It had a button on the dashboard which when pushed, would shoot lubricating fluid through the car.
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.
I miss vent windows.
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!
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.
The picture of the 56 Chevy isn’t showing up for me.
Heck, I just want to find one of those aftermarket cupholders you stick on your window sill. Need to hang it on the sidecar of my Ural. Nobody carries them any more.
I tried the trick of putting my mocha in the spokes of the spare tire. That must only be for staying still. Bernoulli effect sprayed coffee all over my trunk.
Moonroof.
I remember my Brother’s 55 Buick had the starter in the accelerator pedal. When you pressed on the accelerator the starter was engaged. I guess it had some solenoid or something which disengaged after it started.
I also remember my Father’s pickup had a throttle. It was sort of an early cruise control except it simply kept the carburetor at the same amount of gas. There was nothing automatic about it. You had to push it back in if you stopped.
You couldn’t cue up 45’s in your Chrysler.
Hi-Way Hi-Fi played 16-2/3 RPM disks.
I miss vent windows. I also miss floor vents, and station-wagon rear windows that could be rolled down. I miss big V-8 engines that would let you cruise effortlessly at 75 miles an hour or more all day long, hardly noticing hills or mountains.
I miss the days when everyone looked forward to the new fall models, with the top-secret new models hidden under sheets as they were rolled along during the Fourth of July parade. There were expensive color brochures in the showroom, all shot with gorgeous sunsets playing on the sleek flanks of the new cars. I miss the excitement when the family bought a new Chevrolet every other September (because only Democrats bought Fords).
For that matter, I miss good old Detroit steel that could survive an accident over 20 miles an hour without being totalled. I miss road trips, and Sunday drives, both concepts that my own children have not been exposed to because gas is so expensive and no one has the time anyway.
What the hell have they done to my country?
The richest guy in our HS had a new midnight blue 1964 Impala with a 45 rpm record player where the glove compartment usually was. Kewl!
Family had a 1960 DeSoto which had front seats that would swivel when the doors opened to allow easy exit.
My first car was a 1953 Plymouth with a flat head 6 cyn
and a power glide transmission that was a standard or and automatic. Neither of which worked very well.