I too would like to have the auto-dimming rear view mirror, and I think the compass would be helpful. I was wondering if there was some design difficulty with including these features with the cabin lights. Then I got to wondering if there are other cars (convertibles perhaps) which also have the cabin lights in the mirror. If not, it might be possible that it would have been quite expensive to innovate that feature with the dimming/compass electronics, especially for a small production run like the TBird. I get the impression that the Gentex Co. is only interested in a large population of vehicles for their products.
Also, when comparing the relative features of the Tbird with other cars, I think it might be true that the cost of providing the removable
hard top/convertible may be a significant
part of the costs. True, other cars provide this capability, but the TBird seems particular well done.
This is all speculation on my
part, and as others have pointed out, the pleasures of driving and displaying this car far outweigh these small details.
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VIN 106587 White, White, with
chrome hood scoop bezel