These Are The Old Car Features That Should Make A Comeback

Jalopnik ^ | 19 April 2022 | Adam Ismail

[DUMBGRUNT]

Here's to the days of big windows, bumpers built for bumping and foot-operated controls.

Round, Sealed Headlights Yeah, I know they’re not the greatest aerodynamically, but replacing a bulb on a modern car sometimes requires partially disassembly of the front end just to get at the bulb.

My co-worker just spend $225 to replace ONE BULB on her Acura

Amber Rear Turn Signals The safety of tri-colored tail lights. Red for stop. Amber for turn or hazard. White for reverse.

Replaceable Head Units Or better yet, just make it an actual iPad so I can replace it with a better one that runs an app of the car’s software.

Imagine if you could pop off that dumb less-useful-than-a-tablet tablet on top of any given Mazda’s dashboard and fit an iPad that actually works.

Not-Power Windows Crank windows. More reliable than power windows, much finer control over movements, and I don’t have to turn the ignition on to use it.

[Avalon Memories]

But, face it, autos have improved and I say good riddance to some of the old ways.

I agree with you. I have a 2015 Toyota Sienna that is the best car (of many) that I've ever owned. I'm sure the later models are even better than the 2015. (By the way, I'm a geezer at 75.)

[snoringbear]

“I miss wing windows.”
************

Agree. Modern cars are aerodynamically designed to be driven with the windows up. If the side windows are dropped while driving a harmonic buffeting is created that’s very irritating. And, it’s difficult to eliminate even by diddling with other windows so to get the cross flow in sync. Pain in the @$$.

[T.B. Yoits]

Ok until they got to hand cranked windows. No thanks. I see zero chance of that happening. LOL

There several companies that sell vehicles with hand cranked windows. Some are on the economy end but commercial pickup trucks in particular have them. Cost, user demand, reliability, and multiple occupants in and out instead of relying on the key holder factor into the demand.

[Governor Dinwiddie]

#2: "I miss wing windows."

Yes. I guess that's what I call 'vent windows', the little triangular windows on the 'A' pillar which you could crack open to let fresh air in.

I also want to vote for the floor mounted high-beam switch which you could stomp on to control the high beams. There is so much crap on the steering column now that it is easy to activate the wipers or lights by accident. Let's have a pull-on dash board switch for lights again.

[itsahoot]

I miss wing windows.

These too.

[DUMBGRUNT]

—” He may have HID’s that blinded you in your mirrors,”

General Motors recalls 740K SUVs; headlights are too bright

https://www.ksl.com/article/50372762/general-motors-recalls-740k-suvs-headlights-are-too-bright#:~:text=General%20Motors%20is%20recalling%20more,automaker%20to%20avoid%20the%20recall.

[refermech]

Hard to shift with a 4 speed. Always end up grabbing some leg...

[Bob434]

I screw it to the tire, but I keep losing it 😆 I keep the key on my keyring, and keep my ignition key separate because of the door locking issue. I should though have a key holder, magnetic, also for a final backup incase I lost the key ring too, which I’ve done before.

[Sequoyah101]

Many moons ago we would make a long trip to Kansas City on Friday evenings and most of that night to visit my Dad’s parents and other family. I can still hear the click of the dimmer switch in my light sleep.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

I REALLY miss the foot high-beam switch.

And the HUGE fresh air vents at calf / foot level on our ‘66 Bonneville. When you opened this vents on the Interstate, you had to make sure your seatbelt was fastened or that air blast would push you right out of the seat!

[itsahoot]

Swamp cooler for your car.

[itsahoot]

I like being able to open and close all 4 windows from the driver’s seat. I never have a problem with them.

Not to mention locking them.

[Demiurge2]

I think losing the floor-mounted dimmer switches was actually a good idea. They always tended to rust, gum up and stick.

[itsahoot]

Tata beat Tucker by 10 years Jay leno has one.

[RinaseaofDs]

Wing windows are great for smoking cigars.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Knobs and levers — absolutely! You could find the few you needed without taking your eyes off the road and know the control position by feel. We have a small Mercedes SUV and the fan speed controls are black buttons down low on the panel. The buttons are the size of a pencil eraser and have faint white symbols on them. It is absolutely impossible to use them while driving. The designers are idiots.

[z3n]

Made me think of this:

Paradise By the Dashboard Light.

R.I.P. Meatloaf.

~~~

Great little 3-part mini opera about being a teenager in the 60s and 70s (not that I was one). From what I gather, people in the 50s, 60s, and 70s used to really love their cars, as well as lust in them. lol

[itsahoot]

Yep, and have keys made a t local hardware store thst both unlo k the car and start it without costing near $100 for one key.

More like $250.00 where I live and don't even mention keyless car fobs. Truth is I bought two Toyota cars in the last twenty years, never spent a dime on anything except tires and batteries. I have a 2001 Ford Expedition for bug out car, wife just bought new Highlander with more features than I can use will be the last car I will ever buy because it will about last me for sure. Well if they don't outlaw gas cars before then it will.

[AlaskaErik]

I would never want to go back to the days of old cars. Who needs a lap vent when you have ventilated seats? As a bonus, those seats heat up in the winter. Amber turn signals?! I remember when red was all we had. Amber is relatively recent. I first saw it in the early 70s. Hand crank windows?! Are you serious?! I can open all four windows in my truck with the push of one button. I can adjust any window from the driver's seat while I'm driving. Foot operated headlight dimmer? Yeah, I remember those. They would freeze up in the winter. Now my car has auto high beam. Set it and forget it. They dim when there is oncoming traffic or when you're coming up on a slower vehicle. Then they go back to high beam when there is no other traffic. All done automatically. Sealed beam headlights? No thank you. I have LED headlights that are much brighter, and they swivel when making a turn, so I can see what's around the corner.

I'll take the technology of today over the what we had in the past any day.

[Sequoyah101]

Never ever once had a problem. Have an original on the truck that is now 50 years old. Still works fine.