'56 ChevyPosted on 08/16/2012 2:44:55 PM PDT by djone
"Most of us don’t spend much time listening to vinyl anymore, but just like that DJ spinning records in a trendy nightclub, there was a time when you could cue up some 45s in your Chrysler. In 1956, you could get an optional record player in Chrysler, DeSoto, Dodge and Plymouth vehicles......Years ago, automakers used to hide gas caps in stealthy locations. Cars like the ’56 Chevy Bel Air had the gas cap hidden behind a taillight, which would swivel out of the way, while numerous cars from the 60’s and 70’s had their fuel fillers located behind the license plate.
(Excerpt) Read more at blog.allstate.com ...
The 1948 Tucker Sedan pushed the boundaries of car tech in its day. And although only 51 cars were ever made, the Tucker’s third headlight pioneered some of the features found on today’s high-end cars. Known as the “Cyclops Eye,” the Tucker Sedan’s third, middle headlight would swivel with the steering wheel to improve visibility around corners.... op-up Headlights
The first car that could wink its lights at you was the Cord 810, which was introduced in 1936. Each of the Cord’s headlights had a hand crank on the dash, which had to be turned to pop the lights out of the front fenders.
Gas cap behind the license plate lasted until the 1990’s, my 1995 Buick had it there.
Very convenient, didn’t have to worry which side of the pump to pull into.
I had a job pumping gas as a kid (40+ years ago), and I remember those sneaky places where the gas cap was hidden on some cars. I was defeated only once, and it was the first time I had to gas up one of those ‘56 Bel Airs. I had to ask the driver how to find the gas cap.
I have a 1957 Bel Air with the gas in the tail fin. I’m so cool.
I don’t see how that record player could work. Wouldn’t any bump cause it to jump a track?
Some years ago, I was driving through Long Beach, Calif. and saw 1948 Tucker just moving along Long Beach Blvd. like any other car—something you don’t see every day.
Reminds me of that scene in “Vacation” where Clark is searching all over the new car for where to put the gas pump in, after searching everywhere his wife pulls open a hinge on the front hood and yells out “Clark- Isn’t this the gas tank?”.
I miss vent windows.
I had a Riviera like that. The last of the FWD V8 ones.
My grandmother had a baby-blue, 1956 Cadillac. I was always fascinated by the hinged, driver-side [IIRC] tail-light that flipped up to fill the gas tank.
As tiny children, we also loved the rear-seat, center, fold-down armrest which we assumed was a booster seat for, well, tiny children. No car-seat contraptions then, baby. We roamed free!
I put one in my ‘51 Ford. Only used it when we were parked in the hills.
I remember falling asleep on the deck behind the back seat of my Dads 51 Buick.
We only used ‘em while watchin’ the submarine races.
Ah, yes, those were the days . . . :-))
The mechanism was suspended on springs so they would tolerate small bumps. They only played 45s which are less fussy than LPs.
I had one of these once (not in a car, though). Got good money for it.
I thought this too.... but then, my 2003 Honda Odyssey CD player has started doing the same thing. (my only complaint)
I think it was supposed to be used when parked on Lover’s Lane.
“We only used ‘em while watchin’ the submarine races.”
Wasn’t often but occasionally a girl would be surprised that there were submarines in Lake Erie. And that they raced underwater so you could just see the waves.
It had a button on the dashboard which when pushed, would shoot lubricating fluid through the car.
VW Bugs used to have the gas tank and cap under the front hood. Some also had an interesting accessory—a gas heater that tapped off the gas tank. This heater was required in cold climates as the aircooled engine heater put out about as much heat as a hamster blowing on a burned out match. Anyhow the gas heaters smelled bad and used more gasoline than the car engine did. Glad that one went away.
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