As for the mirroring, why not just flip the image as needed in software?

I assumed we are talking display that only accepts ASCII. With graphical display, of course, we do that in SW.

Distortion is a problem, but aren't there ways to minimize that? If nothing else, maybe some special kind of "screen" that you attach to your winshield? Takes away from some of the neatness of having it projected right onto the windshield, but might minimize distortion...

The reflective surfase just has to be flat.