Is this an original mirror?

[DH Comet]

Does anyone know if this is an original side mirror for a '53 Manhattan?  They're both there on the car but they only adjust at the neck, so they're not that useful and I wouldn't mind replacing them.  If I pry off that metal plug I wonder if I'll find a screw underneath.  Prying it off looks like it will wreck the plug, though.  Anyone have ideas?

[Bob G]

Will the plug unscrew? If it is supposed to it may take some doing after possibly many years in-place.

[Gordie]

That is an aftermarket mirror that is similar in style to the original.  There were two styles of outside rear view mirrors for the 1951-55 Kaisers.  One is a clamp-on mirror part #100142 that mounted on the door edge ahead of the vent window and the deluxe mirror was mounted on the door below the rear of the vent window, part #100143,  Illustrations are on Jim Betts site.  Parts and Accessories Bulletin 4-A April 14, 1951  They are apparently the same as used on the fifties Hudson and are very difficult to locate.

[DH Comet]

No, the plug won't unscrew. It looks like you have to pry it out.
I've gone on the Jim Betts site (I think) but I can't access the pictures.

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

This is the broadside as issued in early 1950.  Part numbers are good for all model years and makes.

[Gordie]

A little history on K-F outside mirrors.  An outside mirror was one of the first authorized accessories for K-F cars.  In December 1946 the first one was announced for the left side only and it was the clamp on style. #200011  Customers wanted a matching right side mirror also so in March 1947 it became available as a match for the left side mirror. #200010  In October 1948 a new outside mirror was announced that would be interchangeable for use on either side and it was similar in appearance to the old mirrors but now the dealers only had to order one mirror instead of two. #200022.  These mirror heads were all 4 inches in diameter.  For the new 1951 cars the new styles noted above were offered for the first time with the deluxe mirror #100143 being brand new and the clamp on mirror now having a 4 1/2 inch diameter mirror head #100142.  These were the final mirrors offered by K-F and all will work on your car but these are the styles that are correct for your year car.  1947-1950 clamp on with 4 inch diameter head.  1951-1955 either style but the clamp on mirrors now have the larger mirror head.

[DH Comet]

It looks like mine are very much like the original deluxe ones, but I don't see any sign in the original picture of the plug that mine have.  I suppose that kind of detail might not make it into the advertisement!  I can't adjust mine at all; the driver's side is not bad, but the right side just looks out into nothing.  I think I'll try prying off the plug on the right and see what happens!

[Gordie]

Try squirting some lubricant  into the socket where it is supposed to swivel.  It is probably frozen from not being moved for many years.  The original mirrors do not have the plug but I suspect that there is a screw that attaches the mirror to the door under the plug.

[MarkH]

Go for the penetrating lubricant and a liberal dose of patience. If/when it does move, go in small steps & plenty of lube. Old die cast can be surprisingly brittle.

[DH Comet]

I started lubing and working it in January - it's putting up a good fight! On both sides, the neck will turn around, but the mirror dish won't move. It happens that the driver's side mirror was at a good angle. The car sat for 30 years, so it's pretty settled in!

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

The broadside picture is accurate.  The 1952 Accessory Parts Price List shows the part numbers on the broadside as factory OK for all years and makes.  The original driver side p/n was 200011 and was replaced by the item shown in the broadside.