Adding a passenger mirror: regrets? best ever?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 468
Likes: 20
From: Warrenton VA
We thought about doing the same thing to our 69 because my father can't turn as well as he used to in that little cockpit to see around the blind spot. To have the passenger mirror would make things easier and safer. However, we haven't come to install one due to the fact that we don't drive the car daily and that old school, clean passenger door is just cool. Chances are, the car won't see a passenger mirror while in our hands.
I guess adding the mirror would mostly depend on how often you drive the car, on what roads and in what area. Driving daily in Northern VA could cause a heart attack from the stress of not having that mirror. Driving in rural VA, only to shows, isn't nearly as bad and the mirror doesn't seem necessary.
I guess adding the mirror would mostly depend on how often you drive the car, on what roads and in what area. Driving daily in Northern VA could cause a heart attack from the stress of not having that mirror. Driving in rural VA, only to shows, isn't nearly as bad and the mirror doesn't seem necessary.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
I added the PS mirror to mine shortly after purchase after not enjoying the drive in trafffic. I also think they look better with both mirrors. Got mine from Corvette Central and it is working well so far. No issues with the head moving on its own.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Hum...I would hate to own...well I wouldnt own some car that I couldnt personalize if I so desired, 
Okay...even though I don't get it I respect the fellows that have some ncrs purist dream and can touch it....
But left side mirror...really?!?!,,,it's about safety, if the car is so "special" that you shouldnt or cant add a left mirror then you shouldnt be driving it anyway otherwise be safe for yourself and others add a mirror....
In my 69 I even have a larger inside mirror the stock one was dinky by todays standards I lucked out found a cool brookstone gadget ( in a junkyard car ) that clips over the stock mirror and makes it's a couple inches wider...
Add the left mirror if you drive the car much at all you will never know how you did without it....
Okay...even though I don't get it I respect the fellows that have some ncrs purist dream and can touch it....
But left side mirror...really?!?!,,,it's about safety, if the car is so "special" that you shouldnt or cant add a left mirror then you shouldnt be driving it anyway otherwise be safe for yourself and others add a mirror....
In my 69 I even have a larger inside mirror the stock one was dinky by todays standards I lucked out found a cool brookstone gadget ( in a junkyard car ) that clips over the stock mirror and makes it's a couple inches wider...
Add the left mirror if you drive the car much at all you will never know how you did without it....
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 216
Likes: 13
From: Camas WA
I agree. I put a matching chrome mirror on the passenger side of my 72 coupe 6 or 7 years ago and it is nice and tight. I also like the symmetry and the extra safety. I have seen a few chrome bumper C3's that have been fitted with later model sport mirrors, but I much prefer the original look of the thin chromed mirrors.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Fairfield County CT
Should we all add a third brake light for safety?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 343
From: Allenton Wisconsin
I agree. I put a matching chrome mirror on the passenger side of my 72 coupe 6 or 7 years ago and it is nice and tight. I also like the symmetry and the extra safety. I have seen a few chrome bumper C3's that have been fitted with later model sport mirrors, but I much prefer the original look of the thin chromed mirrors.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
Left mirror is the driver mirror. Always look at it in driving direction, pls.
Right mirror would be the pax mirror.
Rgds. Günther
Add the left mirror if you drive the car much at all you will never know how you did without it..
Right mirror would be the pax mirror.
Rgds. Günther
Pro
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 557
Likes: 15
From: Royal Oak Michigan
My 70 had a PS mirror when I bought it. Wish it didn't. The car also had the larger DS mirror, so I replaced that with the smaller one.
I'm a little bit of a hypocrite though since there are plenty of non stock items on my car and here I am making a stink about the PS mirror not belonging.
The larger DS mirror is available if anybody wants it. Free to good home.
I'm a little bit of a hypocrite though since there are plenty of non stock items on my car and here I am making a stink about the PS mirror not belonging.
The larger DS mirror is available if anybody wants it. Free to good home.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 216
Likes: 13
From: Camas WA
I agree with the look of the chrome mirrors, but they have a tendency to fold over above 130mph and become pretty much useless. also the sport mirrors are a pain to install and decrease vision [glass is smaller], but they stay in place on the track and that was critical for me. my 02cents
I will have to take your word for it on that one, but could see where that would be an issue! My bone stock all original base 350 engine Stingray isn't going to see 130mph anytime soon unless I accidentally go over a very high cliff!
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 730
Likes: 37
From: Catoosa Okla
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
I agree with the look of the chrome mirrors, but they have a tendency to fold over above 130mph and become pretty much useless. also the sport mirrors are a pain to install and decrease vision [glass is smaller], but they stay in place on the track and that was critical for me. my 02cents
Last edited by Jason Staley; Jan 21, 2014 at 10:57 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Keeping in mind I dig mods I run the little gennie mirrors like seen on gt40's and ac cobras, they look old school sweet and work well,
Now, I did learn that one pair I have mount from the inside not easy on the vette door, I had a old nos cheaper set that mounted from outside so all it costs is a couple small holes in the door.....
Now, I did learn that one pair I have mount from the inside not easy on the vette door, I had a old nos cheaper set that mounted from outside so all it costs is a couple small holes in the door.....
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 454
Likes: 7
From: SB County CA
I guess I'm in the minority with most here...my '68 had one added, but I removed it and glassed the holes while prepping for paint. I get the safety argument, but there's the flipside argument for style and uniqueness as well.
I'm into bikes too, and in that camp many of the 'cool' mods involve going totally against the grain of safety, performance and even legallity...jockey shift, suicide shift, stripped mirrors, signals, gauges, even front brakes; not to mention what many do to their suspension and steering geometry...but those are the ones that draw the crowds...
For those familiar with my project, you'll know that I"m all about performance and drivability, but regards to the right mirror, I'm glad I went this route.
I'm into bikes too, and in that camp many of the 'cool' mods involve going totally against the grain of safety, performance and even legallity...jockey shift, suicide shift, stripped mirrors, signals, gauges, even front brakes; not to mention what many do to their suspension and steering geometry...but those are the ones that draw the crowds...
For those familiar with my project, you'll know that I"m all about performance and drivability, but regards to the right mirror, I'm glad I went this route.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 289
From: Spring Park MN
This reminds me of Harley chopper guys using dental mirrors just to pass having a mirror.
Have you ever noticed that a lot of Foose cars on Overhauling don't have any mirrors? I can't drive without mirrors. Besides not being able to look over my shoulder well, I drove all over the country for years in a motorhome with a big race trailer behind me. Got used to using nothing but the mirrors. Couldn't see any other way.
Have you ever noticed that a lot of Foose cars on Overhauling don't have any mirrors? I can't drive without mirrors. Besides not being able to look over my shoulder well, I drove all over the country for years in a motorhome with a big race trailer behind me. Got used to using nothing but the mirrors. Couldn't see any other way.