CRG Discussion Forum

Camaro Research Group Discussion => Originality => Topic started by: Dusk Blue Z on March 16, 2014, 02:58:40 PM

Title: 1969 Camaro Left Side Ajax Mirror
Post by: Dusk Blue Z on March 16, 2014, 02:58:40 PM
According to CRG the DMI is the more prevalent mirror, the Ajax was a different supplier with not as many being used in production. I am looking for left side Ajax mirror dated C AX 9, or a lead to company that dates with AX. I can find the DMI dated coded as repop from Paragon, but they don't do the AX. Anyone found a place that does the Ajax?  Thanks.

Mike
Title: Re: 1969 Camaro Left Side Ajax Mirror
Post by: 69Z28 on March 16, 2014, 06:55:23 PM
I'm really uneducated on the Ajax mirrors. Is the C for March? Kind of curious why the mirror was used instead of the DMI. Possibly supply of DMI was out?, but why would there be a supply of DATED Ajax mirrors on hand for back up? Interesting topic.
Title: Re: 1969 Camaro Left Side Ajax Mirror
Post by: Dusk Blue Z on March 16, 2014, 07:56:08 PM
C is for March. Ajax used letters and DMI used numbers for the date codes. My guess would be that just like the bolts used on these cars, they wanted more than one supplier to avoid parts shortages. I think the DMI's are being repoped because they were used on the Corvettes.

Mike
Title: Re: 1969 Camaro Left Side Ajax Mirror
Post by: 69Z28 on March 17, 2014, 03:36:53 AM
GM must have had a good handle on dated mirror supplies and knew how many to order for what...a production week, or month maybe? And if there was an issue at DMI, Ajax's were ordered with the dates for production up to when DMI fixed whatever issue they were having. Is this how it went?
Title: Re: 1969 Camaro Left Side Ajax Mirror
Post by: Dusk Blue Z on March 17, 2014, 09:01:18 AM
My thought would be that GM just had two suppliers so they didn’t stop production due to being out of required part like a mirror. I am sure the parts were dated coded to track any manufacturing defects like the glass falling out because of bad glue, not that the dated part had to go on a vehicle assembled within a certain time frame. My C AX 9 mirror is on a 5A car.

Mike
Title: Re: 1969 Camaro Left Side Ajax Mirror
Post by: ko-lek-tor on March 17, 2014, 01:12:25 PM
GM must have had a good handle on dated mirror supplies and knew how many to order for what...a production week, or month maybe? And if there was an issue at DMI, Ajax's were ordered with the dates for production up to when DMI fixed whatever issue they were having. Is this how it went?
My thought would be that GM just had two suppliers so they didn’t stop production due to being out of required part like a mirror. I am sure the parts were dated coded to track any manufacturing defects like the glass falling out because of bad glue, not that the dated part had to go on a vehicle assembled within a certain time frame. My C AX 9 mirror is on a 5A car.

Mike

This supplier issue got me thinking. First, I am sure when GM has a contract with a supplier it is because GM felt the supplier could meet their demand, so something must have happened that prevented the supplier from fulfilling its contract. Could have been a labor issue, fire, or some equipment failure or downstream supplier (supplier to DMI). Ajax may have been another manufacturer supplier, like for Ford or Chrysler and GM may have had contracts that provided a backup plan, IE, different supplier in case of a mentioned unforeseen delay. Or, DMI may have sub-contracted Ajax (more likely), if they could not fulfill their contract.  Makes sense to me. I am sure Ajax was not just sitting around with their collective feet on a desk waiting to get back up orders from DMI or GM.
Second, and this is just my experience in manufacturing, is that GM had a standing quantity contract based on engineering calculations of productions in many product lines. I don't think someone got on the phone at, say, Norwood and called DMI to order more mirrors. I am sure it is more a case that once a contract was made, a supplier made X amount of an item per month whether needed or not and more of an automatic shipment schedule that sent out the item on a weekly or monthly schedule.
So, the Ajax mirror, may have been subcontracted through DMI when DMI realized it could not meet its contract demand because of mentioned unforeseen circumstances.
Title: Re: 1969 Camaro Left Side Ajax Mirror
Post by: KurtS on March 17, 2014, 11:23:43 PM
GM often had 2-3 sources for a part. Some plants may use more of a given part than another plant due to logistics (e.g. window glass, Norwood vs Lordstown).
The schedulers at the assembly plants broadcast to the suppliers exact parts volumes for each week and for each plant.
Title: Re: 1969 Camaro Left Side Ajax Mirror
Post by: Pacecar on January 20, 2021, 01:46:37 AM
I have a March dated AX mirror.
Title: Re: 1969 Camaro Left Side Ajax Mirror
Post by: firstgenaddict on January 20, 2021, 04:07:16 AM
Kurt,
Did they do it weekly or per 500 cars?
I have heard 500 cars previously however that is at a 500 car/week plant.

regarding GM having a handle on date coded mirrors supply - GM could not have cared less which mirror date went on which car. It was not a FIFO system, first in was last out in many cases.
Yes most mirrors are dated close to the car, however, there are outliers.
Title: Re: 1969 Camaro Left Side Ajax Mirror
Post by: BULLITT65 on January 21, 2021, 08:14:00 PM
Mike can you provide the link for the paragon site where they have the dmi dated mirrors? thanks
Title: Re: 1969 Camaro Left Side Ajax Mirror
Post by: ZLP955 on January 22, 2021, 08:03:51 AM
Mike can you provide the link for the paragon site where they have the dmi dated mirrors? thanks
This is the one I’ve been considering, just the mirror glass itself; although being a Corvette vendor site, I’m not sure if that would be a direct fit into a ‘68-‘69 Camaro mirror body.....
https://www.paragoncorvette.com/p-351632-exterior-rear-view-mirror-glass-dated.aspx
Title: Re: 1969 Camaro Left Side Ajax Mirror
Post by: Dusk Blue Z on January 22, 2021, 12:36:02 PM
Heart Beat City has the complete dated mirrors, but only DMI.

https://www.heartbeatcitycamaro.com/store/product/21663/1969-Camaro-Chevelle-Nova-Door-Mirror-OE-Style%21-Dated-4-69-GM%23-3914753-LH/
Title: Re: 1969 Camaro Left Side Ajax Mirror
Post by: KurtS on January 26, 2021, 08:59:26 PM
Kurt,
Did they do it weekly or per 500 cars?
I have heard 500 cars previously however that is at a 500 car/week plant.
I didn't deal directly with the schedulers, so I'm not sure. But at 5000 cars/week and all the different suppliers, it was probably weekly.