Hello ,
As i get older i realize i depend on the right hand side Mirror more for driving . I have to tell you sometimes when i am backing up i look down at the dash for the camera that is not there . Has anyone purchased the right hand side mirror for a 1968 -1970 Cadillac Deville from the Original Parts Group ? And if you did were you satified with the quality ?
Thanks ,
Bill
https://www.opgi.com/mirrors-hardware/outside-mirrors/1968-70-outer-mirrors/ce16393.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwn8SLBhAyEiwAHNTJbRidFEDPsKtQmBmSpMXYhyDehCL256CW-aOC0oEAi_zdbpcGL8SscRoCKXcQAvD_BwE
It didn't appear that one purchaser was very happy. They claimed it to be flimsy and rattled. The seller did off a refund or exchange. For $250 I would at least expect it to be remotely controlled. Every time that you close the door the mirror moves. And that's with the factory mirrors.
You can get a backup camera installed. Comes with license plate mount and a view screen. Put in the glove box or on a flip up bracket, if you don't want it to show. There's one that changes the rear view mirror to video.
I've been using them on my boat for years now. The modern radios accept video feed so no second screen. I can back right up to the hitch where I used to have to get out to check and adjust. I can't see behind the boat when the cover is on. One day the police were trying to stop me, that started this deal.
They should put those "car next door" warning lights on any side mirror. These low cars can sneak up on you. Lots of blind spot on a big P/U or Caddy.
Those are repo's, icky. Better to find a good original one used. Jeff Berland, John Abend, maybe Charles Fares should have them.
My experience with the 1963 repro mirror was quite the opposite. It was a spot-on faithful reproduction, accurate in both dimension and finish. I'd buy the 63 right hand mirror in a heartbeat over any old used one that did not appear as NOS. The reviews for that one are excellent as well, although I don't place much stock in reviews posted on sales sites.
I'd ask around for more opinions from people who actually bought and mounted this particular model.
For the function you are looking to get, it may be that the rearview camera is a better option though. The mirrors are fairly limited in view angle.
The factory RH mirror for 1968, and for 1969-70, was not a remote control mirror. They were dealer-installed. The 1968 is different from the 1969-70 in the method of mounting. Having had a 1968, and still having a 69 and a 70 with the RH mirror, I can state from experience that once manually adjusted, they will hold the adjustment because the adjustable mirror head is very tight-fitting. Years of opening and closing the door, and repeated washings and waxings, never altered the adjustment.
In my days of trolling the southern California salvage yards, I got every one of these in decent condition I could find. I no longer have any of these.
I haven't seen one of the reproductions in person, so I can't assess the quality or lack thereof. The reproductions do simplify the mounting. Threaded studs on the mirror base go through drilled holes in the door skin, and hex bolts and lock washers are installed from inside the door to retain it to the door.
Charles Fares
I sympathize with looking for a mirror or screen that isn't there. My problem is that my brain says "all clear" because there isn't a car in the spot I just glanced at.
I installed a static manual mirror on another classic and it solved my problem. The mirror holds fine but I am usually not closing the passenger door very often anyway.
I'm still debating what to do with my Cadillac mirror.
Bill,
I have an NOS right hand mirror new in the box with mounting pad, special fasteners, and the original template.
It's the right part for your car but since it's new in the box and complete it's not inexpensive.
There is a clown on eBay that thinks these are worth like $2200 or more for the Eldo version.
If you are interested let me know. It's $1000.00.
That is my review on the OPG website and I stand by it.
The re-pop mirror from OPG is disappointing to say the least. It rattles and moves any time I hit a bump. Now that I have holes in my door, I'm leaving it installed until I get the car repainted.
I'm sorry to hear of your problems with OPG repro outside mirrors. I purchased a set (left and right hand) while they were on sale for my '60 CDV two years ago. I found them to be very well made and identical to the originals. I did have to relocate the right hand mirror slightly to make it usable. The factory position did not work because of the wing vent blocking most of the view. Since I drive my vehicles in traffic, I wanted to safely see traffic when changing lanes and merging.
Best,
Michael Heinz, Director
West Michigan CLC #27227
This topic is about 68 to 70 RH mirrors. Maybe the 60 mirrors were OK. Not relevant to this discussion.
Bob
Quote from: Bob Hoffmann CLC#96 on October 22, 2021, 12:41:24 AM
This topic is about 68 to 70 RH mirrors. Maybe the 60 mirrors were OK. Not relevant to this discussion.
Bob
And the 68 is different from the 69-70.
I'm VERY well aware of that fact. However... the repro mirrors are one base for all 3 years.
Quote from: Bob Hoffmann CLC#96 on October 22, 2021, 12:41:24 AM
This topic is about 68 to 70 RH mirrors. Maybe the 60 mirrors were OK. Not relevant to this discussion.
Bob
Bob, I think his point was about the quality of the mirrors from OPGI. His experience with reproduction mirrors was good. I pretty sure that was his point.
For my '60, knowing that the factory rh mirror is useless, I got a wide angle (180 degree) clip-on rear view mirror. Yes, it's much bigger than the original, but it is easily removable /transferable between cars, and at a couple of shows I've forgotten to take it down, and it's not really noticeable. $60 from Hammacher-Schlemner. Very well-made; says on and doesn't rattle.
I have this vague notion of installing an iPad or some such on a slider under the dash to serve such purposes, but hide itself for display.
Rear camera, right mirror camera assorted gauges . . .
I jut haven't flushed it out yet.
Quote from: chrisntam on October 22, 2021, 05:56:22 AM
Bob, I think his point was about the quality of the mirrors from OPGI. His experience with reproduction mirrors was good. I pretty sure that was his point.
Hi Chris,
OPG buys parts from vendors & sells them. Maybe the vendor
who did the 61/62 mirrors did a good job. And maybe the vendor that did the 68 to 70 mirrors did a bad job. Let's assume two DIFFERENT vendors. So... the fact that the poster that had good luck with the 61/62 mirrors has nothing to do with what is happening with the 68 to 70 mirrors.
Bob
While on the subject of OPGI, I was ordering a half dozen small & lightweight parts online from them a few days ago.
All could easily be shipped in a small box weighing less than 4 lbs but the shipping & handling cost was showing as $81 by USPS and $45 for FedEx Ground.
Called & spoke to a live person and he confirmed the price with the explanation that 'gas is over $7/gallon here in California' and the shipping cost 'must be correct'. Great but the USPS cost should be about $20 and you are upcharging $61 for shipping & handling?
He confirmed my estimated weight of about 4 lbs but apparently one of the parts was triggering the shipping calculator to believe the required box was 60" long hence an oversize charge. He reviewed specs for each of the parts and none stood out to him for having incorrect shipping size requirements.
Sales guy spoke to a Supervisor who allowed me to be charged $19.95 for shipping and the order is on the way now.
Disregarding any quality issues, its good to use common sense when ordering online or over the phone to avoid needlessly being overcharged.
Those companies are making profit on the shipping, not on parts.
Quote from: Roger Zimmermann on October 24, 2021, 01:00:02 PM
Those companies are making profit on the shipping, not on parts.
Just like Rock Auto. You have to do your due diligence before hitting the order button. I just bought a lot of parts from them that had I bought them at the local outlet, it would have been a lot more. But the shipping costs and the way it is packaged is out of this world.
I bought two front calipers for the '69 FWB from an Ebay outfit. They were incorrect and I asked for a return label and a refund. I had to go through Ebay to get the process started as they are trying to wait out their 30 day return policy so I am stuck with the parts. I ended up just rebuilding the calipers myself for about 1% of the cost of new. They only have a 3 hour time differential, not a 3 week time differential. I want my $140 back.