Side Mirror Question

BrianB · 08-15-04, 09:33 PM

What's the correct side mirror for a 76'? The painted bullet shaped ones, or the chrome style? Was there an optional upgrade? Not a big deal, just curious.

**CQRT** · 08-15-04, 11:08 PM

Chrome was standard and I think passenger side was optional - I don't believe the plastic color-keyed mirrors surfaced until `78.

Regards
CQRT in AZ

**Tom73** · 08-15-04, 11:25 PM

The '76 should have the chrome mirror on the dirvers side only. Passanger side was a dealer installed option. The "sport mirrors" came out in '77.

tom...

**Ej46** · 08-17-04, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by BrianB

What's the correct side mirror for a 76'? The painted bullet shaped ones, or the chrome style? Was there an optional upgrade? Not a big deal, just curious.

that's a good question. i have a 76 and i have the bullet mirror on both sides. the one on the driver side can be move from a switch on the lower part of the door panal. i thought that maybe some time during the production of the 76's they switched to the bullet mirrors. it's just a quess, but i have seen lots of 76 vettes with just the one chrome mirror.

**norvalwilhelm** · 08-17-04, 12:44 PM

While this is not answering your question I did install a passengers side mirror on my 75 about a month ago and I got it from Paragon and the service and price were great. It was about $59 complete kit along with templete and takes about 5 minutes to install.
The problem with the sports mirror is that it sits too close to the body and becomes useless. The bigger chrome one stand out from the body and actually work.
I installed the passengers one and removed the interior mirror. It really opens up the windshield and you get use to using only side mirrors.

tom102 · 08-17-04, 12:54 PM

The 76 came with one mirror on the drivers side only, it was the large head chrome mirror. A lot of people have added a passenger side mirror but that was not available from the factory.

**76okievette** · 08-17-04, 01:13 PM

Have to agree with both the Tom's, 76 had only a drives side chrome as orginal equipment.

BrianB · 08-17-04, 01:36 PM

The bullet shaped one's I have are totally worthless. If the footprints match, I may replace them with chrome mirrors. It sounds quick and easy, so I'll ad that to the list of "to do."

**Ej46** · 08-17-04, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by BrianB

The bullet shaped one's I have are totally worthless. If the footprints match, I may replace them with chrome mirrors. It sounds quick and easy, so I'll ad that to the list of "to do."

yes the bullet shape ones are useless. i had to stick the little round ones onto each mirror so i could see more.

**norvalwilhelm** · 08-17-04, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by BrianB

The bullet shaped one's I have are totally worthless. If the footprints match, I may replace them with chrome mirrors. It sounds quick and easy, so I'll ad that to the list of "to do."

Paragon has a kit that includes 2 mirrors and all mounting hardware plus a good tempelate. It is a little over $100 and I would choose the larger mirrors from say a 75. They are the largest of the chrome mirrors and do a good job.

78SilvAnniv · 08-18-04, 12:42 AM

Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm

...problem with the sports mirror is that it sits too close to the body and becomes useless.

Bullet side mirrors are not useless or worthless, and I think I know exactly what your problem with the bullet mirror is.

When I had my 78 painted 4 years ago, the body shop re-installed the mirrors and I made complaints to them that I could not see out of them. They said they were properly installed, and I reiterated that I had no problem with visibility before the paint job and severe visibility restrictions after the paint job. They did nothing to make me happy.

Long story, short:
We moved from WA to GA and the driver mirror loosened.

When Kenny took it apart to tighten and reassemble it, I noticed that there is a black, oval shaped wedge piece that fits between the mirror and door. The body shop had installed the wedge upside down...that meant the mirror leaned in too close to the body and showed too much fender and not enough road behind me. We flipped them over and visibility has been perfect. Just like before the paint job.
Heidi

mike weyman · 08-18-04, 08:19 AM

sorry for butting in but did the 75 have two mirrors?? mine has two long stem mirrors ,the pass side does not seem to be added, but seems original.can someone clear the mud as far as a 75 goes?? mike

**norvalwilhelm** · 08-18-04, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by mike weyman

sorry for butting in but did the 75 have two mirrors?? mine has two long stem mirrors ,the pass side does not seem to be added, but seems original.can someone clear the mud as far as a 75 goes?? mike

No the 75 came with one drives side mirror.

**norvalwilhelm** · 08-18-04, 08:31 AM

When Kenny took it apart to tighten and reassemble it, I noticed that there is a black, oval shaped wedge piece that fits between the mirror and door. The body shop had installed the wedge upside down...that meant the mirror leaned in too close to the body and showed too much fender and not enough road behind me. We flipped them over and visibility has been perfect. Just like before the paint job.
Heidi

That's interesting Heidi. I will have to pass that on to some of my friends who are not happy with either sports mirrors. I thought the sports mirror was just sleeker so it was smaller and located closer to the door making seeing around the rear fender a problem. The 75 chrome mirrors are much larger, not as sleek , and stick out much further but they work.

BrianB · 08-18-04, 11:48 AM

I'm going to have to check that out as well. I know mine was repainted once. That could be it. Wow, this didn't turn out to be such a dumba$$ question after all.