To add RH mirror or keep original

[workworkwork]

Having seen many chargers that have been modified, especially on this site, this may seem like a silly question to some. I have always been a stickler for originality. I have always wanted a car to be exactly as it left the factory. I have kept the 74 charger that my Dad purchased new totally original ever since I became its caretaker in 1981. To me it was always a sacred pursuit to keep the car original and part of being a good steward of such a great car. But, the car came off the factory floor without a passender side mirror on the door. That was just the way they built many of them back then. When I drive the car I always find myself looking there to change lanes or turn because we are so use to having a side view mirror on the passenger side of our vehicles these days. Although it may sound like an insignifcant issue, I have often pondered whether I should add a mirror for safety and convience but I never pull the trigger because I just can't bring myself to change the originality of the car. I was wondering what other Charger fans on this site thought about keeping originality verses making change to our cars. Would you add the RH mirror? Are their other changes you would make to an all original car? If so what are they and why would you make them? Maybe this thread will get me over the hump and I will add a mirror. Or maybe it will confirm my compulsion to keep the car pure is what others would do too. I am interested in your thoughts.

[tan top]

  mine never come with a right hand door mirror , & was a year deciding should I put it on after I done a nut & bolt resto ,

[Old Moparz]

If I thought it out before hand I'd have added the passenger mirror to my Scamp "before" it was painted. I like the 2nd mirror because it gives more symmetry to the car. I've also been driving pick up trucks or SUV's with both mirrors since 1993 & have gotten so used to it being there that I find myself constantly looking for it when I am in my cars without it. 

I have a pair of A-Body sport mirrors that need to be painted & I may have it done when I get some touch ups on the car in the near future. Of course I may not & just sell them but I don't know yet. I will put two on my Charger no matter whether it had them or not. Even if it were a rare car I would do it as long as it wasn't already painted.

[Mopar Nut]

Although it may sound like an insignifcant issue, I have often pondered whether I should add a mirror for safety and convience but I never pull the trigger because I just can't bring myself to change the originality of the car. I was wondering what other Charger fans on this site thought about keeping originality verses making change to our cars. Would you add the RH mirror? Are their other changes you would make to an all original car? If so what are they and why would you make them? Maybe this thread will get me over the hump and I will add a mirror. Or maybe it will confirm my compulsion to keep the car pure is what others would do too. I am interested in your thoughts.

I have one to install myself, my car never came with one, but you said yourself, it's for safety. It does make the car symmetrical. I also believe in keeping the originality as possible. I would still change drum brakes to disc's all around, stainless steel exhaust & gas tank, new seatbelts not nos, these things dry rot. The most important would be the wiring, nothing like an electrical fire.

[twodko]

I too am so use to having a RH mirror I'd feel like I was driving partially blind
without one. I put one on my 69 even thought its big ass hips and the wing window
frame make it almost useless.
I bought one if those 2" stick on wide angle round mirrors for it so it is functional
to some extent.

My vote is put one on the car. More safety items......mo betta.  

[1965gp]

Do it- my 68 LeMans doesn't have one and there is a nice ding in the passenger quarter panel from backing in the garage and tapping into an old gas pump I have.

When you finally back into something the aftermath is going to look a lot worse than the extra mirror.

[keith88]

I added a mirror to the right side and replaced the one on the drivers. I am blind in one eye need all the help i can get!!

[hatersaurusrex]

Unless you're building a rare numbers matching car, then I'd put one on.   The C-pillar on these cars is about 3 miles wide.

[workworkwork]

This actually helps. Seeing some really nice cars where the choice was made to add the mirror is convincing. I had not been able to bring myself to do it before. But I have long wished I had one on the car. I am going to buy one and add it.

[toocheaptosmoke]

I did the same thing Twodko did.  The stock type mirrors are not convex like the newer mirrors, they have a really narrow field of vision and IMO are about useless.  It was distracting, you spent more time trying to see anything than paying attention to the road.  I also stuck a convex "spot" on it, custom mounted a 4" diameter one, soooo much better.

[Dino]

I did the same thing Twodko did.  The stock type mirrors are not convex like the newer mirrors, they have a really narrow field of vision and IMO are about useless.  It was distracting, you spent more time trying to see anything than paying attention to the road.  I also stuck a convex "spot" on it, custom mounted a 4" diameter one, soooo much better.

That sounds like an excellent idea!  Where did you get the convex mirror?

[jaak]

My 69 was a factory right mirror car, so I installed one. Like everyone says they are useless (sounds like a great idea adding a 'spot' mirror to it). 68 don't have one, don't plan on adding it. But I will say whether they are useful of not, it just makes the car look more symmetrical with a right mirror.

Jason

[John_Kunkel]

I would debate the "useless" idea. I like to find a lone car in a parking lot and adjust my car's position so that the parked car is in the most blind spot (using a quick glance to the right rear as a reference) and adjust the mirror to that spot. Definitely not as good as modern panoramic mirrors but better than nothing.

As far as originality, just don't show your build sheet to anyone. 

[tan top]

Do it- my 68 LeMans doesn't have one and there is a nice ding in the passenger quarter panel from backing in the garage and tapping into an old gas pump I have.

When you finally back into something the aftermath is going to look a lot worse than the extra mirror.

yes that's the only reason I added a right hand side mirror to mine  , backing up in tight spaces  ! , garage / objects ...   etc like 2 to 3 inches close     ,

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,111791.0.html

[Ghoste]

I like the look of dual mirrors and added it to mine.  If you like the look do it, sometimes we take the originality thing too far and it isn't as if you can order one your way from Dodge anymore and it isn't as if you are asking about back halving it.

[archie360]

I'm doing both.... Originality is important to me even though my cars are not that special in the collectors sense.  Both cars came without the RH mirror.  My 72 rallye which has a broadcast sheet and paperwork from the original owner, I decided to leave with only the one mirror. 

I also have a 71 SE which was in rough shape with the wrong seats, no paperwork and no prior history so I'm adding the RH mirror along with some other options.
Speaking for myself and others we are not getting any younger and these cars are fast becoming historical items.  It's your car, but one thing I have learned collecting antiques is we are only caretakers.  With any luck these will be passed on and may outlive you.  If originality is your main concern I would leave it the way it is.   It it's more safety/convenience then add it.  It's your call.

[Scaregrabber]

I normally like them totally stock but a third gen really needs a right side mirror, even for just backing out of the garage without wiping the whole side of the car out.

Sheldon

[Dino]

I'd love to have a RH mirror but I'm so used to not having one that it's not a priority.  Besides, ever since I backed into the garage and got that buddy seat stuck between quarter and wall, I know exactly how much room I have!   

I do agree the car looks better with dual mirrors.

[myk]

I'm looking to install the sport mirrors from 1970 on my car...

[UH60L]

I agree with what the majority has said, if it's not a super rare car, go ahead and out one on.  I added one to mine because I almost changed lanes into the front end of another car a couple times (it was hiding behind the sail panel, I swear!).

[CDN72SE]

I added one to my '72 years ago when I was young, for both safety and to balance the car out.

[stripedelete]

Like others have said, it's just north of useless as a mirror, but, it does provide symmetry.

Go with original.  You can't un-drill that hole.

[toocheaptosmoke]

That sounds like an excellent idea!  Where did you get the convex mirror?

I actually had to buy a clip on spot mirror, (CIPA #49502 I think) then cut the plastic housing apart it was glued into.  Then stick it on with double sided tape.

I'll give the flat mirrors some credit that they help with parking, but when on the road I found there was still a good sized blind spot even with the mirror.  The spot mirror doesn't allow you to judge distance that great, but you can see with a quick glance if there's anyone on that side. 

[RJS]

I like stock #'s cars but have added a right mirror and or changed out both sides to the factory mirrors of my choice on every Muscle Mopar I have even owned.
1969 GTX Convertible  added right side
1972 Dart Sport  added racing mirrors both sides
1970 GTX 440+6 added right side
1971 Buick GS Stage 1 added right side
1970 GTX added remote style to both sides
1971 Demon 340 4 speed  added Racing mirrors to both sides

Now that I think about it the only car I didn't add a right side mirror to was my 1970 Cuda 440+6 Super Track Pack because it was still mostly original paint. I did buy a matching racing mirror for the right side for when/if I ever restored it. later sold the car without ever adding it.
Ron

[HeavyFuel]

I went with and like the bare look on one side....looks clean.