I'm not sure if this question is really that important to me. I want a RH mirror just because I've got this whole symetrical personality disorder thing :crazy:

But I was wondering if the RH mirror on a C3 really helps visibility.


[Modified by jerryp58, 7:37 PM 9/9/2001]

 

I don't know, but I am with you. I bought one last year and plan to put it on my 70. :seeya

 

The only mirror I use is my rear view mirror. I never use the sideview mirrors because all I see is my rear fenders, and if I put them up high to miss the fenders, I cannot see small cars that are riding my foot....I have a 77 with sport mirrors.
Maybe someone can help me out too...(with my lack of view)

Daniel

 

I had one on before I painted my '69.
Never put on back on.
Found it was useless because it wasn't the convex(I don't know if that's the correct name)type mirror.
The new cars have that type.

 

I wouldn't leave home with out it.

 

I think both outside mirrors are useless, all you see is fender

 

I, on the other hand, have an asymmetrical personality disorder :crazy:, and love the looks of the '74 with only one mirror. However, I had to install a RH mirror--it's simply essential if you want to drive here in the Boston area--where the drivers are much more focused on talking on the cell phone, or reading the newspaper, or drinking their coffee, than actually driving and paying attention to what they are doing... :(

-Pedro



[Modified by Pedro'74, 7:52 PM 9/9/2001]

 

I agree, use all the mirrors.

We have safe driving classes at our company, which I take periodically, and using ALL mirrors is part of safe driving.

 

I could never drive my 1980 without both side mirrors.
Basically if you can see your own car in your side mirrors, they are not set up correctly. You should be able to see a car in either side mirror from the just before it does not show in the center rear view mirror until you can see the car in your peripheral vision.
Example, you are in the center lane on a 3 lane interstate. Car 1 comes up behind you in the left lane. You should see it in the center mirror. As it approaches, it should move towards the left in the center mirror. Before it no longer shows in the center mirror you should be able to start seeing it in the left mirror. As car 1 moves forward, it should transition from the center mirror to the left mirror. As it moves forward you should be able to continue seeing a part of that car until car 1 is in your peripheral vision, without turning your head. As car 1 continues forward, it should then tranistion from the left mirror to your forward view.
The same would be true for car 2, which is in the right lane. As it moves forward it should move from center mirror to right mirror to peripheral vision to forward vision.

This is how I was taught to set up my mirrors in my cars and on motorcycles by a motorcycle saftey instructor that was also a state trooper.

Don't be surprised if your right mirror looks like it is at some crazy angle, just so that it works. A lot of times I have to move the right mirror out fully to get it to work correctly.

If you set up the mirrors like this you should not see your own car, and you don't need too. If a car is that close to you, its already too late.
Also, if your mirrors are set like this you should have no blind spots at all.

Good luck.

 

Bseery - I agree with you. But, I have always wanted just a spec of my car in the side mirrors. Seems to help me with perspective.

BTW, we have an anagram (right word?) for driving:

M = maintain safe distance
A = adjust to road conditions
G = grant other driver space
I = Inspect vehicle
C = comply with laws

So, SAFETY is MAGIC.

 

Every other vechicle I drive has two mirrors so I find it unusual when I hop in my 74 which only has one on the drivers side. I keep on catching myself looking over to the right to check in the mirror only to find out it doesn't have one . Kinna like switching from a column shift car to a consel shift car...find myself reaching for the shifter up on the column :lol:

 

You dont need the right hand mirror to drive safely, but i believe they are very helpfull and safer, specially for the large blind spot that we have in the coupes and roadsters (when top is up)some people don't notice what they are "missing " because they dont have a rh mirror in their car.....at this time i also have the drivers mirror only on my vette but pretty soon i am putting a rh mirror not only because is safer but down here in Houston if you whant to tint your rear window you need both outside mirrors.
I believe if you are looking at your fenders with your outside mirrors like some of you are stating than you are not positioning your mirror correctly they should be position just after the sidemirrors loose sight of the fenders, you can also position them with overlaps to your inside mirror.

 

Quotation from the National Motorists Association:

What is the solution to tunnel vision and blind spots? Simply adjust the sideview mirrors just beyond the point where you could see the side of the car on the inside edge of the mirror. With this setup, you almost completely solve the blind spot problem.

To adjust the outside mirrors this way, follow these two steps: (This of course, is for vehicles with an inside mirror)
For the driver side mirror, roll up the window and press your head against the glass. Adjust the mirror so that you can just see the edge of the car.

For the passenger side mirror, place your head in the center of the car (directly behind the inside mirror mount) and adjust the outside mirror so that you can just see the edge of the car. This is necessary even with convex (curved) mirrors where the image is distorted a little.

When you're in your normal driving position, you won't be able to see the sides of the car but will be able to see other vehicles in the adjacent lanes.

 

Well, that could be me - adjusting so I see just a spec of the rear bumpers. Will move them out tomorrow. I was reading my 82 users manual (yup, still have it) and it shows showing more of the rear bumpers than I have. Probably things have changed in near 20 years!

 

I was lost without mine.

 

They are manditory on all vehicles now...Nuff said :seeya

 

with all the traffic there sure are times when i wish i had a right side mirror.
but i dont feel like drilling holes in the door .
did they have right side mirrors in 1968?was that an option?

 

quote: did they have right side mirrors in 1968?was that an option?

I have a 68 with a right side mirror, but it always falls out of the positon i put it in. :(

 

"did they have right side mirrors in 1968?was that an option?"

RH metal mirrors were a "dealer option" with no RPO, correct? I guess that makes them pretty vague from the originality point of view, unless you happen to have the window sticker.

Also, I seem to remember a thread about different "fixes" for a drooping RH side mirror, but I can't find it in the search.

 

Dual mirrors are highly rec. ! Esp. for those who are used to both & drive fast. Stingy74 this probably means you. 77 is supposed to be first yr. for factory installed dual mirrors.

:cool: