Hello,

I’m currently working on a frame-off restoration on a 1967 Olds 442.

The car has a left side mirror, but it’s never had a right side mirror. I’d like to add a right side mirror and I want to make sure this right side mirror placement matches the precise location for a 1967 Olds 442.

If anyone is able to provide the following Right Side Mirror measurement for this vehicle, I’d greatly appreciate it:

• measurement from the front door edge (near fender) to the front of the chrome base of the side mirror. *see photo below for the measurement path from "A" to "B".

I've also attached a "right side mirror installation guide" for the mirror, but it doesn't contain any measurements, unfortunately. I know that taking the left side mirror measurements seems like an option, but I just want to be absolutely sure I get the placement as close to a stock 1967 Olds 442 right side mirror as I can before I start drilling.

Thanks in advance for any help you’re able to provide.





-Jack

 

I have installed the same mirror on my '67 about a year ago using the OEM template you have pictured. You can't use the driver side mirror for placement, as the passenger side mirror position does not match the driver side. The sight lines will not work and the mirror will be useless if you mount it symmetric with the driver side. Do you have the template or just the photo? If you have the template just use it and it will end up in exactly the right location. There are additional instructions with the template on which set of holes to use for pilot drilling. If you don't have the template itself I have mine saved somewhere but it will take me a least a week to get to my files to pull that folder.

Also, don't get your hopes up on how useful that mirror will be. The mirror is flat, meaning it has a very narrow field of vision to the rear. If you want rear visibility, you will have to glue on a convex mirror to give you a wider field of view. I couldn't find anything that was a perfect fit for the diameter. You can get something relatively close but it will not look original if that is what you are after. I installed the mirror for better visibility as I drive the car in long road rallies and was tired of the crappy visibility on that side when I was on the highway. I ended up fitting it with a convex mirror.

 

my brother in law bought my 67 supreme new, and either factory or dealer installed right side mirror. the left is 16 inches, the right is 15 inches., measured as you requested.
i tried to get pics, but black car in dark shop = no usable pics.

 

Hello,

Thanks so much for the info. Looks like you’ve been down this road before.

When I was younger, I learned how to drive in vehicles without side mirrors and I got used to turning around while in the driver’s seat. I eventually added side mirrors and adapted. Now that I’m 82 and plan on occasionally driving this Olds once it’s ready, I want to make sure it’s safe. I feel the same as you that visibility is important.

Unfortunately, I only have the installation guide in the photo, and I don’t have the template. Sounds like the template is just what I need as well as the additional instructions on it.

I really appreciate you being willing to look for the template and feel free to reach out with any updates once you’re reunited with your files in a week or so.

Thanks again for the help.

 

Thank you for taking the time to take these measurements. I really appreciate it!

 

I own an A body without a right rear mirror, and an A body with sport mirrors. The 67 mirror will be a little bit better than the sport mirror. I also own a van with a straight glass mirror that my dad put a fisheye wide angle on.

I can tell you that the mirror is only slightly useful in normal driving. If it were to fall off, you would not miss it. The only things it is good for is parallel parking (seeing your rear tire to the curb) and backing into a garage (seeing your quarter panel to the doorway.) The trick with these mirrors is that they need to be both large and wide angle lens. If they are neither, they are worthless. If they are one of them, they are slightly useful. Both is good.

All that being said, for stock installation, the front hole is center 17 and 3/8". The front point of the mirror chrome, is 15/16ths less, as in 16 and 7/16" from the front edge of the door per my template.

You will need a right side mirror. It is not the left side mirror.

I also want to emphasize that the front to back location on the door will not affect your vision through the mirror. The most important thing for you to do is tape the mirror securely to the door where you want it, and go for a low speed drive with someone holding it down and helping the tape. The tape will keep it from moving, your buddy will help it from falling off. Make sure you can see out the mirror in that spot. If not, find a spot that works. Really, all you are doing is dodging the vent window frame, but, hopefully, the distance here, and the one you experimentally confirm, will be the same. In other words, the mirror does not have to be in the right spot from the factory, it has to be in a spot where you can see from it. That should be the same, but, function trumps dimension here.

 

 

FYI, try auto-glass.com for a convex replacement mirror glass to provide a better sight picture. The outside mirror glass in a 1967 Cutlass is easily replaced by removing the snap ring which holds the glass in place. There is a spring behind the mirror glass which you have to overcome by applying pressure to the glass while removing the snap ring.