Re: fender mounted rear view mirrors

Posted by BH On 2010/2/10 12:08:17

KevinAZ (and Bob1951)-

I believe it was the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 that first required, among other things, the installation of an outside rearview mirror as standard equipment in production of all new motor vehicles, but only for the driver's side.

Alternate syles of outside rearview mirrors would still appear in accessory catalogs, like the cable-operated remote-controlled mirrors - as an available step up. GM's body-colored, bullet-style sport mirrors have always been one of my favorites, but I'm not sure those would look right on any '50s-era car.

Prior to that Act, outside rearview mirrors were purely optional.

Yet, while Federal laws generally take precedence over state laws that regulate the same activity, I don't know if any of the states may have had laws requiring the use of such mirrors prior to 1966.

Used to be most cops wouldn't fuss over such things on when it came to an antique motor vehcile, but these days, it might pay to do a little resarch and keep a copy of any relevant legislation in the glove box to back up your defense.