Better visibility for side mirrors?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 52
Likes: 3
From: Morris County NJ
Better visibility for side mirrors?
So after a year of letting my vette collect dust due to school, I finally got back to working on it.
One of the issues that had to be addressed was the really bad visibility of the sport mirrors on the '76. It must be more of an issue for short people like me as i only found threads asking how to convert from chromes to sport... (why do i have to be 5'5"
)
That being said, i shall inquire about the opposite, how much better is the visibility of chrome mirrors vs sport mirrors, and is it worth it to switch? How about sticking on convex mirrors?
thanks in advance
One of the issues that had to be addressed was the really bad visibility of the sport mirrors on the '76. It must be more of an issue for short people like me as i only found threads asking how to convert from chromes to sport... (why do i have to be 5'5"
)That being said, i shall inquire about the opposite, how much better is the visibility of chrome mirrors vs sport mirrors, and is it worth it to switch? How about sticking on convex mirrors?
thanks in advance
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,667
Likes: 3,123
From: Shamong, NJ
The 75-79 so called "large head" mirrors, will give slightly better rearward visibility. They stand up a little bit taller, and have quite a bit more mirror surface. Even so, the rear fender bulges still dominate the view, when using the mirrors.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 521
Likes: 23
From: Lititz PA
Try adjusting your mirrors as suggested in the article below. Have an open mind. Then get out on a highway and try it out. Simply amazing! I was skeptical at first, but after driving with my mirrors this way for a few years, I have no idea how I used to drive the "old" way. Your 'humps" won't be filling up your mirrors if they are properly adjusted...
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/how-to-adjust-your-mirrors-to-avoid-blind-spots
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/how-to-adjust-your-mirrors-to-avoid-blind-spots
Last edited by 79C3tnd; Apr 24, 2017 at 10:55 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,367
Likes: 1,061
From: Virginia USA
Try adjusting your mirrors as suggested in the article below. Have an open mind. Then get out on a highway and try it out. Simply amazing! I was skeptical at first, but after driving with my mirrors this way for a few years, I have no idea how I used to drive the "old" way. Your 'humps" won't be filling up your mirrors if they are properly adjusted...
http://www.caranddriver.com/features...id-blind-spots
http://www.caranddriver.com/features...id-blind-spots
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 190
Likes: 30
From: Wollongong Great Southern Land
I agree, if you can see the side of your car in the mirror it's not properly adjusted. Next time your sitting at a light with cars next to you (in any car you own) adjust the right mirror (or left if there are cars to that side) so you can see the car to the right and behind you. When you see that car in your mirror your mirror is adjusted correctly.
Totally. any driver training course will tell you the same. Thats how I have my mirror and I'm a left drive in a driving on the lefthand side of the road country.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,237
Likes: 4,330
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi II,
The 68-74 mirror is designed in an interesting way… the 'stalk' doesn't mount to the center of the mirror…. it's off-set.
This off-set allows the mirror to pivot 360 degrees which varies how high/low it is and also how close/far from the door it is.
Might this degree of adjustment be of some help to you?
Regards,
Alan
The 68-74 mirror is designed in an interesting way… the 'stalk' doesn't mount to the center of the mirror…. it's off-set.
This off-set allows the mirror to pivot 360 degrees which varies how high/low it is and also how close/far from the door it is.
Might this degree of adjustment be of some help to you?
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,367
Likes: 1,061
From: Virginia USA
Hi II,
The 68-74 mirror is designed in an interesting way… the 'stalk' doesn't mount to the center of the mirror…. it's off-set.
This off-set allows the mirror to pivot 360 degrees which varies how high/low it is and also how close/far from the door it is.
Might this degree of adjustment be of some help to you?
Regards,
Alan
The 68-74 mirror is designed in an interesting way… the 'stalk' doesn't mount to the center of the mirror…. it's off-set.
This off-set allows the mirror to pivot 360 degrees which varies how high/low it is and also how close/far from the door it is.
Might this degree of adjustment be of some help to you?
Regards,
Alan
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,367
Likes: 1,061
From: Virginia USA
Do you plan on keeping it on all the time? Also backup cams don't really show you the blind spot.
Army Hoist Operator
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 836
Likes: 17
From: OK
The side view mirrors in my '78 only let me know that the rear fenders are still attached. The inside mirrors verifies the retention of the roll bar and the rear spoiler. I bought a backup camera and 5" monitor from Amazon for $30. The camera is mounted on the back of the roll bar and since it's wide-angle the rear vision is very good.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 139
From: Syracuse NY
How about you turn your neck and look?
Momma taught me to check the mirrors first....look over my shoulder....mirrors again.....then move.
I do this in my Corvette, my motorcycle and in 10 Ton armored vehicles.
Adjust the mirrors.....but ALWAYS look. Mom was never wrong.
Momma taught me to check the mirrors first....look over my shoulder....mirrors again.....then move.
I do this in my Corvette, my motorcycle and in 10 Ton armored vehicles.
Adjust the mirrors.....but ALWAYS look. Mom was never wrong.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Several years ago I approached a company (I forget the name) which once made a high quality stick-on driver's side convex mirror for the C4 about doing a run for the "big" C3 sports. Unfortunately, they weren't interested enough to even site how many would be necessary for a minimum order. If anyone might know of a source offering that fitment today, please fill me in.
However...
However...
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 430
Likes: 31
From: Ontario
I have a bunch of antique tractors and golf carts and a bone stock flathead V8 `50 Ford F47 pickup so I'm somewhat old school myself. I'd like a backup cam for the truck too but I don't see them as a replacement for side mirrors. More like an extra point of view. I'd leave it on all the time not just when I'm in reverse.