'68 FIrebird Mirror
1968 Pontiac Firebird Sideview Mirror
Vintage car restoration interest has risen dramatically in the past decade, with an increasing number of enthusiasts interested in refurbishing and modifying old vehicles. While some restoration efforts primarily involve sourcing original parts or modern components for simple installation, other projects require the fabrication of new components that are either out-of-stock or require special attention.
In 2025, Thingsmiths was approached by an individual to help complete the restoration of a 1968 Pontiac Firebird. Although the vintage was being restored in Michigan by Denz Place Auto Restorations, our client is a resident of Australia, and he would eventually be shipping the car to his home country. Many vintage vehicles, including the 1968 Firebird were manufactured with only one driver-side side view mirror. Because Australia drives on the left side of the road a functioning mirror had to be added to the right side of the vehicle. Due to vehicle sidedness, mounting the existing mirror to the opposite door was not a viable option.
Fabricating a reflected mirror for our client’s vehicle began by 3D scanning the existing mirror housing and the mounting collar. After generating mesh files of the OEM parts, the scan data were translated to CAD files and reflected. Multiple iterations and test prints were required to achieve full functionality with the original mirror and motion hardware. Adjustment of the mirror is controlled manually via cables. Internal FDM prints were used to validate modifications. The final part was milled out of stainless steel and chrome plated.