Ok so I can't believe I didn't notice this until this weekend but the 69 calais that I bought...it has no passenger side mirror! Not only that, but there's no spot for a passenger side mirror! The door has no signs of repair so if it did have a side mirror on the passenger side wouldn't there be some bolt holes and marks on the door? it's so weird

A lot of cars back then didn't have passenger side mirrors.

Well not all cars had them back then.

In fact, I know well into the 80s (and possibly early 90s?) it was only required to have one side-view mirror, because my friend's mom drove a Ford Escort that only had one.

I can't find the year it was changed to require 2 side mirrors yet though. Now I'm curious.

My '70 brougham was like that. I always thought that was so cool. I think it was an option back then.

I would guess that the second mirror was an option, and standard, it had one.

My 69 convertible only had the drivers side mirror, the passenger side was an optional extra. On e-bay expect to pay:-
A drivers side mirror $20+
A passenger side mirror $400+
This shows they were extras
If you want to put one on you have to drill your own holes.

I can't find the year it was changed to require 2 side mirrors yet though. Now I'm curious.

I don't think it is a law that you need two side mirrors. In August of 1978, DOT updated the current mirror law to say that all vehicles must be equipped with at least two mirrors; one on the driver's door and one mounted on the windshield. Currently, the law is "if the car came form the factory with a passenger side mirror, it is illegal without it." I think auto manufactures just got lazy and stopped offering small, factory options, and started making all cars interchangeable.

Ah, never knew that. I figured it was some kind of safety law, because I can definitely see where having a passenger side mirror makes a lot of things (i.e. lane changes to the right) a hell of a lot safer.

Figured it was a law kind of like how 1987 (I believe) was the year for third brake lights to be required.

Not only was the passenger side mirror optional (except on the Fleetwood Series 75), they were manual (no remote control from inside the car) until model year 1971! My '69 FWB doesn't have a passenger side mirror, but my '77 CDV does (optional in 1977, too!), and the lack of it takes some getting used to.

Other unexpected things that were optional on 1969 Cadillacs: a radio (any radio!) and power door locks.

I can see power door locks being optional. But really? A radio? What the hell? A car without a radio is TORTURE.

A $5466 (the base price of a Calais coupe) car with no radio. For reference, that was a boatload of money in 1969. Oh, did I mention the standard blackwall tires?

That's just not fair.

Sounds like the way BMW options their cars. A base 3 or 1 series has "leatherette" vinyl seats, no power operation of the seats, no ipod jack, every paint color except non-pearl white or non-pearl black is a $550 option, wood trim is an extra cost option, etc.

When a friend went and purchased a new 1995 Dodge Neon years ago she told the dealer she didnt want any options... The car did not come with a passenger side mirror.

1987 (I believe) was the year for third brake lights to be required.

85, found that out when I got pulled over in my old third gen maro. I had an 82 with an 85 hatchback on it and they thought it was stolen.

when i was younger my mom owned a 77 olds delta 88 and it too had no passenger side mirror, i though it looked odd!

Yeah to me it looks unsymmetrical and unbalanced. I might get a side mirror from a newer model (my 87 brougham has the same mirrors or so it seems) so I might be able to find a passenger side one cheaper, or replace both. We will see

I've always thought the cars that had no passenger mirror were cool. It looks different, makes the car look less generic, and is very traditional of sports packages.

My grandmom's '84 Pariseanne doesn't have a passenger mirror. And the driver one is manual. I never liked the asymmetry that comes from it.

Yeah to me it looks unsymmetrical and unbalanced. I might get a side mirror from a newer model (my 87 brougham has the same mirrors or so it seems) so I might be able to find a passenger side one cheaper, or replace both. We will see

Be careful, the base is shaped to fit the side contour of the car, and later model mirrors may not line up correctly, leaving the mirror in an odd orientation.

Oh man, thanks for the warning. I'll have to look into it further before buying them...Anyone have any tips? I might just leave it alone but the asymmetry of it just doesn't look right

I think it looks fine, there are more assymetrical things in the car other than mirrors - how about the steering wheel. Unless you get a McLaren F1...

This is an advertisement brochure photo of a 69 Calais

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e172/Tennesseestorm/Misc%20car%20photos/72CadillacCalais-1.jpg

This is a real life comparison between two 69 Calais Sedans, one with a side mirror and one with out.

http://luxurycarphotos.tripod.com/69cadillaccalaissedan.jpg

In my personal opinion, the passenger side mirror doesn't add much to the car.

OOPS Thats a 1971 four door hardtop, just like my first caddy back in 1986.

I can see power door locks being optional. But really? A radio? What the hell? A car without a radio is TORTURE.

I checked out one of my car books,in 1969 a radio for a caddy was

a.m. radio $162.00

a.m./f.m. $188.00

a.m./f.m./stereo $288.00.

The list of options is plenty.

OOPS Thats a 1971 four door hardtop, just like my first caddy back in 1986.

No... The front of the 71 is different.

71

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2526/4001/31314500006_medium.jpg

69

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4960/4201/24899600008_medium.jpg

If you plan on mounting a mirror on the right, they used a different window belt trim piece for those with the right rear morror.

No... The front of the 71 is different.

71

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2526/4001/31314500006_medium.jpg

69

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/2/4960/4201/24899600008_medium.jpg

Sorry, Sven, the brown car you posted is indeed a 1971 Calais sedan. But, the point you were trying to make is valid anyway.

Sorry, Sven, the brown car you posted is indeed a 1971 Calais sedan. But, the point you were trying to make is valid anyway.

I completely forgot about that one. The site I got the picture from has it listed as a 69.