You may think that's the case Z-man, but the dealers had the right-side mirror in their inventories...and they DID sell them. Obviously, not to you [you're too astute to want one], but that doesn't mean they weren't sold..only that you considered them "dorkey". {Other folks thought they were merely....necessary.}

 

ooo good scrabble word. Had to look that one up.

 

My '68 is #15085 and had the aft mounted mirror when assembled in early April '68. I added a mirror to the right side in '69 or so.

 

The correct term is "somewhat older"...


If that's true, it must have been on a couple of Oldsmobiles and Buicks back East.

 

I admire a man with a 'cutting' wit.

 

WRONG! The new term is "Chronologically Disadvantaged"

 

Or...chronically advantaged ....depending on your point-of-view, of course.

 

I have no desire to fan these flames, but I can assure you that Chevrolet had no right hand mirror for the early C3s until 1973. As soon as one became available I put it on my 1970.

Now back to the original topic of this thread. Sorry I can't help with the reasons for the change. Unless someone has access to the ECR (Engineering Change Request) records in the GM archives. The answer is there. If you find someone with that access – start with the ECR number in the 1968 AIM, and have them get the paperwork from the microfilm files on that number.

 

Sounds like me.

 

This got me thinking...when I learned to drive, there were no passenger side mirrors on cars, so I always "shoulder checked" before finally changing lanes. I still really never use the passenger side mirror. When changing lanes to the left, I still check visually to avoid a possible car in the "blind spot." I use the driver's side rear-view mirror just to augment what the inside rear-view mirror shows.

Do you "chronologically disadvantaged" guys actually use the passenger mirrors to change lanes? Maybe that explains a lot of the folks cutting me off in traffic (in my daily driver, of course)...

 

9C1...

If what you say is true, how does my right-side mirror have a '71 date code?

 

It was probably a left hand mirror installed on the passenger side, or an aftermarket mirror since you can specify what date you want them to show.

From the Corvette Central website "R.H. outside mirrors became a dealer installed option in 1973. R.H. mirrors were never factory installed. (1968 - 1974)"

 

Might be true...but I don't know about quoting "Corvette Central" as your primary reference for Corvette history. Also, the car as I received it was totally stock...even the carpet was original. Could the PO have added an aftermarket mirror with an "early" date code on it? Maybe. But if 'Corvette Central' is so accurate, why would they manufacture one with a bogus date code [if none were really made back then]? P.S. All of the other replaced parts were genuine GM/Corvette service parts...but none were '****' to the point of having factory date codes on them. Why only the mirror?

 

I'm not "chronologically disadvantaged" since my car is 13 years older than me but i guess i learned the ol'school way of driving. I always look over my shoulders when changing lanes or turning. Maybe b/c all the cars I have used as my daily drivers always had blind spots. I rarely use the mirrors...at least not as my primary viewing options, always as a second check.
My 68 has no RH mirror, and I don't miss it at all...except when parking next to a curb but that is a rarity in itself.
I'd be fine without any side mirrors, but I do like to use them when just cruising (non-lane changing) so I keep track of where all the cars are around me just incase i have to move fast.

As to the origin of the RH mirror, sounds like theories are all over the place. I've seen some funky date codes on just about everything put there by someone trying to trick someone else into thinking something was more valuable b/c the "dates match". This hobby got a whole lot trickier when Bubba got his hands on a date stamper.
Sounds like we all agree that the RH mirrors were a dealer option not a factory one...when they became a dealer option I don't know.

I agree with "9C1" to get someone to look up the ECR to see when the General decided to move the mounting location of the mirrors. Sounds like the dates are all over the place.