4 Bizarre Car Accessories that Used to Be Cool

http://blog.allstate.com/awesome-or-atrocious-4-bizarre-car-accessories-that-used-to-be-cool/ ^

[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.

'56 Chevy

[yarddog]

I like the pictures too. Sometimes we forget just how time changes us. but the car is the same. The difference is they could not keep their bodies the same but they could keep the car the same by giving it great care and love.

[central_va]

As a kid out family 62 old wagon had a a speedometer needle that slide left to right and would change colors, at 60 it turn from green to yellow than after 80 it turned red!

[RGVTx]

This one sleeps in my barn.

[central_va]

Hight belt line cars are back in style!

[central_va]

Hight belt line cars are back in style!

[yarddog]

I remember our next door neighbors and friends always bought the most stripped down model of a pickup and it was usually an International Harvester Pickup.They owned a small dairy and used the pickup to deliver that milk.

Well the last one they bought you had to have a heater as it came on all models. After driving it a few weeks they realized they wanted the heater after all.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Yes, it would. I was for use while parked only.

[mkjessup]

I share similar recollections FRiend, I recall making many a trip with my parents from our home in Maryland (before it became a Communist People's Republic) down to Florida back in the day when there was NO I-95 except for the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike in Virginia, it was U.S. 301 down to Santee South Carolina, and then there were numerous billboards urging motorists to "stay on 301" with more numerous motels, restaurants, etc., which competed with billboards promoting the "Ocean Route" which was U.S. 15 to U.S. 17 and down the coast through Savannah Georgia and on to Jacksonville Florida and the rest of the Sunshine State.

I remember clearly how it was important to pay attention to the motel "vacancy" signs lit up in neon, and when they started turning to "NO" (no vacancy), it meant that you better hurry up and find accomodations for the night OR you would end up driving all night in which case you better have an extra driver and/or lots of coffee in a thermos.

Two lane roads were the norm, and I remember how sometimes we would get backed up behind a tractor trailer running perhaps 50 mph at best, and the first car behind the trucker would pull out in a passing zone, speed ahead of the truck, and would stay in the left lane for as long as it was clear ahead, in order for the drivers behind him to likewise pull out, accelerate ahead past the truck, and then pull back into the right lane, many times the truckers would assist as best they could by running on the very edge of the pavement in order to give a better view ahead for the traffic behind them. Naturally at night, both 4-wheelers and truckers would flash their headlights to indicate they were "all clear" to pull back in if they were passing or being passed, and the truckers would flash their high beams after roaring by as a way of saying "thanks", it was a different America on the highways back then, everyone had a sense of neighborliness and helping each other even in small subtle ways.

I can recall my late Dad having a bit of fun with my Mom, who was always checking to be sure Dad was still awake when driving in the night hours, she would ask "are you ok dear?" and she had a cup of iced tea she was sipping to stay cool (it was summer, no air conditioning and temperatures in the high 80's even at night), and when she asked Dad if he was 'ok' and not getting drowsy, he answered in a fake slurred voice as if he were sound asleep, saying "huh? I don't know where you put the screwdriver, did you look in the kitchen drawer?" and that prompted Mom to yell "WAKE UP!!!" as she tossed that ice tea right at Dad, and he couldn't help but laugh, and Mom said "don't you EVER do that to me again!"

Fun memories.

[Fightin Whitey]

Well, propriety (believe it or not!) prevents me from going into detail here.

But the memories are pretty vivid! (lol)

[mkjessup]

And who can't forget those AM receivers clearly marked for 'CONELRAD'
frequencies at 640 and 1240 kilocycles in the event of a nuclear attack?

[Venturer]

Those memories are very familiar to me. I remember my mother always getting out and looking at the room before we took it, and cleaning the toilet herself before any of us used it.

A sign out front that said Air Conditioning meant a fan in the window.

[twyn1]

what a sweet picture!

I remember climbing up onto the back deck of the family car (a Rambler?) and falling asleep watching the stars — unless we had the dog along, because that was her territory when she was in the car and she’d fight for it. Also recall the whole family (dad, mom,3 girls,dog) plus a friend or two piling in,then picking up Nana & Grandpop too, heading off for a Sunday drive & picnic, with plenty of room, as long as there were laps available.

[mkjessup]

LOL, I remember all those billboards north and south on U.S. 301 announcing that you were ‘X’ number of miles from Pedro’s ‘South of the Border’, and one of the billboards I distinctly recall proclaimed that their ‘honeymoon suites’ were ‘heir conditioned’ which was a real sly way of insinuating that prophylactics were provided by the nightstand, lol

[MarkL]

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!

In the 1970s, the combination of vinyl bench seats and polyester pants made every turn an amusement park ride!

Mark

[Nik Naym]

“CAn we discuss your girlfriends lubricating fluid in greater detail?”

Wouldn’t you rather hear about the button?

[Grams A]

I miss vent windows.”

So do I. One of the most useful things on a car. It was great for women. You could have fresh air coming in without ruining your beehive. Wonder why they got rid of them.

I hate the new cars. I like to have my window down and rest my arm on the frame. Window openings in the new cars are so high you can’t do that anymore. Also loved the old seats that went all the way across. Lots more room and way more comfortable.

[truth_seeker]

American Graffiti was somewhat vague timewise, but it sure depicted the car scene in the mid 60s for much of California.

We cruised Whittier Blvd between Bob’s in Whittier and McDonalds in LaHabra, and occasionally down Harbor Blvd (was Fullerton Rd.) to Carl’s in Anaheim.

We parked in LaHabra Heights, or near the Nike base in Brea.

We board surfed mostly at Dana Point, before the harbor, and body surfed at 15th St. in Newport.

Tim Morgan played at the Prison of Socrates, Dick Dale played at the Harmony Park Ballroom, we went to Union in Buena Park, some similar place in Montebello.

I saw Bob Dylan play at Wilson High School Long Beach Dec. 1964, and saw the Beatles at Hollywood Bowl Aug. 1965.

We drove all over SoCal chasing fun.

I remember getting a Vibrasonic accessory for my AM radio, next an 8 track, and next an FM for home.

During 1868 FM “underground” radio had fantastic music. The history of both AM and F music radio stations from the period is an entire subject.

Carwise I was an original, with a 1953 MG TD, then an 1964 VW bug. The girls loved the MG, unique, rebeluous, etc. I loved the girls.

My Dad had first a 1963 Pontiac Catalina 2 door coupe, then a 1965 Buick Riviera with 2 x four barrel carbs.

Life was good.

[cva66snipe]

I remember climbing up onto the back deck of the family car (a Rambler?) and falling asleep watching the stars — unless we had the dog along, because that was her territory when she was in the car and she’d fight for it. Also recall the whole family (dad, mom,3 girls,dog) plus a friend or two piling in,then picking up Nana & Grandpop too, heading off for a Sunday drive & picnic, with plenty of room, as long as there were laps available.

Our Rambler was a 59 station wagon. It had a deep love for eating ignition switches, rear wheel bearings, and the linkage hanging up {Straight shift on the column}. At about 8 years old I had mastered the fine art of putting a screwdriver across the solenoid {down at the starter} as well as unsticking the shifter linkage. Dad would be at work and Mom would take us out running errands and shopping in it. I learned mechanics fast LOL. The next AMC product I ever road in was several Gremlins I owned as an adult.

[nascarnation]

Wonder why they got rid of them.

I've got vent windows in my 67 Camaro.

I think the reality is they're no substitute for air conditioning.

I agree before air cond was in most every car they were very useful.

[Dr. Sivana]

You could get FM converters which would plug into your 8-track player’s slot.

No to mention the 8-track to cassette converters.