63 Rear View Mirror Question

[Edward J.]

My Mar.63 rear veiw mirror has chrome plating that is pitted badly, and is in need of replacement, I noted a used one on ebay but appears to stainless, Is this a different year its s 8" Mirror with the guide stamp. it states 63-66 M/Y Thanks, Ed

[Loren L.]

Re: 63 Rear View Mirror Question

Your Mar '63 mirror should be the early version (same as the passenger car) with the long base - there are a bunch of '63 Chevies in yards.....

[Edward J.]

Re: 63 Rear View Mirror Question

Loreen, I was looking at Nolans book this morning not knowing that the rear view mirror was listed, I guess there were 4 different possibilitys for 63 - Wow, I am pretty sure that mines is original,I don't have the mirror in front of me but I Believe its the type without rivits on the back and I thinks its about a 8" mirror, do you happen to know is your mirror chrome plated?

[Loren L.]

Re: 63 Rear View Mirror Question

Sorry, I missed it - thought you were talking "outside" mirror.

[Bill C.]

Re: 63 Rear View Mirror Question

Ed; I will try to clear this up for you. I think the 63 has two interior 8" mirrors.
They are both chromed. One has a "guide" stamp and two rivets on the back, and the second design has no rivets but has dated glass. The Aim shows both designs. I don't know if either would be considered correct for an early car.
Regards
Bill

[Edward J.]

Re: 63 Rear View Mirror Question

Bill, Thanks I will take what info you can muster up. Ed

[Jack H.]

Re: 63 Rear View Mirror Question

For mid-year cars, the (63-66) AIM books call out TWO part numbers for the base interior mirror designating one as an option [Opt]. There was a running change with respect to the mirror part numbers in 1963 as has been mentioned. But, beyond that, Corvette interior mirror part numbers are the SAME as those called out in the Chevy passenger car AIM books!

When it comes to date coding, the only interior mirror glass I've ever seen with a date code from this era was from Donnelly Mirror. I've NEVER seen a Guide mirror with dated glass...

Note, each of the 63-66 Judging Guides cites an example of the date code format and it's always X-DMI-Y. That's the Donnelly Mirror format. I've yet to see a mid-year judging guide tell the reader that Guide mirrors were used and they won't have date coded glass!

For a Guide mirror, the housing is lightly stamped with the GUIDE identifier. Trying to re-chrome an original housing is rather futile because a conventional triple chrome process almost always winds up filling in the 'GUIDE' stamp.

[Ruedi K.]

Re: 63 Rear View Mirror Question

DSC09109.jpgDSC09115.jpgSorry for excavating this old thread. But I have a question about my interior mirror on my 1963 Convertible (July 1963, late). The mirror does not have any rivets and I cannot find any date on the glass of the mirror which is, by the way, tarnished. What would you suggest; that I send out the mirror for restoration and have a dated glass inserted or not? I have to restore it anyway, because there is strong pitting on the chrome + bracket. Thank you for your help.

[Edward J.]

Re: 63 Rear View Mirror Question

Ruedi, It appears you have the second design judging from your pic. Which is correct for later 63's .according to the JM there should be a date in the lower corner. but that maybe debatable??? As you never know with 63's.

[Ruedi K.]

Re: 63 Rear View Mirror Question

Hello Edward Thanks for confirming that it is the later design. I will order a correct late style rechromed mirror and put in a dated glass. Because I think the date might have been gone on my very old faded mirror. Thank you. Ruedi