71 rear view mirror

[StevenF]

Dear Pagoda Family,
I wanted to wish each and everyone a Happy Holiday Season and a Happy & Healthy New Year!

My question is : I have a 71 rear view mirror that has pretty bad glass.
Does anyone have any experience removing the glass?  I have heard that the glass does not remove.

Please let me know your thoughts

Regards
Steven

[mdsalemi]

Hello Steven,

Happy Holidays to you and your family as well.

My car initially had an "incorrect" all chrome rear view mirror, (pre-68 or so; someone may chime in with the chassis VIN when the switch was made) which I had replated, restored with new glass AND new mirror, and sold on eBay years ago. As mine is a 1969, the later style with the matte chrome neck and plastic body is the correct one. I actually had the correct one in a box; my guess is my uncle found a chrome one at a "pick and pull" junkyard on Long Island back in the 70s and like it, so he swapped it, saving the old one.

Anyway, I did the same thing to the newer style, changing the glass and mirror. I don't remember this being any issue but I could not tell you how I did it. I do know that I took it apart (easily); had bought a pre-cut mirror from Miller's years ago, had a local glass shop cut the front glass, and snapped it all back together. The fact that I did this without present recollection means it was a pretty simple task. It's been so long I think it's due again...

[doitwright]

I think I read somewhere on this forum that a heat gun helps soften the plastic just enough to remove/install the mirror.

[StevenF]

Mike,
Thank you for your response.  I will make my 1st thing to do after the winter.

 I also want to wish you and yours a Happy Holiday Season as well!

Best Regards
Steven

[Pawel66]

Hello Steven,

Happy Holidays to you and your family as well.

My car initially had an "incorrect" all chrome rear view mirror, (pre-68 or so; someone may chime in with the chassis VIN when the switch was made)

Michael,

In the attachment you will find what EPC says about mirror change.

I have 1970 car with all chrome mirror and it is the correct mirror for my car because that is what my wife said when she saw both versions.

[450sl]

My 1970 car came with the black plastic mirror.

[Jonny B]

I looked back at the list of changes, and the interior rear view mirror is listed as one of the changes at the ever popular "big" change on the 250 SL, and VIN 2980. A friend of mine with a late 250 SL has the black plastic mirror.

My 280 SL is a Sept 1969 build and it has the black mirror, sort of a black crinkled finish.

[Tyler S]

My late 250sl vin 34** has the black plastic mirror housing with the matte chrome stock. Whats interesting is the crinkle finish on the plastic is slightly different than later (280sl). Its a tighter grain patern. I noticed this on another late 250sl and a low vin 68 280sl.

[wjsvb ✝︎]

If you need something to keep driving with 'til you get yours fixed, I have several 108 mirrors.  They pop right in and you can have one for the price of postage.  Jon

[StevenF]

Jon,
Thank you so much for the offer, but my mirror is good to drive with...I just want to do my due diligence so that when the winter clears here in NY, I can get all my ducks in a row for my spring projects.

Best,
Steven

[neelyrc]

My late 250sl vin 34** has the black plastic mirror housing with the matte chrome stock. Whats interesting is the crinkle finish on the plastic is slightly different than later (280sl). Its a tighter grain patern. I noticed this on another late 250sl and a low vin 68 280sl.

My 280sl, Jan 1969 build, vin 007749 also has the matte chrome stock and the black mirror with a fine crinkle finish.  I have not compared it with others to see if the crinkle is more or less course. Next large event!!

[Pawel66]

Ok, if the VIN number in the EPC is the number when the mirror changed (043 002979), then if you check this:

https://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/USModelYear

we have the date July 1967, if I am not mistaken, when the change was made.

[Jonny B]

Yes, that is correct. The mid year change was mainly to comply with a large number of US Department of Transportation mandated safety changes, mid-year 1967.