Well I wasn't planning on installing an inside mirror....

[benfrogg]

That was until I hit a deer on my treck home from a gig last night. It was a small deer, <200 #'s, but still. It took out my drivers mirror, dented the fender, and trashed the aftermarket one piece headlight assembly. It also put some less noticeable dents in the hood/my alloy skin grille block.



So, I saved the old headlights and put them back on, zero cost.
I took off the fender and bumped it back out, zero cost.
I mounted an internal side mirror and coroplasted/caulked the mirror spot outside, $10 mirror from advance.
I bought a wide view rear view mirror to help compensate for the lack of external mirror view, $10 from advance.
I had to buy a new bulb(s) for the corner light, $7 from advance.





About $30 after tax. Well, necessity is the mother of all inventions as they say.
B

[GasSavers_Erik]

Looks like a good fix- its good that the damage was only minor- especially after you have done so many improvements to the car. It would have been a real shame if it would have been heavily damaged or totaled.

[bowtieguy]

sounds like you enjoy making lemonade.

[benfrogg]

I do like lemonade... A friend mentioned that I should be glad it was Bambi not Bullwinkel. I agree! I am glad it didn't destroy this car; it's been great to me on MPG's lately.

On another positive note, state law says if you hit it, you keep it, if you want it. I didn't have room in the car or a plan to deal with it, so the cop and I threw it over the snowbank. I called my old job (and my old crew was working) and a guy from my old crew went and got it last night. He's a john rambo type. He has three kids and is having trouble feeding them. This bambi will help him out a lot.
I suppose, the silver lining can be had in most anything.
B

[benfrogg]

By the way, can I get some translation on the legality of this?
Maine Law:
"?1913. Mirrors 1. Mirrors required. A person may not operate on a public way a vehicle so constructed, equipped, loaded or used that the operator is prevented from having a constantly free and unobstructed view of the way immediately to the rear, unless there is attached a mirror or reflector placed and adjusted to afford the operator a clear, reflected view of the highway to the rear of the vehicle for a distance of at least 200 feet. [ 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, ?2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, ?5 (AFF) .]

2. Temporary mirrors. When a vehicle is operated without a trailer or semitrailer, temporary outside rearview mirrors must be removed or otherwise adjusted so as not to extend beyond the width of the automobile. [ 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, ?2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, ?5 (AFF) .]

3. Motorcycles. A motorcycle must be equipped with a rear view mirror mounted and adjusted to afford the operator a clear, reflected view of the highway in the rear for a distance of at least 200 feet. [ 2005, c. 577, ?26 (AMD) .] "

I think that means I'm still technically legal since I have the rear view still?
B

[theholycow]

Should be, but of course an officer who's having a bad day might interpret things differently than you.

The temporary mirrors part is about strap-on and telescoping towing mirrors and is not related to your situation.

[benfrogg]

I guess I'll just find out if I get pulled over. Next inspection I could always throw a mirror on for the inspection, take it off afterward.
B

[Sludgy]

But the most important question: Do you eat roadkill?

[IndyFetch]

I think you're fine with the inside rear-view. The small inside side mirror is an added bonus. All that law says is that you have an unobstructed view behind you (i.e. you can see out the rear window) unless you have an outside mirror that allows you to see 200 feet. Unless you cram a ton of stuff in your car and block your view out the rear, you're going to be fine. Even then, you could argue that your small inside side mirror allows you to see behind you for 200 feet.

That law is likely intended to make sure all panel vans, box trucks, etc. without rear windows have outside mirrors.

~Jon, the legal document guy

[benfrogg]

Sludgy-
Well, if my buddy drops off a steak or two I'd certainly eat it!
Fetch-
Thanks.
I think you are right. It's like a lot of laws I've seen; there's so much room for interpretation that it could mean it's legal or it's not. I think it's fine. They'll tell me when I go for a sticker if it's okay or not.
B