63 outside mirror glass question

[Edward J.]

I have a original 63 early mirror and glass(long base),I also have a reproduction mirror (corvette central) and tried to fit the glass from the repro and it's just a bit to small in diameter to fit with the correct snap ring. has anyone found a reproduction mirror glass that will fit the original mirror head. thanks, Ed

[Ed S.]

Re: 63 outside mirror glass question

Had the same problem with my '64. Ordered a dated replacement mirror from LIC, it was about 1/16 inch smaller in diameter than the original. It stays in but if you depress the springs it will slide around a bit - but not enough to allow it to pop out (so far). Like many vendor supplied parts, they are not the same in one or more ways; different material, or thickness, or appearance, shape, size, color etc. etc.

[Joe R.]

Re: 63 outside mirror glass question

Ed,

You can get one from Paragon dated as you wish and I've never had a problem with fit.

JR

[Frank D.]

Re: 63 outside mirror glass question

I got my '63 mirror (side and rear) dated glass and retainer rings from this gal:

http://www.mirrorladypa.com/

Everything fit well - I did take a minor hit for the retainer ring during judging...I don't remember the exact discrepancy though.

[R N.]

Re: 63 outside mirror glass question

All of the reproduction mirrors I've purchase are under-sized. Best bet is to try to find a nice original mirror and ring if you can find them. I had great success with Joyce Borrell, AKA the "Mirror Lady" finding me an original mirror/ring in very nice shape. Mind you it took over 2-years of staying in contact with her, but she came through for me and I now have nice mirrors for both my '66 and '67. mirrorlady25@yahoo.com she also advertises in The Driveline.

[Ed S.]

Re: 63 outside mirror glass question

Kurt,
Interesting. So the next logical question is how do these undersized mirrors fair in judging? Does the under sizing give them away? What about the repro date info that several vendors apply for an added cost? Is the font and other characteristics correct? Does the date data routinely pass muster or is it all wrong too?

[Edward J.]

Re: 63 outside mirror glass question

Well it looks as though I may not find the correct dia. mirror glass as , I called Paragon and they said it will not fit. I will just stick with the original mirror and glass although it has minor scratches. The national is just a week away.

Ed the repo glass is dated just as the factory did it.The problem with the repo mirrors is the retainer clip for the mirror glass is just to big, all the judges know this, and there are other minor details also, but the clip is the give away.

[Ed S.]

Re: 63 outside mirror glass question

Edward,

Thanks for the info. I would suspect that any glass & mirror specialty shop could cut a piece of mirror to the correct dimension (diameter). Then, I wonder if Paragon or LIC, who have the capability to etch the date / mfr data on the glass, would do so (for a slight fee) if the correct size mirror was sent to them?

We had a phrase in the Army to describe this sort of obsession over minutia, we are "pole vaulting over mouse turds".