The automobile industry, like fashion, experiences trends, and not all of them stick around. As we move into an era of self-driving cars and touchscreen everything, some beloved and quirky car features have been left in the dust. Let’s take a winding trip down memory lane and explore the 10 discontinued car features we desperately want back.
Pop-Up Headlights
Oh, the good ol’ pop up headlights. Nothing says cool quite like your car winking at you as it lights up the night. The 80s and 90s were flooded with these iconic features adorning cars like the Chevrolet Corvette, Mazda RX 7, and Lamborghini Countach. But thanks to stringent pedestrian safety regulations, they were phased out. These headlights weren’t just functional. They were full of personality. Imagine your car giving a flirty wink as you rev the engine. It’s a tragic loss for those who loved how they turned a mundane vehicle into something straight out of an action movie.
Bench Seats
Remember when cars were more like living rooms on wheels? The bench seat, especially in the front, has been a staple of large sedans and trucks for decades. It was wide, comfy, and perfect for cozying up with a passenger. The front bench seat turned many cars into social spaces where you could easily slide over to the driver or snuggle up during a drive-in movie. Today, bench seats are almost extinct, thanks to bucket seats and center consoles dominating modern interiors. We say bring them back!
Manual Window Cranks
Ah, the days of rolling down your window with a trusty crank: No button required, just pure elbow grease. Sure, it took a little effort, but manual windows never broke down. These cranks were reliable, and their simplicity made them timeless. In an era of overcomplicated electronics that can malfunction at any given moment, there’s something refreshingly retro about manually rolling your window up and down. Plus, it’s a built-in arm workout.
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighters
Before USB ports and cupholders took over, cars had ashtrays and cigarette lighters. Even if you didn’t smoke, these features were strangely helpful. The cigarette lighter became a universal power source for all kinds of things: phone chargers, mini vacuums, and even powering your radar detector. While smoking in cars isn’t as common as it once was, these little details made cars feel lived-in.
T-Tops
Can’t decide between a hardtop and a convertible? Enter the T-top! Popular in cars like the Pontiac Firebird and Nissan 300ZX, T-tops offered the thrill of open-air driving without fully committing to a convertible. They were two removable roof panels that gave you the best of both worlds: wind in your hair but with a bit more structural integrity. Sadly, the T-top was phased out due to issues with leaking and structural rigidity.
Tailfins
The tailfin era of the 1950s was a time of bold, dramatic designs. Inspired by the aviation industry, car designers decided that cars needed giant fins sticking out of the back, making them look like they could take off at any moment. Tailfins were all about glitz and style, from the Cadillac Eldorado to the Chevrolet Bel Air. They served no practical purpose, but they didn’t need to. Tailfins stated: This car is here to fly down the road in style.
Handbrake Levers
In the quest to make everything sleek and tech-forward, carmakers have replaced the classic handbrake lever with an electronic button. Sure, it saves space and looks cleaner, but yanking up the handbrake feels right. Handbrake turns? Goodbye. The satisfying click of the lever engaging? Gone. Today’s button feels clinical. Handbrake levers gave us control, and for those who have fond memories of pulling them and executing a (terribly irresponsible) sharp turn in an empty parking lot, they’re sorely missed.
Hood Ornaments
There was a time when cars came with more than just logos on their grilles. They had full-blown hood ornaments and sculptures that made your car feel like a chariot of the gods. From the Rolls Royce Spirit of Ecstasy to the leaping Jaguar, these mini statues were a badge of honor for luxury cars. Sure, safety concerns and theft risks led to their demise, but who wouldn’t want to see a comeback of classy hood ornaments!
Opera Windows
Opera windows were those tiny, pill-shaped windows often found on the rear side of the 1970s and early 1980s luxury cars such as the Lincoln Continental and Chrysler Cordoba. Were they functional? Not really. Did they make you feel like you were riding in a private jet instead of a car? Absolutely. Today, car windows have become all about visibility and practicality. But what’s the harm in a bit of flair? Opera windows were the perfect symbol of unnecessary extravagance; we could all use a little more of that in our lives.
Hidden Fuel Caps
Remember the days when finding the fuel cap was a mini adventure? Whether it was hidden behind a flip-up taillight like on the 1956 Chevrolet or tucked behind a panel, finding the gas cap was a quirky and fun feature. It was as if the car was saying, “I have secrets. Can you find them?” Today’s gas caps are, well, just there. They’re practical but boring.
12 Cars That Are Known for Their Unbreakable Reliability — They Just Don’t Quit
Reliability is a core feature that defines a vehicle. Over the last few decades, some vehicles have emerged as a reliable and durable option, standing out as workhorses that never quit. These vehicles not only prove themselves in terms of performance but transcend their role and become reliable partners, always fulfilling their role. Here are 12 Cars known for their unbreakable reliability.
12 Cars That Are Known for Their Unbreakable Reliability — They Just Don’t Quit
