mid-year mirrors

[jay]

hello friends: When I bought my mid_year it came with a box full of parts amoung them was a day-night rear view mirror. I see that the attachment to the windshild looks like the real thing but the glass is sourounded by gray rubber and is bigger than the after market base one in the car. My Question is how can you tell if it is origional or even for a corvette? Any help would be appricated

jay

1964 vette

[Dino L.]

Re: mid-year mirrors

I have an early 64 with back up lights and a day nite mirror, I have asked others if this was correct. All the documenation says that the day nite is incorrect. You can check the archives for earlier posts on the subject. I guess that this was a dealer installed or part counter purchase on my car.

[Ed Jennings]

Re: mid-year mirrors

You don't say what year your car is, but day-night mirrors were definately available from 65 up. Optional in 65-6 and perhaps standard in 67. Not real sure of that one.

[Jack H.]

Re: mid-year mirrors

Think you'll find the day/nite was a dealer option in '64, a factory option in '65 (part of Z01 comfort convenience), and became standard feature in '66. Original mirrors are described in the Judging Guides and vary based on year and VIN. '64-66 units were approximately 8-inches in width (MUCH smaller than most Chevy passenger car applications that look alike but are 10-inches or so wide) with NO rubber surrounding the frame and a grey plastic 'teardrop' day/nite knob that was painted black.

In '67 the mirror was changed to include a grey rubber frame surround (collision occupant head protection) and the 'teardrop' knob was left natural grey plastic to agree with the rubber frame surround. On later '67 cars (around VIN 4000) the knob changed to a grey plastic horizontal lever. Das my recollection of things....

[Tom B.]

Re: mid-year mirrors

Close enough for a cigar, Jack. "Became" standard in 66 is the key word here, since both interior mirrors were available in early production. Also, the lever was gray for 66, not black as previous years, and the words "GUIDE" and "GLARE PROOF" appeared on the top of the non-glare (day / night) mirror (at least in 1966 they did). TBarr #24014

[Jack H.]

Thanks!

It's tough going from memory on the myraid details now that my computer is distant from my set of judging manuals. I appreciate the clarification....

[Everett Ogilvie]

Re: mid-year mirrors

I have often heard Judges say that "66's have the day/night mirror as standard equipment". Have to disagree; my late May car has the standard mirror, so does another car made within 3 weeks, and I have an original '66 Options brochure, which lists the day/night mirror as an available option.

[Tom B.]

Re: mid-year mirrors

I agree Everett. Not only did my early 66 have the regular mirror, the 66 JM has all the correct info also. TBarr #24014