I am looking into buying it, but I need to know if it is a 70-early 72 Sylark rearview mirror w/maplight? And and what is the hole at the top of the mirror for? Any help apprecitated, thanks. :TU:
Looks identical to the mirror that lives in my convertible, and that mirror is a transplant from my '69 Delta 88. I used it because visually they seemed 100% identical and the '88's was in near perfect shape. My '70 Skylark is an early model year car
Andrew I think the Guide mirrors were generic and used across more than one line. The long ones which this oone is came in map and non map light. The non map light is being remade. There was a short mirror for some applications and it is also being remade sans map light. It looks like a mini version of the long one. It does not however look like some of the original short day/night mirrors like those on say on a 66 442.
That mirror looks like a '71 & earlier GM map light mirror. Used on many A-bodies, not just Buick. In '72 the rear was painted/coated black. The hole on top is to allow the conductor to enter & provide power to the light/switch. Conductor is tucked up along the top of the windshield, behind the windlace, then goes down to the dash area behind the A-pillar cover. An accessory that will plug into the fuse panel. Originally the wire ran down inside the mirror mounting arm. It exited the arm just above the mirror frame.
The stainless backed mirror like that shown was used 69-71 and carried part number 981533. That number was kept in 72 but they went to a black back for most of the year. The break between the two types does not seem to be clean as some claim to have had a stainless backed one on early 72s.
I started a thread awhile ago talking about the mirrors and when they went to the black backed, and becuase of federal regulation the stainless mirrors were used from 70- early 72. My 72 was built in September of 71, so it got the stainless backed mirror. There are a few folks here and there like me on this site that have the stainless mirrors from the factory on their 72's also. I just wanted to make sure this mirror was out of a skylark before purchasing it. So thanks to all for the help and concern. :beer
The odd thing is, I have seen new stainless back mirrors in Y1's catalog, but they mention the Fed reg and it says 'for show only' is that law still on the books? I know it's reflective surfaces in front of the driver, but technically my ride's in violation then, unless it's grandfathered in. I care not one little teensy bit about that stupid law, I'm just curious. i mean, easting, drinking, reading the paper, and whatnot are illegal too while driving, but the cops don't know about the laws, obviously, at least around here. I see CDs hanging from rear-views all the time, reflecting nicely...nobody ever gets pulled over for that Still, this is a nice little bit of info i had forgotten about. It will be nice to mention during my annual inspection- you know, the time when an idiot who can't tie his shoes tells you that you don't have shoulder belts so you car fails inspection? Or that your front discs are out of spec so you need work, but you demonstrably have four drum brakes? :laugh: Some of the techs nowadays refuse to beleive I have four drums Anyway, I'm way off topic here. Nice looking mirror. I did find one thing about mine, though- the stalk was ever so slightly angled wrong. I swapped them out. I think that if the windsheild hadn't been in, it would have gone in, but as it was, no dice
