69 Inside Rear View Mirror

[emdoller]

I have a 69 convertible i just purchased so I have lots of questions. This car seems to be very original and was a one owner car.

Attached is a picture of the rear view mirror. As you can see the back of the mirror is black and dirty. The writing on the mirror is:

Top: Guide Glare Proof
Bottom: Made in USA



At first I thought it simply may have been painted but when you look close, it looks a bit textured.

Could this be original? Why would the car have a black one vs stainless? I just found a website that sells black ones and they state customer OE style:

http://www.camarocentral.com/1967_1969_Custom_Inner_Rear_View_Mirror_Black_p/int-417d.htm

Thanks - Ed

[z28z11]

My Z11 is stainless, as is every '9 original I've ever seen. DOT glare regulations are the main reason why GM service parts changed years ago. I think SS looks better -

Regards,
Steve

[X33RS]

The original stainless backed mirrors I see run through the 1970 model year.  1971 is when I've seen the black back mirrors as being common.  I believe it's because late in the 70 model year is when the DOT glare regulations mentioned above came into affect.  That's the pattern I've noticed anyway.
   Both my 69 and 70 F-bodies have stainless rear view mirrors.  My 71-72 X-body and A-body model cars are black.

[emdoller]

Thanks. I found an original stainless one on eBay.

Ed

[trobert63]

My 1968 LOS 07C has the black mirror too, was a one owner car when I got.

[68camaroz28]

My 1968 LOS 07C has the black mirror too, was a one owner car when I got.

Have never seen a 68 or 69 with a black mirror and I've seen a lot over the years.

[trobert63]

You peaked my curiosity so I googled "1968 camaro original advertisement photos". There is an advertisement photo of a rally green camaro ss with a corvette that appears to have a black rear view mirror. I find it odd too that mine is black and that's why I did a search and found this post. I'm not saying mine is original to the car because I cant verify it since the original owner passed in December 2014. It was a one owner car before I bought it and is unmolested. It's possible the original one was broke at some point and was replaced. I also agree, I had never seen a black one till I bought my car.

[trobert63]

You can clearly see the deluxe interior seats with the inserts and if that mirror was stainless it would be quite obvious. It appears black.