Inside Rearview Mirror for Open Car

[mbowen]

I just purchased the repro inside mirror for open cars (T-7853-X) from Snyder’s. It came without mounting hardware or even so much as a picture or drawing of the installation. From my recollection of ones I’ve seen, the photo shows what I believe to be the correct orientation, which will also work with the top up. The windshield frame on my ‘24 Touring has no mounting holes at all. I’ve read where some are centered, and some are off center either way a few inches. Is there a prescribed or preferred location? I would like to leave room for eventually installing at least a manual wiper.

Another question is the best way to mount it. Is there some sort of clamp system available to keep from drilling holes in the windshield frame? If not, can I just drill and tap one side of the frame (#10 or #12?) or drill through holes and use screws and nuts?

[John Codman]

I had never taken a close look at the mirror fastening system on my '27. It turns out that it's bracket just snaps over the top of the windshield frame; there are no fasteners involved.

[John kuehn]

I’ve got a T open car frame that has mounting holes already drilled in it. I guess they are for a mirrow sometime in the past. I’ve wondered if Ford dealerships had a “correct way” to install them. As far as location that would be up to the driver I guess.

[DanTreace]

If drilling holes, be sure to keep holes above center or risk hitting the glass channel or edge of glass.

Placement is normally to right of center for angle of mirror to drivers eyes.


The wiper hole is approx. 12" in from the edge of the driver's upper windshield frame.

The pair of holes for the mirror are approx. the same distance, the farther hole for the mirror being about 12" from the wiper hole.

Might be option to use high grade double side adhesive tape or 3M body molding tapes or adhesives. The mirror and frame is light weight.

[mbowen]

Thanks Dan, I hadn’t thought of using adhesives; I think I may have some good double-sided tape around here from a previous project.

[Oldav8tor]

I have some plastic clamps that will fit over the windshield tube. I was going to install a mirror but didn't like how much of the forward view the mirror blocked off due to my height. I would suggest setting it off to the right side somewhat. You know how to contact me

Also - Just my opinion, but the mechanical wiper hangs down right in front of the driver - very irritating. It's almost useless. I RainX my windshield and even in heavy rain the rain beads up and quickly runs off. I have no difficulty seeing out the windshield in rain.

[John kuehn]

I bought a side mirror and mount from Snyder’s for my 21 Touring. It’s a nice stable mount that mounts on the windshield mounting screws on the windshield hinges. Works great and no drilling if you want to remove it. Not the original style inside mirrow but looks good.

[Original Smith]

I believe Ford drilled all the windshield frames for the wiper, and the RV mirror whether you were going to use those items or not, beginning in late 1924. If you choose to drill the holes, find a late 1924 or later windshield frame for a sample. I don't think the mirror is perfectly centered.

[Oldav8tor]

My early '17 windshield (Sept. 1916) is drilled for a wiper but not a mirror. The hole looks factory but may have been owner drilled. No wiper is installed.

Miles - before drilling any holes you should try my clamp - move it around and see where the mirror works best.

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

Miles,
The placement of the mirror on my '25 Touring...

[mbowen]

Thank you Jerry. Using Dan’s measurements, the mirror looks too far to the right with the right hole nearly 2/3 of the way across the windshield frame. I found some “spring grips” at Home Depot that will let me try various positions without adhesives or drilling holes. Right now I have it dead center (about 2-3/8” to the left of yours) and it seems to work and look fine, though I haven’t yet driven it in traffic, and haven’t taken into account how a windshield wiper might fit with it.

[TWrenn]

Sad part is they jiggle so much they're practically useless

[Chuck Regan]

My ‘26 RPU

[mbowen]

Sad part is they jiggle so much they're practically useless

True with the cheap stamped clamp-on outside mirror, but I drove this inside rear view mirror on some fairly rough grass about 20mph and it did pretty well.

[Allan]

I wonder why modern cars have the mirror mounted in the centre? Their larger rear window makes for better rear viewing. With the small rear window/s in soft top model T's having the mirror offset makes little sense. You then have to set the mirror at a greater angle, which may/may not be achievable with the brackets supplied.

Allan from down under.

[Mark Gregush]

Sad part is they jiggle so much they're practically useless

Also, as soon as you open the windshield you have to fuss with it to be able to see what is behind you.

[Original Smith]

I have a 1925 with the original factory holes. The mirror doesn't vibrate. It does the job it is supposed to do.

[Chuck Regan]

My ‘26 (pictured above) mirror works fine and adjusts easily with the top glass closed or tilted open. I’m surprised how effective the hand-operated wiper is with mist or light sprinkling.

[Daisy Mae]

Mirror...phooie....
I wanna know about that Cessna tail dragger!!

Lucky dog.... while I'm fortunate to have a 24x40 shop, if I were single I'd live in an airport hanger with my toys!! LOL

[mbowen]

I’ve been using the white spring grips from Home Depot (see my July 31 post) on the Michigan Jamboree tours to mount the inside mirror, and I have to say I’m impressed: minimal jiggle and no noticeable blockage of the view forward. They place the mirror slightly above the windshield frame but not so high as to interfere with the top. Sometime after I get home I’m going to paint them black and call it good.

[SurfCityGene]

Miles, It looks like you have a pretty nice looking bracket with good contact surface so this is Another Perfect job for the Amazing ULTRA BLACK from Permetex!! I see a lot of cobbled up ungodly attempts for mounting a little light weight mirror and yours could be very neat and professional looking.

Ultra Black is perfect for the job. Every T should have a tube in their tool box

[Original Smith]

I just checked my 1925 pickup which has the original upper windshield frame, and Ford R.V. Mirror, and the dimension 14 1/4" is exactly the same.