Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

[Bill C.]

I was wondering ---

I have always wanted to add the GM passenger side mirror on my car.
It is a legitimate safety issue and all.

What I am wondering is, will it be a negative for the car when I have it sit for Duntov in Charlotte 2010? I know I will loose a point or so for the missing fiberglass.
I guess that I am looking at it from a presentational standpoint.

Thanks in advance.

[Paul O.]

Re: Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

Bill the mirror will not be judged just the damage to the paint and fiberglass. I would look at it as a small issue but the safety of its addition would out weight the negative if you drive the car. Just remember if a new owner removes the mirror at later date the repairs of those holes just seem to always show up been there. Paul 18046

[Patrick H.]

Re: Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

As Paul notes, the only down side at judging time is the point or two loss for the holes. However, just as with my luggage rack you'll "never" be able to make those holes disappear.

I wouldn't do it, but then you know what they say about opinions.

[Bill C.]

Re: Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

thanks for the input.
I just need to decide if I want to put the holes in the door or not...

[Patrick H.]

Re: Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

thanks for the input.
I just need to decide if I want to put the holes in the door or not...

Just Say No.

[Paul O.]

Re: Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

Bill I have vote with Patrick. Paul 18046

[Mark D.]

Re: Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

Bill,

You are kidding, right?

Mark

[Michael F.]

Re: Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

I will be different and say yes-add it if you like it. I plan to add to the 70 I plan to get.for me it is safety and I like the balanced look better....sorry ncrs I think it is wrong to deduct points for something an authorized dealer would do/did....my 2cents

[Pete B.]

Re: Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

Bill think twice or three times...My 71 had that done to it. It was a horrible hack job that looked ok on the outside. The top inner and outer door doubler (frame) has to have holes cut in...it is very difficult at best to try to drill holes in sheetmetal let alone the fabricated sheetmetal. I am fixing mine and i hope my body guy has the know how to make it not show up very soon. I dont know if later cars had the bracketry installed but if its missing it hurts to see what was done!

[Jim C.]

Re: Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

Bill,

If you've ever read any of my posts, you already know my opinion. "Don't do it. Leave it original." If you had purchased the car with the passenger mirror already installed, then that's the way it goes. The other guys are correct. You'll never get rid of the holes if you decide to remove the mirror. Just take a quick glance over your right shoulder like the rest of us do. You'll be ok.
Happy driving.

Jim C.

[Valeria H.]

Re: Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

I agree, don't do it. From a resale standpoint it would make the car less desirable.

[Jack H.]

Re: Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

I'll vote with Michael on the yes side... I did it on my '71 for the same reasons mentioned: (1) adds to the car's symmetry, and (2) provides functionality.

But, I'll differ with Michael in the area where he suggests NCRS should 'ignore' this intentional owner/dealer inspired configuration change. The deduction is minor and I can live with that. If the loss of a couple of judging points makes the difference between Top Flight and Second Flight OR keeps you from getting a MoE (Mark of Excellence) award, then you probably should look at improving your restoration in other areas...

BTW, the original dealer installed mirrors were affixed using rubber well nuts inside the new holes drilled in the door. This is the same approach as used to install the dealer optioned luggage rack.

I found the well nuts provided a 'too loose' attachment for my tastes. So, I cut a rectangular plate from sheet steel, drilled and tapped it for machine screws and affixed it to the back side of the door skin using RTV (silicone bath tub caulk) to hold it in place until the mirror mounting plate screws could bite down and hold...

On later repair attempts to fill holes always shrinking over time and revealing a 'tell tale' of the repair, in my opinion that's a body repair quality issue. YES, you can/will see this IF the approach used is to simply fill the hole with bond agent and sand flush.

But, those body men with a solid experience profile in repairing glass panels, will take a different approach. They'll chop/grind raw fiberglass and mix it with resin to make a slurry. Then, apply a SINGLE, THIN coat and sand it after it sets up.

They'll repeat the process 10-20 times to completely fill the area of damage and with MULTIPLE hand laid layers, approach the same structural characteristics of an original press molded panel. This approach yields a repair job that DOES NOT change dimensions over time.

Those who try to knock out the job using 'boat glass' cloth and/or fill the damaged area in 1-2 layers will NOT achieve a quality repair that's durable... So, in my mind, these 'damage' areas (RH mirror, rear luggage rack) CAN be fixed, if the repair job is done right...

[Reba W.]

Re: Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

I added a RH mirror to my 1972 because after being used to newer cars with two mirrors, I felt very unsafe on multi-lane roads in today's traffic. Like Jack, I will take the deduction if it is ever judged again. But I have been glad it was there on two national road tours.

[John D.]

Re: Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

In the old days we thought nothing of having an authorized dealer do all sorts of dealer modifications to our toys. 3 taillites come to mind very quickly on the midyears. Nice safety feature with the T-Bird type turn signals. Added mirrors, trunk/ski racks, side exhaust and other butcher type work.
Nice stuff do to with your car if you plan on driving it and taking it to the local cruise ins. God knows there are more than enough cruise ins anymore.

But if you are gonna chase the points then you should make the car like St. Louie did. On the other hand it's your car so do whatever turns you on. But don't bitch when the judges go ding, ding. Or you can build nice repromobile and go with that too.
Must be the weather putting me in this foul mood. It just won't quit raining in the SW Corner of PA.
A certain original 63 I saw really was a sight to behold. I mean the car is very original and hasn't been messed with. But one thing that really caught my eye was that Bubba added a RH door mirror. Ouch.

On the other hand try backing a split window out of an enclosed trailer with one little crappy mirror on it. Zora was right. You can't see crap out of the rear window(s). JD

[Louis T.]

Re: Dealer Add-on Parts (Pass. Mirror etc..)

Hi Bill,





Louis