Purist Looking for Opinions...

[7E-Bodies]

As many know, I'm mid project on a JS23U0B matching number car with 95% of it's original goodies, 64k mile, long indoor storage and very low rust car. The drivetrain is completely rebuilt now and ready. Original seats have only a small seam split in the driver seat. It's a G33 code (Driver's side only mirror). All of this to explain what I'm working with. Now that the body is rocking and rolling (partial pun intended as it's on a rotisserie now) I'm looking for opinions as to whether to pull the trigger and install a passenger side mirror as well. I see that Roseville Moparts has the mirror with hardware/mounting supplied and @MoparDave has been a godsend on this build. I've been as meticulous as possible with trying to not deviate on this resto. If it were purely a bolt-on issue, I'd have no qualms, but I would of course have to drill and mount the studs(?) or whatever they're called. I can't imagine driving this thing with a huge blind spot over my right shoulder (or would there be?). This is my ninth 70/71 Challenger and my first G33. It's also a V5F car and after 6 months of delay, I now have a nearly perfect set of ultra rare trim ready to go. That said, I'm really trying to stay original as possible. I get the 50-50 argument of "it's my car, do what I want" but this is drilling into an original door skin. If this was one of my 318 cars, or my 225 car, it'd be a no brainer. Just looking for opinions. Let's hear it!
(and while you're at it, tell me if it gets located in the exact same spot as the driver's side)

[Rich G.]

You know what they say about opinions! I was in the same boat and put on the mirror. I like seeing what is there when I drive.

[71vert340]

 Tough decision. If you have a spare door, I'd say mount the mirror on the spare door after having it painted with the rest of the car. Keep the original door with no mirror and also painted. This way, you can have the best of both. I have a photo that I'll post with the original passenger door with the mirror with a tape measure showing the distance. Once an original door is drilled and the nutserts installed, there's no going back to original. Just my opinion.
Terry W.

[RUNCHARGER]

Tough decision. My FM3 car had both mirrors from the factory but like all of them the right mirror wouldn't stay up and was totally useless. It didn't really bother me and I drove it that way for 18 years. My Hemi Cuda, Hemi Charger and most of my other Mopars never had them either. The Challenger wasn't great but was workable, my 71 Hemi Charger was really blind but I didn't have any problems with it either.
They certainly look better with both and are easier to drive with both. Traffic these days is a lot worse than it was 50 years ago. Most people won't notice if you add it either.

[anlauto]

What's the plan for the resto ? Is it "ALL" correct otherwise ? numbered hoses, date coded parts, PolyGlas tires, etc...? If so, I would never add a mirror....if you're doing radial tires and plain hoses, regular battery....then in my opinion you're building a nice driver and adding a mirror is no big deal.....

YES ... same location as the driver's side

[7E-Bodies]

@anlauto yes to all

[anlauto]

I do agree with Sheldon, that most people would never notice or care....

[7E-Bodies]

@71vert340 looks like you went out to take that measurement for me. Having done that many times for others on different questions, I certainly appreciate it and will refer to it in the shop tomorrow.

[7E-Bodies]

I'm at bare metal now on an OEM door, so I'm really on the fence before I epoxy it.

[Skdmark]

A tale of two cars somewhat along these lines.

My 71 R/T came from the factory with the plain jane stock manual DS mirror. A previous owner added a pair of cheapo aftermarket manual mirrors. When restoring the car, I replaced the aftermarket mirrors with a pair of factory painted racing mirrors which includes the remote DS mirror. No big deal as the PS door had holes already in it. However, I had to drill the DS door panel to add the remote mirror control. I did this around 28 years ago.

About 20 years ago I started regretting drilling the door panel for the remote control and still do. It's one of those things I'll correct when I re-restore the car. I picked up a mint passenger door with no mirror holes. But now I need to get a new door panel for the DS which means I probably need to replace PS door panel so they match...

My 71 Barracuda is G33 optioned (A04 package). Never had a PS side mirror in +52 years (I've owned it for 3). My wife does not like not having a PS mirror when driving it. I told her if she is driving it properly no one will pass you on the right.
I on the other hand am perfectly fine driving without the PS mirror.

The factory mirrors are small and you can't see much. Plus they tend to move out of position too.
Is a mirror helpful/nice to have? YES. Got to have? NO.

I've found by having no PS mirror forces you to be more engaged/aware when driving.

>>>>>>>>>>>>
I would go stock no PS mirror.
If you really don't like it, you can mount the chrome PS mirror after painting.

[dodj]

I would not add the mirror to the original door.
You did all the rest as original.
I like Terry's idea. Get a spare door if you really think you need the mirror

[Fastmark]

I've got one on my AAR and they are hard to see out of anyway and are always out of adjustment. My vote is No on the added mirror and just bend your neck and look.👌

[torredcuda]

The small mirrors on these cars are marginal, even when my passenger side stays adjusted correctly (I need to tighten the glass mount) it is pretty useless and I don`t trust it and just look over my shoulder. I like the look of both mirrors as my OCD likes symmetry but I wouldn`t add it just because of safety reasons. Why go to all the trouble of keeping it per factory original only to deviate from that?

[R/T's 4 R/P]

I agree with Torred, the RH mirror is only marginally better in a very few cases.. I would say it is only better when backing into a garage.
I have drive one of my cars for years and it only has the drivers side, you get used to it.
(On a funny note...it is obvious some people have low spatial awareness as it evident by the the numerous scrapes on their daily drivers.)

[fc7cuda]

I've got one on my AAR and they are hard to see out of anyway and are always out of adjustment. My vote is No on the added mirror and just bend your neck and look.👌

I agree, I'm not adding it to my Cuda which sounds very similar to your Challenger. 

Our heads are usually on a swivel anyways when driving, not having the mirror won't be missed only regretted.  IMO