Is passenger side mirror useful?

Drembo · Mar 11th, 2024, 16:10

My '68 122 estate wagon (picture is not my car, but mine is getting there) has only a drivers side mirror on the door, in the same position as those on the car in the picture. Included in the collection of parts that come with my project is a passenger side mirror. As I am going through the body work on this car, I am wondering if I want to mount the mirror or not. For those of you who have driven an estate wagon, do you find passenger side mirrors useful or necessary?

Moomoo · Mar 11th, 2024, 16:16

I would fit it. Being an ex-trucker, anything that improves vision has to be a plus!🤔

Rustinmotion · Mar 11th, 2024, 17:07

Found it hard to get a good location where the quarter light frame didn’t block the view ended up changing both to a high mount position on the window frame but I’d definitely rather have one than not

john.wigley · Mar 11th, 2024, 17:17

Definitely agree. When I bought a new Mini in 1978, it came with a DDM only and a blank for one on the passenger door. I managed without a PDM for a while, but later fitted one for the reasons 'Moomoo' stated.

Now more than 40 years on, we have far more traffic, more multi-lane highways, with vehicles merging from the left, often at speed, that I think a PDM should be seen as almost an essential fitment.

As an aside, some of the best mirrors that I have found on any car were the wing (as opposed to door) mirrors fitted to my 144. I did supplement them with a small overtaking mirror that clipped onto the quarter light frame, but they were unbeatable for both field and depth of vision. They did ideally need two to set up correctly, and were difficult to fine tune, but once properly adjusted were among the best that I have used.

Regards, John.

ITSv40 · Mar 11th, 2024, 19:01

As others have said I would definitely fit the passenger mirror, especially as you have the opportunity to do so before painting is finished. The only proviso I would make if it was me: is that the mirror would need to be period correct and match the one on the drivers side.

gjr0 · Mar 11th, 2024, 23:44

I have a PDM on my '67 wagon. It is located on the door, symmetrical to the driver's side. It is mostly worthless. I do like a mirror on that side.

john.wigley · Mar 11th, 2024, 23:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjr0

I have a PDM on my '67 wagon. It is located on the door, symmetrical to the driver's side. It is mostly worthless. I do like a mirror on that side.

Maybe this comment illustrates the difference in the roads / driving conditions stateside vs those in the UK? With our congested roads and traffic merging on both sides at 70 MPH, you need all the help that you can get!

Regards, John.

Drembo · Mar 12th, 2024, 02:15

I think, when I get one of my seats back together and installed, I'll tape a mirror to the passenger door and see what kind of view I get. I am all for having a better idea of what's over on that side of the car. With a wagon, at least, there is a lot of glass and less of a blind spot.

Mar 11th, 2024, 16:16	#2
Moomoo VOC Member Last Online: Today 10:25 Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Ashbourne	I would fit it. Being an ex-trucker, anything that improves vision has to be a plus!🤔 __________________ It’s pointless having a battle of wits with unarmed people!

Mar 11th, 2024, 17:17	#4
john.wigley VOC Member since 1986 Last Online: Today 08:41 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Leicestershire	Definitely agree. When I bought a new Mini in 1978, it came with a DDM only and a blank for one on the passenger door. I managed without a PDM for a while, but later fitted one for the reasons 'Moomoo' stated. Now more than 40 years on, we have far more traffic, more multi-lane highways, with vehicles merging from the left, often at speed, that I think a PDM should be seen as almost an essential fitment. As an aside, some of the best mirrors that I have found on any car were the wing (as opposed to door) mirrors fitted to my 144. I did supplement them with a small overtaking mirror that clipped onto the quarter light frame, but they were unbeatable for both field and depth of vision. They did ideally need two to set up correctly, and were difficult to fine tune, but once properly adjusted were among the best that I have used. Regards, John. __________________ Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana .....

Mar 11th, 2024, 19:01	#5
ITSv40 VOC Member Last Online: Today 10:43 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northampton	As others have said I would definitely fit the passenger mirror, especially as you have the opportunity to do so before painting is finished. The only proviso I would make if it was me: is that the mirror would need to be period correct and match the one on the drivers side. __________________ 2001 V40 2.0lt Sport lux - Daily Driver. 174k miles. 2003 C70 2.4 GT Convertible - Garage Queen. 65k miles. http://www.neptuno6benagil.com

Mar 11th, 2024, 17:07	#3
Rustinmotion Senior Member Last Online: Today 07:52 Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: MILTON KEYNES	Found it hard to get a good location where the quarter light frame didn’t block the view ended up changing both to a high mount position on the window frame but I’d definitely rather have one than not

Mar 11th, 2024, 23:44	#6
gjr0 Junior Member Last Online: Apr 23rd, 2024 23:48 Join Date: Aug 2023 Location: Delano, Minnesota USA	I have a PDM on my '67 wagon. It is located on the door, symmetrical to the driver's side. It is mostly worthless. I do like a mirror on that side.

Mar 12th, 2024, 02:15	#8
Drembo New Member Last Online: Yesterday 21:19 Join Date: Oct 2023 Location: mountain ranch	I think, when I get one of my seats back together and installed, I'll tape a mirror to the passenger door and see what kind of view I get. I am all for having a better idea of what's over on that side of the car. With a wagon, at least, there is a lot of glass and less of a blind spot.

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