Crazy the stuff you remember from when you were a kid, my old man had an '86 Reliant without a passenger side mirror. He splurged on the '88 and I thought I was hot stuff having a mirror on my side not realizing it was for the driver.
It just looks so asymmetrical and stupid and cheap
Not like a Nissan Cube, that's asymmetrical for aesthetics sake
I know blind spots weren't so bad in the day, but I don't know how I could cope in city traffic without that right side view
Apparently the drivers side O/S mirror wasn't Federal law until 1975
Some state laws muddle things even further
I know NY has mandated a rear defrost since '74 ('86 for hatchbacks)
Maybe cars destined for us got more mirrors standard
Like the reversing light, and the rear shoulder belt, I can't think of driving without them as superior, no matter what the old guard thinks
NYS DMV Motor Vehicle Inspection Regulations (CR-78) CR-79.21.g
Inspect mirrors for proper location and mounting. Reject if:
1. (a) 1967 and older model not equipped with at least one mirror, either an interior or left outside mirror. (b) 1968 and newer model not equipped with a left outside mirror. (c) 1970 and newer model not equipped with an adjustable interior mirror in addition to the left outside mirror, unless the vehicle is equipped with dual outside mirrors.