A rear-view mirror is a device in automobiles and other vehicles designed to allow the driver to see rearward through the vehicle's back windshield. Early use is described in a trade magazine in 1906, noting mirrors that showed what is coming behind as being popular on closed bodied automobiles. The Argus Dash Mirror, adjustable to any position to see the road behind, appeared in 1908. The earliest known rear-view mirror mounted on a racing vehicle appeared on Ray Harroun's Marmon race car at the inaugural Indianapolis 500 race in 1911.
In the Beginning
From aiding in lane changes to alerting you to oncoming vehicles, mirrors play an important role in safe driving. However, the first five Corvettes to come off of the assembly line in 1953 were made without this very basic safety feature! Once mirrors became a necessity on Corvettes, and all cars for that matter, changes came as the overall car style evolved. Mid America Motorworks reviews the evolution of mirrors, along with ways to customize them.
The First Corvettes
If you have ever seen a 1953 Corvette without mirrors, consider yourself among the rare few who have. Of the five Corvettes manufactured without mirrors, sources claim that the first two Corvettes have been destroyed. That leaves only three others in existence that were not originally equipped with mirrors.
Evolution
C1 Corvettes – The rearview mirrors in first generation Corvettes were mounted on the dashboard. While this design gave the mirror a very sleek and stylish look, the location made it difficult for the mirror to be used properly. As the C1 progressed, there became telltale ways to cosmetically differentiate between years based on the rearview mirror. In a 1956 Corvette, the rearview mirror adjusts with a thumbscrew, while the 1957 model requires a wrench to loosen the locknut.
C2 Corvettes – With the second generation of Corvettes, came the windshield-mounted mirror. This change was the only notable change of the second generation and has remained constant throughout all Corvettes.
C3 Corvettes – The rearview mirror saw a growth to a ten-inch width. What that means for you is a better view of what you're leaving behind.
The Late Generations - Since the C3 Corvette, the rearview mirror has ultimately remained the same. A few features have been added to make it more user-friendly, but the overall location and design has been constant.
Improve on Design
You invest a great deal of time and money in your Corvette to ensure that it is the best it can possibly be, and the mirrors are no different. There are a wide variety of products that protect your mirrors to keep them looking their best.
Mirror masks protect your mirrors from rock ships, bug splatter and road debris while keeping your paint job intact.
Mirror seals save the headache of having to clean your mirrors over and over again to remove water stains after you wash your Corvette. You can even purchase heated mirrors to easily remove snow and ice during the winter months.
Your Corvette is a true symbol of your personality, thus every part, even the mirrors, should reflect your personality. There are a number of products on the market today to customize your mirrors and truly make them your own. Mirror decals are a great way to add some flare to your mirrors.
There are also many mirror trim pieces on the market that can add either a burst of color or a touch of class to the reflection of whatever you are passing up on the road.