Why doesn’t my Plymouth Duster have a passenger side mirror?

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Dakota Smith

Dakota Smith

1976 340 Feather Duster
Joined
Feb 17, 2018
Messages
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Location
Georgia
I always assumed that I needed to buy a mirror for the passenger side because it was missing, but yesterday I realized there weren’t any holes or anything where a mirror would have previously been mounted. Are a lot of older cars lacking passenger side mirrors? Is there a reason they only have one on the driver side?
 
Was an option back then. Only required to have a driver side mirror. Don’t know if that’s changed over the years or not but it’s how it was back then.
 
also from what I remember most major roads were one lane, good question I had to add one to my car.
 
My Demon only had one mirror when I bought it. It was one of the first things I did. Don't know how anyone can drive without a passenger mirror.
 
Conversely I don't know why anyone needs a passenger side mirror to drive?!? If you truly know how to drive you really only need the rearview mirror inside your car...
 
IIRC the driver's door mirror wasn't standard/required until around '63.
 
HemiSSDart said:
Conversely I don't know why anyone needs a passenger side mirror to drive?!? If you truly know how to drive you really only need the rearview mirror inside your car...
Click to expand...

Technically, I think you're right but side mirrors really are useful for maintaining awareness of all the traffic around you on a freeway without craning your neck around.

IIRC, it is (or was) a driver's test question that we're supposed to check all mirrors on a regular/very frequent basis. I can't remember the interval now but it was a lot...every 10-12 seconds?
 
I added one to my 66. I like the balanced look but the mirror doesn't do much for function. I should try a fish eye stick-on. It might help. My 70 still needs one. Someday when I feel like drilling through the paint. LOL

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They were on the options list I found for 71. 73, 74 and 75 options looks like only way you got a right mirror was if you ordered dual sport mirrors. I don't have list for other years.
I added one on my 75. ​
 
Interestingly pass side was standard on station wagons.

at least on 67 B body.
 
toolman- I see you have round mirror glass.

You should be able to get "objects are closer..." panoramic glass in a round shape.

Just stick it over top.
 
YY1 said:
toolman- I see you have round mirror glass.

You should be able to get "objects are closer..." panoramic glass in a round shape.

Just stick it over top.
Click to expand...
Yep, I need to try that.
 
Talk about mirrors, I bought this from SlantsixDan. It is a right hand remote from a right hand drive early A body.
RHD_Mirror_2.jpg
 
I’ve been driving with just a drivers side on mine for 12 years. I took my driving test when I turned 16 with only the drivers side mirror and the instructor was ready to fail me before I even started. Ended up passing.
 
HemiSSDart said:
Conversely I don't know why anyone needs a passenger side mirror to drive?!? If you truly know how to drive you really only need the rearview mirror inside your car...
Click to expand...
Ummm to pull a trailer? Obviously pertains mostly to trucks, but it's habit now. I was taught exactly the OPPOSITE. To mostly ignore the rear view mirror and ONLY use the side mirrors. To each his own............
 
Right side mirrors are pretty much worthless on cars because they only let you see one small spot, and if you only use that for changing lanes and such, then you are missing a giant blind spot.

Unless it's a convex anyway, but I still don't trust that and always turn to look before I change lanes.
Hell I usually even turn and look on the drivers side.
 
Proper aiming and use of the pass side mirror helps fill the blind spot created by the C pillar.

Most folks tend to aim them like the driver side- just sight down the quarter.

I park in a parking lot with another car directly in the blind spot (where it would be if in the next lane), then aim the mirror so I can see the car.
 
The right mirrors on these cars are nothing like current cars, the size, placement and type of mirror make them pretty useless. Even in my current stuff with better right mirrors I depend on the inside mirror and yes, I check it frequently.


Alan
 
Just welded up the holes on the right side on Saturday. One less thing to have to buy after it’s painted.
Some PO had them in the wrong place anyway.
 
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