Donnelly, Standard, Ajax and ?

[Edward B.]

Hi folks. Ed Bertrand here. I just joined the NCRS and have a question.We know that outside rear view mirrors were supplied Donnelly (DMI), Ajax (AX) and Standard (S inside a circle), but does anyone have any info on a mirror with the markings 8-XV-7? I'm trying to figure out who manufactured the XV mirror and am having no luck.ThanksEd

[Rick A.]

Re: Donnelly, Standard, Ajax and ?

Ed,

First - welcome to NCRS and the TDB!

Second - would be nice to know what year you are asking about

[Edward B.]

Re: Donnelly, Standard, Ajax and ?

Thanks for the welcome Rick. I appreciate it.

This particular mirror is from an early 68 (C3). I'm assuming the date code format is the same as Donnelly, so it would be August, 1967. I've seen tons of "Donnelly" and "Ajax" mirrors, and a few "Standard" mirrors, but I've never run up against an "XV" mirror so I'm curious as to who they are, and if anyone else has ever seen an XV mirror!

Ed

[Edward J.]

Re: Donnelly, Standard, Ajax and ?

Ed, I would bet the date maybe more like 87 or 97 , I The last GM mirror I brought was was around 2008 for my 72 its was has a bigger head than the originals of that time era. So if anyone knows the present manuf. it would be Joe Lucia. maybe he will see this post.

[Edward B.]

Re: Donnelly, Standard, Ajax and ?

Ed (Great name by the way!), it could still be a later issue, but it's the "small head" mirror (see attached) used from 68-74.

I just purchased it off of EBAY because I'm doing a mirror report for the CAMARO RESEARCH GROUP (of which I'm a core member), and I was looking for an example of the "Standard" logo for the report. I have plenty of "Donnelly" and "Ajax" mirror examples, but none with the "Standard" S inside the circle. When I stumbled accross this one I asked the seller for a picture, but he couldn't get a clear shot of the logo so I went ahead and bought it! He's adamant that it's 8-XV-7, so hense my quest. I'll know for sure in a few days when it shows up, and I'll post a picture of the logo.

But anyway, I've never seen an XV coded mirror before so if anyone has any info on the manufacturer, please let me know. Also, I never did find a "Standard" logo mirror, so if anyone has one of those, please let me know!!

Thanks
Ed

[Rick A.]

Re: Donnelly, Standard, Ajax and ?

Ed,

Agree that more than likely mirror glass is from 1987 or 1997 and NOT original glass. Surprised that Joe Lucia has not chimed in

[Mark D.]

Re: Donnelly, Standard, Ajax and ?

I've said, for most of my life, given a choice, go with Donnelly or Donnally. You simply can't go wrong.

[Edward J.]

Re: Donnelly, Standard, Ajax and ?

Ed, There are two people on the TDB that may know of the mirror makers for GM its Joe Luica, John Hinckly. You can send either of them a PM. I am sure they maybe able to answer this, I am interested in what they have to say.

[Edward B.]

Re: Donnelly, Standard, Ajax and ?

I know John (he's also a core member of the Camaro Research Group), but no go on that one. Maybe Joe will see this and comment.

Ed

[Edward B.]

Re: Donnelly, Standard, Ajax and ?

Mystery solved! Not unusual to find, this mirror glass was installed upside down, so the date code was on the bottom of the glass instead of the top, and the ebay seller misread it as 8-XV-7. It's actually L-AX-8, which is an Ajax mirror from December, 1968.

I can't use it because I have a late 69 (October, 1969 to be exact), but it IS in very good condition for being 45 years old! No pitting, but it HAS had the typical "punch" marks done around the ball to keep the head from flopping about.

Ed

[Terry M.]

Re: Donnelly, Standard, Ajax and ?

Ed,
Which way is right side up? I have always wondered if the mirror should go with the longer dimension up or down? I have seen it both ways, and I expect the best rearward vision would depend on the altitude of the driver.

[Edward B.]

Re: Donnelly, Standard, Ajax and ?

"Normally" the date code is at the top of the mirror, but it's not unusual to see it at the bottom (with the date code upside down). Apparently the people that originally attached the glass to the head didn't care one way or another. As for the head itself, from the factory it was positioned parallel to the floor (see attached), but I've seen a lot of them perpendicular to the floor. I guess it makes for better viewing but I've never tried it.

By the way, pardon the dust. I rarely drive the car so it sits in the garage and gets dusty.

Ed

[Terry M.]

Re: Donnelly, Standard, Ajax and ?

"Normally" the date code is at the top of the mirror, but it's not unusual to see it at the bottom (with the date code upside down). Apparently the people that originally attached the glass to the head didn't care one way or another. As for the head itself, from the factory it was positioned parallel to the floor (see attached), but I've seen a lot of them perpendicular to the floor. I guess it makes for better viewing but I've never tried it.

By the way, pardon the dust. I rarely drive the car so it sits in the garage and gets dusty.

Ed

The pivot is not at the center of the horizontal edges in the photo you posted. If one rotates the mirror 180* from your view (and I did for my driving comfort) the view over the rear fender is enhanced. At least it was for my height. In my previous post I was not meaning to suggest rotating the mirror 90* from your view, although as you suggest that could be done but I fail to see the advantage of that -- in fact I think it would be a distinct disadvantage because it would increase ones blind spot.

[Edward B.]

Re: Donnelly, Standard, Ajax and ?

I think I see where you're going with this. Flip it 180* and it raises the head about an inch therefore, better visability. I agree with what you said about flipping it 90*. I see no advantage doing this.

Ed