installing side mirrors on a 1948 De Soto - General Discussion

RE: installing side mirrors on a 1948 De Soto

WilliamNoble — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 23:38:22 +0000

First off, I completely forgot that I even posted this 11 years ago.

Second, yes - I know that the passenger-side mirror is basically useless.

And third, even though this car has been parked in my garage at home since 2019, I still haven't installed either of these mirrors. Just not high enough on the priority list.

Bill

RE: installing side mirrors on a 1948 De Soto

DavidFrank — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:55:43 +0000

@joemckee the passenger mirrors on both my '56 and '59 DeSotos are also mostly useless. If I lean over and have the mirror adjusted all the way out, I can use the passenger mirror for watching the garage door frame while backing out of the garage, but that's about it. As you said, they look good, but they are not very functional.

RE: installing side mirrors on a 1948 De Soto

Joe McKee — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 17:38:03 +0000

48 DeSoto side view mirrors. You do know you won't be able to see the right side mirror from the driver's seat, right? The pair will look great on

your car, though. I have a left/driver's side arm that needs rechroming and doesn't have the mirror.

Re: installing side mirrors on a 1948 De Soto

WilliamNoble — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 01:55:24 +0000

Some friends of mine own a couple of S-11's. I asked them if they knew where I could get a driver's-side mirror, and they said that had a pair of mirrors that they didn't like the way they look on their cars. So now I have them and I'm pretty sure that I'm going to like the way they look on my '48. (My '48 is in storage away from my home so that's one reason why I haven't yet gotten the mirrors put on yet.) I measured the diameter of the mirror; it's 4 inches.

Re: installing side mirrors on a 1948 De Soto

paulpresnell — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 16:53:39 +0000

Bill, where did you get your mirrors? I would like to have one for the drivers side, I don't like not having one out there. I have never seen one anywhere, I didn't even know they had them and I don't like the clip on mirrors. Paul

Re: installing side mirrors on a 1948 De Soto

TimMabry — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 01:52:10 +0000

The short trim piece will need to be very carefully pried off. I'd be worried about damaging the paint so a couple pieces of duct tape would be wise. They are held on by what I would call are brackets or retainers. In turn those are held on the body by screws. Once the trim piece is off it will be obvious how the mirrors mount. After the screws are removed simply mount the mirrors in the existing holes with stainless oval screws.And like Rodger said they are very fragile. I'm surprised you found not one mirror but a pair. I'll be repairing mine with a donor mirror. Could you please measure the circular piece and pass the dimension along to me?

Re: installing side mirrors on a 1948 De Soto

RodgerReddish — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 23:15:56 +0000

Hola Bill All The S-ll's had a Set of "Swan" Mirror's that any era buyer - could of bought. They fit where a small length of trim goes on each side. The Shaft seems to break --- so please watch out for this. *** They are also the same assembly part number ( 1244 497 ) for any Chrysler Division Car. There is a part number for each of The single Left or The single Right Sides if a person only wanted one mirror. *** The lower costing unit was mirror that clamps to the lip of The Door. The Trim is not touched --- unless one is cleaning. Both designs have a under five inch diameter mirror. ---------- In 1999 when we "got" our S-11 it had twin Rectangular Mirrors ( about the size of a Check Book ) - that are clamp on's. *** Rodger & Gabby COS

installing side mirrors on a 1948 De Soto

WilliamNoble — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 20:08:23 +0000

Appearently my 1948 Custom 4-dr sedan did not come with any outside mirrors when it was made. Somewhere along the line, one of the previous owners attached a mirror to the driver's-side door - which is not where it's supposed to be. I now have a correct pair of outside mirrors for my S-11. What I'd like to know is: 1. Is there a special tool to pop off the side tirm where the mirrors go (that little piece of trim ahead of the doors and behind the hood), or do I just use a flat-blade screwdriver? I don't want to damage the trim just in case the mirrors don't fit. 2. Any idea if the holes for the mirrors will already be there? Or will these have to be made? If they need to be made, what size? And what fasteners will I need? I looked in my shop manual, but didnt' find anything about installing exterior mirrors. Thanks. Bill