“The explosion in the price of cars was because of the air conditioner button and a normal radio?”
Maybe not. Power windows, door locks, power seats, you know, creature comforts, dominated the change. There were a number of little ego trippings that were placed into cars. I think the first one for aesthetic value was white sidewalls. They were a factory option for ford in 1934. And even before that electric car starters were introduced in 1911 and first appeared on production cars in 1912 so the people didn’t have to go out and crank the engine. But all of it was selling the beasts for convenience and the ego of showing it off by the buyer.
wy69
“There were a number of little ego trippings that were placed into cars”
Brings to mind Ford and the “hard top convertible”.
Saw a hilarious video of the nightmare those things were to get adjusted to work.
I believe electric windows are lighter than crank. I believe weight is driving many of these changes.