1968 Corvette Mirror Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,381
Likes: 2,604
From: Burning Jet-A
1968 Corvette Mirror Question
Greetings all, As you may guess I am an owner of a 1968 Corvette and have a question regarding the rearview mirrors on the cars. There was both a forward and late position, and there was a change to the more common rear position around car 10000 or so. The question is, when was a mirror offered on the passenger side, and why do some have mirrors on both sides? Was there a years when mirrors came on both sides all the time. Is a passenger mirror on the 68 purely aftermarket?
I am a database or organizing type of person and have a building list of survivors and blocks found for sale. I am specifically interested in the early cars (like mine) but am collecting data on all of the ones I can find. !968 was the most interesting year with 3 different headlights, 2 mirror positions, 2 frames, and a host of other mods on the line. Lets talk 68's.
I am a database or organizing type of person and have a building list of survivors and blocks found for sale. I am specifically interested in the early cars (like mine) but am collecting data on all of the ones I can find. !968 was the most interesting year with 3 different headlights, 2 mirror positions, 2 frames, and a host of other mods on the line. Lets talk 68's.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu Hawaii
I am not sure if they came from the factory with a passenger mirror, But when I purchased mine a couple of months back, the owner said it wasn't original and he had it put on, plus with the input of other forum members saying it was not correct. That being said I took it off.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
I believe the right side mirrors were always dealer installed options (or you could install it yourself as a spare part purchase). They just drilled two holes and installed well-nuts so the base could be mounted.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally Posted by international blue
Greetings all, As you may guess I am an owner of a 1968 Corvette and have a question regarding the rearview mirrors on the cars. There was both a forward and late position, and there was a change to the more common rear position around car 10000 or so. The question is, when was a mirror offered on the passenger side, and why do some have mirrors on both sides? Was there a years when mirrors came on both sides all the time. Is a passenger mirror on the 68 purely aftermarket?
I am a database or organizing type of person and have a building list of survivors and blocks found for sale. I am specifically interested in the early cars (like mine) but am collecting data on all of the ones I can find. !968 was the most interesting year with 3 different headlights, 2 mirror positions, 2 frames, and a host of other mods on the line. Lets talk 68's.
I am a database or organizing type of person and have a building list of survivors and blocks found for sale. I am specifically interested in the early cars (like mine) but am collecting data on all of the ones I can find. !968 was the most interesting year with 3 different headlights, 2 mirror positions, 2 frames, and a host of other mods on the line. Lets talk 68's.
G.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1
From: Las Cruces NM
Originally Posted by 7T1vette
I believe the right side mirrors were always dealer installed options (or you could install it yourself as a spare part purchase). They just drilled two holes and installed well-nuts so the base could be mounted.
This is correct, at least for earlier C3s. I'm not sure about later C3s(past '72 or 73), though.
Depending on who judges, if you're into that sort of thing) dealer installed options are considered original. But it's not the way the car left the factory.
It's a common mod people make or had done. They've been available aftermarket from GM or otherwise since the cars were new.
My 72 doesn't have a rh mirror and, if you're doesn't either, you've probably noticed right lane changes are a little hairy. I'd like to have the extra visibility, but I can't bear to drill into the door.
Chris
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2004
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talking 68's
I bought my 68 2 yrs ago it does not have a right hand mirror and it was built late in the year. I would think the right hand mirror was a option like most were in those years. Mine has the factory rack which I understand was installed at the dealer. The mirror might have been dealer installed also. But I'm no vette expert.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 755
Likes: 1
From: Hobart Tasmania
For mine it was a necessity to fit a RH mirror driving on the left in Australia. Pulling out from the curb I couldn't see cars coming from the rear clearly. Having said that I think it balances the look of the car with a mirror on each side and when it was NCRS judged it was as if it wasn't there. At ther end of the day it's only two small holes in the door which are easy to fix as opposed to not seeing a vehicle coming up from behind and a whole lot more damage.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
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From: Sudbury MA
I purchased my 68 coupe in 1972 from a firend who was the original owner.
It had no passenger mirror and I have read several times over the years that they did not leave the factory in 68 with passenger door mirrors although some people have added them after the fact.
Mine is buidl date of May 10, 1968 so I believe it is considered a late model.
Kurt
It had no passenger mirror and I have read several times over the years that they did not leave the factory in 68 with passenger door mirrors although some people have added them after the fact.
Mine is buidl date of May 10, 1968 so I believe it is considered a late model.
Kurt
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Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, the World
Mine is a late 68 and it came without the RH mirror, with the chassis strengthening on the kick ups and door handle pulls. I put the RH mirror on for RHD like Chris.
Chris, were you in Melbourne or Sydney for the NCRS meet?
Chris, were you in Melbourne or Sydney for the NCRS meet?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 7
From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by okinawa86vette
My 72 doesn't have a rh mirror and, if you're doesn't either, you've probably noticed right lane changes are a little hairy. .
Chris
Chris
I have the little 2" stick-on spotter mirrors on both the drivers side and the pass side
It makes a huge difference!
$3 mirrors can save a $20K car..
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
...from all the '68s I have viewed over the years, the mirror changed from the forward position somewhere between VIN #s 14,800 and 15,800. My Silver coupe is #14222 and it's forward on that car. My convertible is #18434 and it's rearward on that car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
Looking at a 1968 dealer GM options catalogue shown in CORVETTE CATALOGUES by Terry Jackson, I can't see an optional pax side mirror.
The locking gas cap, luggage rack, ski rack , AM-FM radio , fire extinguisher , day glo antenna flag , spotlight and more are visible, just not this mirror.
Was it realy available in 1968 or at a much later date ?
Günther
Looking at a 1968 dealer GM options catalogue shown in CORVETTE CATALOGUES by Terry Jackson, I can't see an optional pax side mirror.
The locking gas cap, luggage rack, ski rack , AM-FM radio , fire extinguisher , day glo antenna flag , spotlight and more are visible, just not this mirror.
Was it realy available in 1968 or at a much later date ?
Günther
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hello
@Paul Borowski
Could you get me some dimensions of the mirror location of the late 68 car ?
I just bought a second 68 convertible and it has sports mirrirs installed pretty much further back as my very early Oct 67 build 68 Convertible.
The one with the sport mirrors is 16530, so late version.
I would like to install correct mirrors and am wondering if I can cover this sport mirror's attachment holes with them.
Thanks. Günther
@Paul Borowski
Could you get me some dimensions of the mirror location of the late 68 car ?
I just bought a second 68 convertible and it has sports mirrirs installed pretty much further back as my very early Oct 67 build 68 Convertible.
The one with the sport mirrors is 16530, so late version.
I would like to install correct mirrors and am wondering if I can cover this sport mirror's attachment holes with them.
Thanks. Günther