Why did they make cars with only one side mirror back in the old days? (convertible, buy)

[pinetreecity]

Originally Posted by ArkansasTraveler

Getting a bit off topic here but...

That picture explains a lot! Car trunks used to be real trunks! That trunk even has handles. Could you remove the trunk from the vehicle?

[drjones96]

Originally Posted by Ultrarunner

Model A Fords came Standard with one Tail Light. Some Deluxe Models, in some years had two as standard.... such as the A-400 and 1930 Model A Deluxe Roadster.

That explains a lot. Thanks. I suppose the ones I've seen have been deluxe or upgraded by the owners or dealers.

[burdell]

Originally Posted by Greatday

When right side mirrors started becoming standard equipment, they were not remotely adjustable - you rolled down the right window, leaned across the front seat - made an adjustment - sat up and checked it.

Or, you had your passenger adjust it for you.

I remember leaning out the ight side window to adjust the mirror, several times! WHAT a PITA!

I should have added I believe the availability of relatively inexpensive remote adjustabilty made the right side mirror a much more user-friendly, practical accessory.

[ArkansasTraveler]

Originally Posted by pinetreecity

Getting a bit off topic here but...

That picture explains a lot! Car trunks used to be real trunks! That trunk even has handles. Could you remove the trunk from the vehicle?

Yes - it sat on a folding 'rack'. Dads Reo truck had a stop light that had STOP in the lens. I thought the picture was the best way to explain a "trunk". Some cars had no outside mirrors, some had the mirrors mounted on the spare tires that set in finder wells.

[Tennesseestorm]

Originally Posted by Mopac1980

I have seen some late 1970s Lincoln's without the passenger side mirror's and some mid 1970's Cadillac's without the passenger side mirror's, you rarely see any Grandville's around and I think they're really nice cars, how good is your Grandville as far as performance goes? It must have the 455 4 barrel motor am I correct?

Yep, the tank has for a 455 4bbl engine. Its a 1973, so its got alot of the emission controls, but it will still get this 4700 lb car down the road quite swiftly.

True, you do not see many of these - Pontiac only used the name from 1971-1975, because before and after that, Bonneville was the top of the line model. The year I have, only around 44,000 were made. This is one of the early 70s cars where you see so many do differently optioned. Mine has power windows, power locks, tilt wheel, A/C, AM radio (yes, even this was optional ), "Custom" interior option, lower door courtesy lights, vinyl top, door edge gaurds, and bumper gaurds. Some options I know it does not have that was available are - automatic climate control, cruise control, power seat, power trunk release, cornering lights, deluxe wheel covers (which I actually added), FM radio, 8-track, to mention a few.

I have seen some of these cars even without A/C, or some with power windows, but manual locks, or manual windows and power locks, some with tilt, but no cruise control, but them some with cruise control and no tilt! Back in the 60s and 70s, you basically ordered whatever single option back then, unlike option packages of today.

This Pontiac is only one of my tanks - as I also have a 1972 Chevrolet Caprice Estate station wagon.... it was the top of the line Chevrolet that year, but only an average optioned car - with the 3rd seat, A/C, tilt wheel, AM radio, deluxe wheel covers, towing package, luggage rack and the 402 BB engine and the passenger side mirror . It lacks power windows, power locks, cruise and power seat. One VERY rare option that these wagons had that I have yet to personally see on another is the brocade cloth interior option. It was only offered in 1972 on the Caprice wagons and I have never seen one with it.

Here is a photo of the beast (the Pontiac)....


Well - about more mirrors - here are more photos I found...
Here is a 72' Chevrolet Caprice sedan without the side mirror:


Here is the stationwagon version of my Pontiac....
1973 Grand Safari with no side mirror

then a mirror...


1972 Grand Safari with no woodgrain, but has the mirror:


1972 Grand Ville - no side mirror:


1972 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser - no mirror


one with a mirror...


Here are a couple of good examples (except they are bruised and battered)- 1971 Cadillac with no side mirror...

and a top of the line 1973 Cadillac Fleetwood with no mirror and this was one of the most expensive cars you could buy in 1973...

Then here is a lower priced DeVille with the mirror...

[12GO]

Here is a couple of my 61 Catalina 2 dr sedan. No out side mirror.

[AllenKarber]

My '64 C10 truck had no rear mirror and only one side mirror and no seat belts of course. It's all metal and the gas tank is right behind you in the cab. I installed mirrors on both sides of the truck,but elsewise it's still the same as it came from the factory. It has no power brakes,steering,or A/C.

I have upgraded the engine,transmission,wheels and tires,and brakes.

I wish cars were still simple.

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by AllenKarber

My '64 C10 truck had no rear mirror and only one side mirror and no seat belts of course. It's all metal and the gas tank is right behind you in the cab. I installed mirrors on both sides of the truck,but elsewise it's still the same as it came from the factory. It has no power brakes,steering,or A/C.

I have upgraded the engine,transmission,wheels and tires,and brakes.

I wish cars were still simple.

That's why it will run forever!!!

[jtur88]

Haven't you ever seen the old movies? The driver turned his head around and looked directly out the back window to see who is following him.

[JR_C]

I have a 64 Fairlane wagon, and it has mirrors on both sides. But, I don't know if they were original.

Speaking of things that we take for granted that weren't always standard... my car doesn't have back-up lights. They were an available option--most of the tail lights I see on ebay have the back-up light in the center.

Oh, and the dash is not padded.