5 Panel Rear View Mirror, Plastic Body

OVERVIEW

Elevate your situational awareness and driving safety to professional levels with the EMPI 5-Panel Panoramic Rear View Mirror. In the world of air-cooled Volkswagens, especially when you''re navigating tight trails in a Baja Bug or merging into fast-moving traffic in a classic Beetle, the stock pea-sized mirrors simply don''t cut it. This iconic five-panel design, often referred to as a ''Wink'' style mirror, provides a massive 180-degree field of vision that effectively eliminates dangerous blind spots. By utilizing five individual glass panels angled precisely within a durable housing, this mirror allows you to see from pillar to pillar without ever having to turn your head, making it an essential upgrade for any serious driver who values both performance and safety.

Engineered with the rugged demands of the off-road community in mind, this mirror features a high-impact plastic body that offers the perfect balance of rigidity and weight savings. Unlike heavy metal-framed mirrors that can vibrate excessively or cause mounting brackets to sag over time, this lightweight construction ensures a steady, crystal-clear image even when your flat-four is screaming at high RPMs or you''re bouncing through the dunes. The sleek black finish provides a timeless, race-inspired aesthetic that looks right at home in everything from a stripped-out Sand Rail to a daily-driven street machine. Complete with sturdy metal mounting hardware, this EMPI unit is designed for a secure installation that stays put, no matter how rough the terrain gets.

FITMENT

This 5-Panel Mirror is a universal performance accessory designed for custom installation. While it is a staple in the air-cooled community, it is most commonly installed in the following vehicles:

• VW Beetle (All Years): Custom mount to the upper roof structure or roll cage.
• VW Baja Bug: The gold standard for off-road visibility and safety.
• VW Karmann Ghia: Excellent for widening the narrow rear field of vision.
• VW Bus / Type 2: Provides a panoramic view of the cabin and rear traffic.
• Sand Rails & Dune Buggies: Easily mounts to 1-inch to 1.5-inch roll bars with proper clamps.
• Meyers Manx & Fiberglass Buggies: A must-have for open-top safety.
• Custom Street Rods: Fits any flat-roof interior surface.

SPECS

• Brand: EMPI
• Part Number: 00-4580-0
• Mirror Type: 5-Panel Panoramic / Wide Angle
• Housing Material: High-Impact ABS Plastic
• Mirror Material: Genuine Distortion-Free Glass
• Color: Satin Black
• Mounting Hardware: Included (Heavy-duty metal L-brackets and screws)
• Weight: 2.16 lbs (Lightweight to reduce vibration)
• Field of View: Approximately 180 Degrees
• Adjustability: Multi-angle bracket system for custom height and depth

PRO TIPS

1. Structural Mounting is Key

When installing this mirror in a standard steel-roof VW Beetle or Bus, don''t simply screw it into the thin sheet metal or the headliner. For the best results and zero vibration, locate the structural inner roof bracing or the header panel above the windshield. If you are running a roll cage in a Baja or Rail, we highly recommend using specialized tube clamps (sold separately) to secure the brackets directly to the tubing. A rock-solid mounting point is the difference between a clear view and a blurry reflection when you''re hitting the washboards.

2. Eliminate Night-Time Glare

One common concern with panoramic mirrors is the glare from headlights behind you at night. To mitigate this, you can slightly tilt the entire mirror assembly upward. Because of the multi-panel design, you will still maintain a wide field of vision, but the direct "hot spots" from trailing vehicles will be reflected toward the roof rather than directly into your eyes. Additionally, ensuring your rear window is clean will help reduce the diffusion of light across the five glass panels.

3. Fine-Tune Your Blind Spots

The beauty of the 5-panel system is that you can "stitch" your vision together. After mounting the main housing, use the included brackets to adjust the depth. You want the mirror positioned so that the far-left and far-right panels pick up exactly where your peripheral vision ends. In many VWs, this means you can see a car passing you in the left lane in the mirror until the moment its front bumper enters your side-window view, completely removing the "danger zone" where cars usually disappear.