Mirrors for a 76
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
Mirrors for a 76
I am restoring a 76. Somewhere along the line two new door skins were put on the doors but I don't know where they were purchased. I was told that the holes for the 76 chrome mirrors and the holes for the sport mirrors (77 and beyond) are slightly different. The car is primered and ready for paint however I don't know which mirrors to purchase. Does anyone know how I tell which mirrors will fit? I know 76 had chrome mirrors but I don't know if the past owner(s) used a 76 door skin? Can someone help me out?
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,735
Likes: 2,582
Not sure why it would make a difference since you are repainting the car. You can put the appropriate holes in the correct spot for either type of mirror. No difference in the door skins.
Last edited by MelWff; Jun 4, 2014 at 11:44 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,094
Likes: 16
From: Los Angeles California
I have the the sport mirrors on mine they look good but can't see all to well I would suggest c6 mirrors they cover the holes ,you can see over humps and modern. They are probably cheaper for the pair too than replacement for ours I've seen Em on flea bay for 120 shipped just a thought and if your a wiz you can make electrics functional
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
I am restoring a 76. Somewhere along the line two new door skins were put on the doors but I don't know where they were purchased. I was told that the holes for the 76 chrome mirrors and the holes for the sport mirrors (77 and beyond) are slightly different. The car is primered and ready for paint however I don't know which mirrors to purchase. Does anyone know how I tell which mirrors will fit? I know 76 had chrome mirrors but I don't know if the past owner(s) used a 76 door skin? Can someone help me out?
Good luck... GUSTO
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
sport mirrors
I had a new 1976 Vette. When driver and passenger side sport mirrors (option D35) became available the 1977 model year, I obtained a set and installed them on my 1976. I do not remember any templates coming with the mirrors. I am sure that we did not have any holes that had to be filled when we located and installed the mirrors. I am sure that a major reason for the driver location was to cover (or use) the original holes. The passenger mirror was installed matching the driver location. Both rear views seemed to be correct for the mounting location(s) we picked.
The driver side mirror could change position by means of a small cable operated lever that had to be mounted on the inside door panel. You had to be careful as to the cable routing since the driver window required clearance as it raised and lowered past the cable. (The passenger side mirror was fixed and required manual positioning.)
BTW, my 76 T&T steering column also received a 1977 leather wrapped steering wheel about the same time.
Jim
The driver side mirror could change position by means of a small cable operated lever that had to be mounted on the inside door panel. You had to be careful as to the cable routing since the driver window required clearance as it raised and lowered past the cable. (The passenger side mirror was fixed and required manual positioning.)
BTW, my 76 T&T steering column also received a 1977 leather wrapped steering wheel about the same time.
Jim
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
I had a new 1976 Vette. When driver and passenger side sport mirrors (option D35) became available the 1977 model year, I obtained a set and installed them on my 1976. I do not remember any templates coming with the mirrors. I am sure that we did not have any holes that had to be filled when we located and installed the mirrors. I am sure that a major reason for the driver location was to cover (or use) the original holes. The passenger mirror was installed matching the driver location. Both rear views seemed to be correct for the mounting location(s) we picked.
The driver side mirror could change position by means of a small cable operated lever that had to be mounted on the inside door panel. You had to be careful as to the cable routing since the driver window required clearance as it raised and lowered past the cable. (The passenger side mirror was fixed and required manual positioning.)
BTW, my 76 T&T steering column also received a 1977 leather wrapped steering wheel about the same time.
Jim
The driver side mirror could change position by means of a small cable operated lever that had to be mounted on the inside door panel. You had to be careful as to the cable routing since the driver window required clearance as it raised and lowered past the cable. (The passenger side mirror was fixed and required manual positioning.)
BTW, my 76 T&T steering column also received a 1977 leather wrapped steering wheel about the same time.
Jim
Fortunately the vendor insisted he didn't realize they were not Corvette mirrors and took them back. I finally just went to GM and bought a set for the princely sum of about $125 as I recall. Unfortunately I sold the car to buy a C4 and never got around to installing them on the '77. But I knew I'd end up with another Shark Car sooner or later.I hope you saved that "Vega" wheel, I understand they've become quite a collectors item for those restoring '76 Corvettes...
And thank you immensely for all of your great papers on Corvette steering columns. They have saved me untold time and aggravation!
GUSTO
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 131
Likes: 26
From: Fort Valley Georgia
This thread has answered a lot of question such as why can I only see my quarter panels. And why does my passenger mirror look crooked. Does anyone have pictures other than the one above of different mirrors that they have installed?