Early 67 Day/Night Mirror Help

[Dereck S.]

I have an original early 67 day/night inside mirror that I've partially restored. The mirror is the early version with the square knob. My knob has significantly faded from the sun. The color is an off white color. During the resto I did not need to remove the rubber although it was faded to a light tan color. I left this alone because it is original. Since the rubber was not removed I can't tell what the original color of the knob is looking inside. I've been told that the knob is carry-over from 66 which was black. The 67 TIM says the lever (later version after VIN #2500) is gray. Is it fair to say the knob is gray also or should it be semi-gloss black like the 66? I noticed the early repo's are gray.
thanks,
Dereck

[Peter L.]

Re: Early 67 Day/Night Mirror Help

Dereck - Just checked the knob of the original day/night mirror on our '67, S/N 1476, and I'd say the color is a light gray or at least a lighter gray than the gray rubber surround. Pete

[William L.]

Re: Early 67 Day/Night Mirror Help

They are the same knobs that were used on 65-66 day/night mirrors. They fade over time.

[Dereck S.]

Re: Early 67 Day/Night Mirror Help

Wow, terrific picture Bill. Looks like black is correct. My reference had been Nolan Adams Vol. 2 on page 384 where he states "the knob was square, and made of a gray plastic material". I can see from your picture how this could have been concluded by looking only at the part of the knob protruding from the frame. I'll go with semi-gloss black to be correct, however, gray does look better. The gray color is less noticeable. I had sprayed it with a gray primer that matches your picture. Next coat is black.
thanks,
Dereck

[Peter L.]

Re: Early 67 Day/Night Mirror Help

William - I don't think so. In fact I think the knob pictured is what I have seen on the knobs of many 65 D/N mirrors that some folks thought were gray until you rubbed on them with your fingernail and guess what the outer coating came off and they were black. Pete

[Neal K.]

Re: Early 67 Day/Night Mirror Help

I have an original early 67 day/night inside mirror that I've partially restored. The mirror is the early version with the square knob. My knob has significantly faded from the sun. The color is an off white color. During the resto I did not need to remove the rubber although it was faded to a light tan color. I left this alone because it is original. Since the rubber was not removed I can't tell what the original color of the knob is looking inside. I've been told that the knob is carry-over from 66 which was black. The 67 TIM says the lever (later version after VIN #2500) is gray. Is it fair to say the knob is gray also or should it be semi-gloss black like the 66? I noticed the early repo's are gray.
thanks,
Dereck

Dereck,
I have an early production 67(#100179) which I bought in 1969. The little square(to me it looks more triangular) is a light grey and always has been. I recently had the mirror restored and there was no mention by the restorer of needing to paint the knob any other color.
Hope this helps.
Neal

[Dereck S.]

Re: Early 67 Day/Night Mirror Help

Bill,
Is it possible that the substrate plastic was black and the end of the knob was finished in a gray coating prior to assembly? From your part is there any evidence of a finish applied? Perhaps the black substrate reacts with sun and/or sweat, acid, ect from ones fingers during adjustment and turns gray? Sorry to beat the @#$% out of this one.
Dereck

[Larry M.]

Re: Early 67 Day/Night Mirror Help

My March built 1967 (VIN 14,845) had the early rear view mirror. The original mirror was probably replaced at some time in its life with this earlier type, but at this point no one can really say for sure.

Anyway, the square knob was GRAY in color.

FWIW.........Larry

[Jim D.]

Re: Early 67 Day/Night Mirror Help

Bill's picture above tells it all. They started out black but fade to gray in the area that is exposed to UV rays. I have 3 original mirrors and the knobs are exactly like Bill's picture.

[William L.]

Re: Early 67 Day/Night Mirror Help

When I restored mirrors I did 100's of these mirrors and the levers and knobs varied in colors. Strange things happen to plastic when exposed to sun, heat and enclosed areas. Ask any of the guys that have a new C6. Chevy sent out a warning about keeping the cars closed up tight because the dash would turn gray. Here's a couple of more knobs and a leaver. Notice the different shades of gray and black. I would bet dinner that the original color of the knob was black.

[Neal K.]

Re: Early 67 Day/Night Mirror Help

Hard to debate such good photos.
There is a small opening in the case of the mirror where the shank of the knob exits the case. I put a magnifying glass up to the opening and the little bit I can see of the rest of the knob inside the mirror case is grey as well.
Notwithstanding your great photos, it is surprising that none of the black remains. I truly have no recollection of my mirror knob ever being black and it is hard to comprehend that it could have turned from black to grey in the approx. 3yrs. before I bought the car in the summer of 1969. But I must admit that memories can also fade over a 42 year span.
I am learning that there are many anomalies with these cars.
Neal

[Joe R.]

Re: Early 67 Day/Night Mirror Help

Bill,

Thanks for the living proof in pictures of what the originals really looked like in 1967.

I learn so much here every day, like what a big word like "substrate" really means.

JR

[Dereck S.]

Re: Early 67 Day/Night Mirror Help

Thanks to all who replied to the thread. Bill's pictures are very convincing for a black knob as being correct which later faded to gray. Working with plastics every day in my profession I know how poor the plastics were back then against resistance to chemicals, UV, etc. Sounds like one of those "inconvenient truths" that may take more time and data to be more widely accepted. Bill, please consider an article in the Corvette Restorer magazine. Maybe over time the appropriate guides and manuals will be updated to reflect your work and knowledge on the subject. Many thanks to all it was a very good discussion.
Dereck

[Gene M.]

Re: Early 67 Day/Night Mirror Help

Thanks to all who replied to the thread. Bill's pictures are very convincing for a black knob as being correct which later faded to gray. Working with plastics every day in my profession I know how poor the plastics were back then against resistance to chemicals, UV, etc. Sounds like one of those "inconvenient truths" that may take more time and data to be more widely accepted. Bill, please consider an article in the Corvette Restorer magazine. Maybe over time the appropriate guides and manuals will be updated to reflect your work and knowledge on the subject. Many thanks to all it was a very good discussion.
Dereck

I have to disagree with your conclusion, after talking with the previous owner of my 67 of over 35 years. The knob was always gray not black. The car I'm speaking of is under 450 VIN.

After looking at it under magnification it appears primered on the exposed area. Which makes more sense since the molding around the mirror is gray too.

[Chris E.]

Re: Early 67 Day/Night Mirror Help

My car (Vin #100183) has had a grey knob almost all its life. I've had my grey knob mirror through three rounds of judging (two Chapters and one Regional) with no mention of the knob color.

I'm leaving mine grey, it matches the mirror surround.