I've been thinking about doing a permanent change to my '71 body by adding a passenger mirror.

What I wanted to know from those that have added them, did you end up regretting the decision or was it a good move?

 

I added one to my 73 Convertible this past summer. It certainly reduces the "pucker factor" when changing lanes on the interstate. I wouldn't want to be without it.

 

I recommend it.

 

If it is a numbers matching big block there is NO way I would change anything that is not bolt on. This is not easily reversible.

Now if you have an L48 Automatic it probably does not matter.

Just my two cents.


Bill

 

I Installed one after almost hitting another car while changing lanes.
I was hesitant to install it but the thought of doing major body work from getting into an accident out weighed the thought of drilling 2 holes in my passenger door. The worst part for me is that my 73 still has the original paint job on it.
And remember too, A passenger side mirror was available as a dealer add on when the car was first sold. (so I was told)

 

This. ^^^

If you choose to enjoy driving the car, no doubt you will be on public highways. They can be dangerous every time you drive them, in or out of a C3. People seem to always be in a hurry, now-a-days. Then there's the road-rage factor. Bad drivers, mean drivers, inattentive drivers... how do you protect yourself from the masses?

I'd venture that one of our classics wouldn't be allowed on public highways if it didn't pass some sort of state vehicle inspection, to include also having valid motor vehicle insurance.

I also agree with Mick71. It has not been unusual for me to drive between 30 to 45 thousand miles a year in various vehicles, C3 included. We have a lot of open country, out here in the wild, wild west.

I was trained to use both door mirrors. I am accustomed to looking right in everything else that I drive to see what's over there before changing lanes. It's a safety thing.

If you drive a C3 coupe, there's a blind spot that can hide folks while you are driving. Having driven my car for a year before installing the pass door mirror, I had a couple of surprises that shouldn't have happened.

Not sure how a convertible is with the top up but at speed, coupes can be hard to keep straight in a lane when your eyes are looking back, over your shoulder, checking traffic, instead of looking forward.

Now if you don't rack up much mileage or own a optioned car that you can trailer to events, then sure. It's easier to understand why you wouldn't want to alter the factory configuration. I bet the tow vehicle has a passenger door mirror. Maybe even, your DD has one too.

For me, it's all about driving safely and I use every mirror to check where traffic is before I signal my next move. It also helps to see what is behind you, when backing up.

That right door mirror helps to keep my insurance premiums affordable.

For a driver in today's world, why would you risk the safety of you and the car just for aesthetics?

 

These guys have got it right. Take their advice.

 

I need to put a passenger side mirror on my 75 Vert. Even though there are no blind spots, I still can't see well over my right shoulder after having C6 and C7 fused in my neck a few years ago.

I have heard complaints of poor quality on some of the old style chrome mirrors. Anyone had experience with this? Who sells a good one that also matches the original drivers side?

 

I installed a chrome passenger mirror on my 76' over 10 yrs ago and love having it there.

I have went thru a few different chrome mirrors that would not hold position due to poor quality of the ball joint. The one company that I would recommend is Paragon Corvette. I've had their mirrors on my car for years now and they still work and look as good as new. Great mirrors IMHO.

 

I installed the sport mirrors, it helps a little, but not like the mirrors on my Silverado, which are larger.

 

That's where I purchased mine.

 

Not a C3, but the passenger mirror on my '66 has proven quite useful on more than one occasion. No regrets it's there.

 

Do it... you can't be too safe out there

 

It does add a significant margin of safety although with the convertible top down, line-of-sight really is pretty good to begin with. The mirror would be much more useful with a coupe.

Keep in mind the installation is via Well nuts. There is no steel reinforcing plate on the inner surface of the fiberglass as on the driver's side. So minor vibration does occur but that does not detract from function.

 

Plus I like the symmetry

 

I was going to add a passenger side mirror to my 73, but after my failed attempt to properly locate and drill holes on my other car, I decided not to.

[IMG][/IMG]

 

Yes, the passenger side mirror was a dealer add on. Really no way to tell if they did it at the dealer or if you added the mirror, that is if you happend to have the paperwork for it when it was installed.
My 70 coupe does not have it's side mirror. The car is still under restoration. I plan to add the side mirror before I'm finished with the car.

 

 

RF that looks like something i would post.(gave me a good laugh).now as far as post # 4 well....................!

 

I too added the passenger mirror on my 72. I like the look of it on the car. I was installing a new door skin so instead of using the idiotic well nuts, I made an internal plate with 2 nut plates and bonded it to the back side of the door panel prior to bonding the new door skin on.