Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

[Michael B.]

Re: Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

I am suprised that no one is favoring safety. If you change lanes and hit some one you are going to have more than a couple of small holes to fill. That concern drove my decision to add the mirror along with T-style safety motor mounts. (I do hit the drag strip occasionally)

If you are trailering the car there is no need to add the mirror. If you are going to drive it and understand that an accident is an unintended event, you will want to take reasonable measures to keep you, and the car, safe. Adding a mirror is reasonable, it's only one or two points in the judging arena. If you are really concerned, buy another door to modify, paint and install it.

[Steve F.]

Re: Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

Great car Bill, I wouldn't do it. Keep it as it is.

[Bill C.]

Re: Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

I guess I have stirred many different opinions ....

I really appreciate all the differing viewpoints, it makes it much more helpful to decide.

I have decided to not drill into my original door, I drive the car but not nearly enought to justify messing up the car after the restoration.
I do like the idea of getting a second door and having it painted to match the car. It is not hard to change with the help of a couple people. Then I could have my mirror on the car and put the right door back on the car for judging. It is kind of extreme but is really seems to be the best of all the options. I will look for a 73-74 door that has the mirror dealer/factory installed, then I just have to do cosmetic changes and mount it.
For this I would use a VG "used mirror" or repop. So the NOS is still up for grabs

Great suggestion!!!

Thanks for all the help.

[Wayne B.]

Re: Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

We're more conditioned to having that passenger side mirror from all of our "normal" cars over the years. It doesn't take long to safely get used to one mirror, heck, I might as well have one mirror on all my cars because my dog is always hanging out that side blocking it anyway

[Pat M.]

Re: Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

In addition to what others have said, I actually like the asymmetry of only a driver-side mirror. To me, this uniqueness looks cool and period-correct. And I like it when non-Vette people ask, "it only came with one side mirror?"

[Harmon C.]

Re: Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

I have removed the mirrors and the luggage racks on lots of cars I restored and if you hog the area out and make the repair with fiberglass and mat that is torn to be just threads you never see the repair. As Jack said a vette bondo repair will shrink.Their was no factory installed RH mirror in 73-74-75-76-77. If a chrome mirror is on the RH side it is not factory.In 78 the bullet mirrors were factory installed on some models and 78 and later all had two mirrors. I miss the RH mirror for driving and what's two points so you decide it's your Corvette. On my 73 beater I drive daily I look over my shoulder old school style and find myself checking over my shoulder with the 09 if time permits.

[Ridge K.]

Re: Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

I am suprised that no one is favoring safety. If you change lanes and hit some one you are going to have more than a couple of small holes to fill. That concern drove my decision to add the mirror along with T-style safety motor mounts. (I do hit the drag strip occasionally)

If you are trailering the car there is no need to add the mirror. If you are going to drive it and understand that an accident is an unintended event, you will want to take reasonable measures to keep you, and the car, safe. Adding a mirror is reasonable, it's only one or two points in the judging arena. If you are really concerned, buy another door to modify, paint and install it.

One of the best suggestions I've heard in quite a while.
is the TDB great,...or what?

Ridge

[Steven B.]

Re: Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

I have removed the mirrors and the luggage racks on lots of cars I restored and if you hog the area out and make the repair with fiberglass and mat that is torn to be just threads you never see the repair. As Jack said a vette bondo repair will shrink.Their was no factory installed RH mirror in 73-74-75-76-77. If a chrome mirror is on the RH side it is not factory.In 78 the bullet mirrors were factory installed on some models and 78 and later all had two mirrors. I miss the RH mirror for driving and what's two points so you decide it's your Corvette. On my 73 beater I drive daily I look over my shoulder old school style and find myself checking over my shoulder with the 09 if time permits.

The dual sport mirrors were an option on '77's.

[Louis T.]

Re: Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)





Louis

[Stephen B.]

Re: Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

Why do we need to be safe anyhow? With President Obama's healthcare plan, we'll be patched up for free.

[Jack H.]

Re: Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

Curiously, some 'good ole boy' parts men I've talked to mentioned one of the real demand agents for RH mirrors was when these cars aged enough for the soft top rear window vinyl to start to 'go'. The RH mirror was perceived by some convertible owners as a 'stop-gap' method to avoid having the soft top replaced BEFORE it ripped holes and began leaking...

[Wayne B.]

Re: Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

Louis

Uhhhh...now what am I going to do with this extra door?

[Peter G.]

Re: Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

Don't do it Bill!

Come on guys and girls. Do you really feel safer with that little side mirror?

Driving a plastic car that is three feet lower than most SUVs and trucks?

I don't feel very safe in my Corvette. I am always paranoid that some crazy person on the cell phone is going to run into the back of me at a stop light. Thank goodness my Corvette is bright RED!