingham.
1941 Cadillac Sedanette, 1942 Sedanette, 1955 Fleetwood, 1955 Meteor Hearse,
1956 Sedan DeVille, 1956 Fleetwood 75, 1956 Eldorado,
1957 Fleetwood, 1957 Eldorado, 1958 Fleetwood 75 series, 1959 75 Limousine, 1960 Flat Top, 1960 Limousine, 1960 Fleetwood, 1960 convertible. 1953 Cadillac 75 Imperial Derham, 1949 Cadillac Imperial,

D.Yaros

While I have not looked specifically, I would think Original Parts Group (OPGI) would have this?

I have seen them for my '55, and yes it was an available option from the factory.  However, as has been noted it is useless, and the cost is $184 + S&H!
Dave Yaros
CLC #25195
55 Coupe de Ville
92 Allante
62 Olds  

You will find me on the web @:
http://GDYNets.atwebpages.com  -Dave's Den
http://graylady.atwebpages.com -'55 CDV site
http://www.freewebs.com/jeandaveyaros  -Saved 62 (Oldsmobile) Web Site
The home of Car Collector Chronicles.  A  monthly GDYNets newsletter focusing on classic car collecting.
http://www.scribd.com/D_Yaros/

Bob Hoffmann CLC#96

#11
Reply to Ken & others,
McVeys has the RH mirror available for $377.
Dave, if you don't have first hand experience with RH mirrors of that era, don't assume they are"useless". Reread my post about what you can expect to see. I'm glad that they were reproduced. They are very rare & impossible to restore even if you do find a used one.
HTH, Bob
1968 Eldorado slick top ,white/red interior
2015 Holden Ute HSV Maloo red/black interior.
             
Too much fun is more than you can have.

bongo7777

I just returned from putting fuel in the 58 and took paticular notice of what I can and can't see.  Sitting in a "normal" position (I am 5'10") I can see through about half of the mirror BUT if I lean forward I can see almost all.
It certainly is worthwhile, especially if you drive on the "wrong" side of the road.

Thanks to all.
Graham.
Graham Waddingham.
1941 Cadillac Sedanette, 1942 Sedanette, 1955 Fleetwood, 1955 Meteor Hearse,
1956 Sedan DeVille, 1956 Fleetwood 75, 1956 Eldorado,
1957 Fleetwood, 1957 Eldorado, 1958 Fleetwood 75 series, 1959 75 Limousine, 1960 Flat Top, 1960 Limousine, 1960 Fleetwood, 1960 convertible. 1953 Cadillac 75 Imperial Derham, 1949 Cadillac Imperial,

Bob Hoffmann CLC#96

Graham, thanks for adding that fact. I forgot to mention it & I'm aware that it does make a difference.
Bob
1968 Eldorado slick top ,white/red interior
2015 Holden Ute HSV Maloo red/black interior.
             
Too much fun is more than you can have.

D.Yaros

Well, I guess it depends on how one defines "of that era"  I do have a RH mirror on my '62 Olds, and it is a useful aid, no doubt.  I have personally tested/tried/used the RH mirror on other Cads like mine, when investigating the purchase of one.  On my '55 CDV, where it would have to be placed makes it next to, if not totally, useless.  That is my humble opinion, and I am stuck with it!
Dave Yaros
CLC #25195
55 Coupe de Ville
92 Allante
62 Olds  

You will find me on the web @:
http://GDYNets.atwebpages.com  -Dave's Den
http://graylady.atwebpages.com -'55 CDV site
http://www.freewebs.com/jeandaveyaros  -Saved 62 (Oldsmobile) Web Site
The home of Car Collector Chronicles.  A  monthly GDYNets newsletter focusing on classic car collecting.
http://www.scribd.com/D_Yaros/

bongo7777

Hi Dave,
The 55 and 56 are a lot different to the 58 (the car we were discussing)  I agree it would not allow much vision, but it would look good!!
Graham.
Graham Waddingham.
1941 Cadillac Sedanette, 1942 Sedanette, 1955 Fleetwood, 1955 Meteor Hearse,
1956 Sedan DeVille, 1956 Fleetwood 75, 1956 Eldorado,
1957 Fleetwood, 1957 Eldorado, 1958 Fleetwood 75 series, 1959 75 Limousine, 1960 Flat Top, 1960 Limousine, 1960 Fleetwood, 1960 convertible. 1953 Cadillac 75 Imperial Derham, 1949 Cadillac Imperial,

D.Yaros

No doubt it would look good, but not for $184.00!!  ;D
Dave Yaros
CLC #25195
55 Coupe de Ville
92 Allante
62 Olds  

You will find me on the web @:
http://GDYNets.atwebpages.com  -Dave's Den
http://graylady.atwebpages.com -'55 CDV site
http://www.freewebs.com/jeandaveyaros  -Saved 62 (Oldsmobile) Web Site
The home of Car Collector Chronicles.  A  monthly GDYNets newsletter focusing on classic car collecting.
http://www.scribd.com/D_Yaros/

bongo7777

McVeys got back to me and they have a RH mirror for my 57 @ $377.00. It's a really nice car so it get's a RH mirror!  Besides, as I previously mentioned, it is a requirement for registration in Australia.
Graham Waddingham.
1941 Cadillac Sedanette, 1942 Sedanette, 1955 Fleetwood, 1955 Meteor Hearse,
1956 Sedan DeVille, 1956 Fleetwood 75, 1956 Eldorado,
1957 Fleetwood, 1957 Eldorado, 1958 Fleetwood 75 series, 1959 75 Limousine, 1960 Flat Top, 1960 Limousine, 1960 Fleetwood, 1960 convertible. 1953 Cadillac 75 Imperial Derham, 1949 Cadillac Imperial,