Mirror with map light built in

[davepl]

The accessory book shows a mirror with a map light. That's modestly interesting, but my '69 Pontiac 2+2 came with it from the factory, and its the only car that I've ever seen (I have the build sheet, not a dealer add).

I remember it vividly because when I was 3 it shorted out and sparks shot everywhere and my Mom had to cut the wire with fingernail clipper from her purse. Then, even more traumatic, I had to pay someone to restore it 40 years later because it was rare and the mirror was aging...

Anyway, it's cool that these were truck accessories, but has anyone seen them as factory options in Impalas or anywhere else?

[chewychevy67]

I took one out of a 69 pontiac full size which I used in my 67 mirror. I have never seen one in anything but pontiac. Instead of using the 69 arm I made it work with my 67 arm. The only thing is it is a 12" mirror and you can't move the visors down without it hitting the mirror.

[bronze 72 super]

You say Accessory Book, but what years? I deal mostly in '71-'72 and have Accessory Booklets for both years, and no mention of this option. Must be for information for earlier years. How ever Map Light Mirrors were available as an option for all '70 model year passenger cars. I have one in my El Camino. It was part as the Auxilary Lighting Group RPO NO. ZJ9. Very common years ago. Seen lots of these in cars, most common in Impalas and Caprices years ago. Don't know about other makes of G.M. but it was more that likely available as an option. And this option I'm sure was available for other years too.
Hope this helps out a bit. I still have one of these mirrors stashed away!!

[davepl]

Originally Posted by bronze 72 super

You say Accessory Book, but what years? I deal mostly in '71-'72 and have Accessory Booklets for both years, and no mention of this option. Must be for information for earlier years. How ever Map Light Mirrors were available as an option for all '70 model year passenger cars. I have one in my El Camino. It was part as the Auxilary Lighting Group RPO NO. ZJ9. Very common years ago. Seen lots of these in cars, most common in Impalas and Caprices years ago. Don't know about other makes of G.M. but it was more that likely available as an option. And this option I'm sure was available for other years too.
Hope this helps out a bit. I still have one of these mirrors stashed away!!

"1970 Accessories Catalog", branded GMC with a little fat dude on the cover.

Thanks for the tip on the mirrors! Mine was a stripper that came with very few options but EVERY lighting option possible, for some reason. Glad to hear they're on Caprices and US Pontiacs as well if I need to hunt one down!

I notice in the book the mount is different. Is that to be able to fish the wire? Never looked to see if you can fish a wire through a normal mount.

[71blksuper4x4]

Have one in my 70' Chevelle. Seen plenty of them in Buicks, Pontiacs, and Chevrolets. They were an option thru the muscle car era. Trevor

[In The Ten Ring]

Wow, you'd think the 1976 Pontiac Granville would have that. I have one for parts and it doesn't have that (as far as I know).

[67swb72klb]

I have had two or three A body cars that have had those mirrors

[70cst]

I don't think our truck (67-72) was available with that option ... other thoughts?

[davepl]

Originally Posted by 70cst

I don't think our truck (67-72) was available with that option ... other thoughts?

Factory-authorized GMC accessory as pictured in the picture - hence the picture :-)

I guess they're not as uncommon as I thought - I'd never seen another in Canada (where I grew up) ever. But all we had were poverty cars with no options, at least on the prairies. Even map lights were rare...

[bronze 72 super]

I checked both of my Accessories Booklets for '71 and '72, no mention. I don't think this was a option for trucks, never seen or heard of it available.
Just went though my G.M. CHASSIS AND BODY PARTS CATALOG. Check pages 69-73 RPO LISTINGS. Map Light Mirrors not listed.
As far as I can tell this wasn't a option for our years pickups. This catalog covers all years, no listing, unless someone can prove me wrong.

[davepl]

Originally Posted by bronze 72 super

I checked both of my Accessories Booklets for '71 and '72, no mention. I don't think this was a option for trucks, never seen or heard of it available.
Just went though my G.M. CHASSIS AND BODY PARTS CATALOG. Check pages 69-73 RPO LISTINGS. Map Light Mirrors not listed.
As far as I can tell this wasn't a option for our years pickups. This catalog covers all years, no listing, unless someone can prove me wrong.

I never said it was an RPO. I said:

"Factory-authorized GMC accessory as pictured in the picture - hence the picture :-)"

Same as grille guards, spotlights, and so on. You can also find them in the 1970 GM Data Book, but I don't have one of those! This catalog covers ALL trucks, CA/KA1500-3500 as well as the HD units. Various products indicate where they are available (approved).

[bronze 72 super]

You are correct for this year (1970?). I also have a 1972 SALESMAN ACCESSORIES DATA CATALOG. Not listed for this year, I assume the same for '71.
This said, Map Light Mirrors must have been available only in the '70 model year, or a G.M.C. only option. Does this sound more accurate?
My information steers more towards Chevy than G.M.C.
I also have a 1970 Chevrolet Passenger Car Dealer Album, and a 1967 Dealer Album.

[davepl]

Originally Posted by bronze 72 super

This said, Map Light Mirrors must have been available only in the '70 model year, or a G.M.C. only option. Does this sound more accurate?

Not an option on the trucks. I define "option" as "RPO", or "Regular Production Option", as in a box you could check when placing a factory order. All of this stuff is stuff you'd buy at GM over the counter or, more likely, spec it and they'd install it when your truck came in for delivery prep.

My best guess for the mirrors specifically would be that they were an RPO on vehicles like Bonnevilles and Impalas and that GM offered them as an accessory for our trucks via the accessory catalog. That's about all I can claim!

I wonder how you'd wire it? Not like we have a headliner to hide the wire. I fished wire for my cab lights but I doubt they'd take that kind of time. Unfortunately most of the book has labor amounts but not the mirror.

[bronze 72 super]

On my El Camino, the wire for the mirror goes down the left side post, hidden by the post cover, than down to the fuse block. Simple installation.
It must have been the same on trucks, only more time consuming fishing the wire though the cab post.
Now since I have seen this thread, digging that mirror out of storage might come in usefull!!!

[davepl]

Originally Posted by bronze 72 super

On my El Camino, the wire for the mirror goes down the left side post, hidden by the post cover, than down to the fuse block. Simple installation.
It must have been the same on trucks, only more time consuming fishing the wire though the cab post.
Now since I have seen this thread, digging that mirror out of storage might come in usefull!!!

How does it get from the middle of the truck to the left side post without hanging in plain sight though?

[bronze 72 super]

I should have mention that the wire is hidden by the trim, on the top of the cab, to hide the headliner ends. Right on top of the windshield, inside. This trim goes from side to side.
That's what hides it. Can't see anything, unless this vinyl trim piece is removed.

[Spartan]

Dave, my guess would be a hole behind or next to the mirror then in between the roof panels to the pillar and down the pillar like marker lights. And you are correct in saying would take some time fishing it through.

Still a neat accessory to have in a custom camper. I'm cheap and lazy so I would just have my wife hold the dollar store flashlight.

Side note: my parents Buick had one. Station wagon. Can't say if it was approved accessory or if it was something my dad added from J. C. Whitney.

[special-K]

Just fish the wire between inner and outer body and down the post, This is how clearance lamps are wired.

What do you need a map light for, don't you have a navigation device or APP on your phone? That little man isn't fat, he is husky with a big head!

[davepl]

Originally Posted by special-K

Just fish the wire between inner and outer body and down the post, This is how clearance lamps are wired.

What do you need a map light for, don't you have a navigation device or APP on your phone? That little man isn't fat, he is husky with a big head!

I doubt a dealership in the 60s is going to do that fish job for a mirror on a truck. I mean that's how I'd do it and how I did my clearance lights, but it was no fun.

I wonder if that job is easier on a marker cab? Mine wasn't one. In the cab marker light section of the catalog (yes, they have those too) it says "Dealer hourly rate". No indication for the mirror though. If the time hides it, good enough!

I think his head is perfectly proportional. If you knew me, that'd make sense.

[invicta455]

my buick gs and wildcat has them

[davepl]

It'd be nice to know what the Chevrolet accessory book for 1970 had, and whether the available stuff was any different. Most of this is NOT branded GMC, but GM.

[noxqsz]

My '73 Corvette has one. Factory option.