Interior mirror - are we sure this isn't original?

[Timothy B.]

My 67 Conv 327 has an interior mirror that I would like to determine whether or not it is original. The judging guide says that only one mirror was used, but then states that two different knobs on the mirror were used. Nolan Adams book says that "1967 inside mirrors changed too many times to follow", but then goes on to say that early cars in 67 had a square knob and later had a then curved lever facing forward.

My car is a early 67 car, and it has the square knob and also has the "guide glare proof" wording on top and "Made in USA" wording on the bottom. But, the thing is, my mirror is 10" wide rather than the 8.5" as called out in the judging manual. There is no grey rubber surround, but rather metal. There is no interference with my original sunvisors, but the Corvette America reproductions that I just tried to install hit the edge of the mirror due to their curves being slightly different than the original.

Could this be an original mirror, or it not what do you think it is from? We have had the car since '75 and it has always had this same mirror. Has anyone ever seen a midyear Vette with a 10" wide mirror?

[Joe L.]

Re: Interior mirror - are we sure this isn't origi

Tim-----

Well, there are some things that bode for its originality and some things which do not.

"Guide" was the internal GM division of the day that produced mirrors for some GM cars. So, the brand name "Guide" does bode for originality. The square knob also would indicate the style used on early 1967s which is what you, apparently, have.

The 2 factors which make me question it are the lack of the gray
"rubber" mirror glass retainer around the periphery and the size. I don't know of any pre-72 Corvette mirror that was 10" in width. If yours is original, then it's the only type ever installed in a pre-72 Corvette that was that wide.

It is possible that this was some sort of Guide-manufactured GM accessory item that someone installed in the car early-on. Anyway, that's all I can figure.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Interior mirror - are we sure this isn't origi

Joe, so later Corvette's used a 10" wide mirror? Do you know what years? Thanks!

[Joe L.]

Re: Interior mirror - are we sure this isn't origi

Tim-----

I don't know, for sure, that even later ones used a 10" wide mirror. I only know that I don't know of any prior to 1972 that did. I think that 76+ may have been 10" wide. I don't know what the 72-75 were. However, I think that the 72+ mirrors were mostly plastic and glass construction. The 53-71 mirrors were mostly metal and glass.

[Joe L.]

Addendum

Tim-----

It's possible that the 76+ mirrors were of metal construction but painted black. The 72-74 I believe were plastic, though.

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: Interior mirror - are we sure this isn't origi

--------Not original. From a GM passenger car. As Joe said the correct mirror,no matter what handle on the bottom has to have the grey rubber edge to be correct for 67, and no correct,original 67 I have ever seen had a 10 inch wide mirror. Sorry!..........Bill S

[Mike M.]

Re: Interior mirror - are we sure this isn't origi

Tim; i incorrectly posted my mirror message in the post above this one. sorry. mike

[Timothy B.]

Re: Interior mirror - are we sure this isn't origi

Looking at my mirror more closely, it looks like there may have previously been a rubber surround on it, and it may have been removed at some point. Can't tell for sure, but there is a ridge around it that looks like it might have been for that purpose.

Thanks for the comments.

[Mike M.]

Re: Interior mirror - are we sure this isn't origi

i've cut a lot of the rubber surrounds off the gm replacement mirrors and i think its near impossible to remove it all completly. mike

[Dick W.]

Re: Interior mirror - are we sure this isn't origi

I think that the 10" was probably Buick, Olds, etc. Never saw one in an original mid year Vette