Decades ago, car companies took risks you simply would not see today. Safety rules were looser, imagination was wilder and customers loved novelty. The result was a strange mix of features that feel unbelievable by modern standards. Some were charming, some were clever and some were downright baffling. These ten oddities prove that the golden age of cars also produced some of the weirdest ideas ever sold.
Swing Away Steering Wheels that Moved Out of the Way
Ford’s swing away wheel from the early 60s was a feature that let the entire steering wheel slide toward the center of the dash when the driver opened the door. It made climbing in easier, especially for cars with long coupe doors. The idea was surprisingly practical, yet completely vanished once airbags and tighter safety rules arrived. Today it feels like something out of retro science fiction.
Automatic Seat Belts that Strapped You In
In the 80s and early 90s, some cars had motorized shoulder belts that moved along the door frame and pinned you into your seat as soon as you started the car. The belts were meant to encourage safety without forcing drivers to buckle up manually. Instead, they became famous for trapping hair, clothes and fingers. They quietly disappeared when airbags became mandatory, leaving behind a very odd chapter in safety history.
Record Players Built into the Dash
Chrysler once offered an in car record player called the Highway Hi Fi. It played special seven inch vinyl discs designed to resist skipping. Drivers could cruise along with their favorite albums spinning beside them. The idea was ambitious, but vibrations from American roads caused problems. In the end, it became more novelty than necessity, yet it remains one of the strangest luxury options ever sold.
Built In Coolers Hidden in the Consoles
By the 50s and 60s, American automakers loved adding comfort features, including in car coolers that kept drinks chilled long before modern air conditioned glove boxes. Some used ice trays, others linked directly to the car’s ventilation. They were clever but heavy, and once efficiency became a priority, the built in cooler quietly faded away. Still, they made road trips surprisingly civilized for the era.
Headlight Wipers for Tiny Headlamps
European cars in the 70s and 80s often came with miniature wipers on the headlights. These tiny blades scraped mud, salt and snow from glass lens covers. They looked strange but genuinely helped drivers in harsh climates. As modern headlights shifted to sleeker plastic housings and higher beam power, the tiny wipers lost their purpose. They remain a quirky relic of thoughtful engineering.
In Car Vacuum Cleaners for Quick Clean Ups
Some minivans and luxury sedans offered built in vacuums long before the recent trend. The odd part was how weak these early vacuums were. They looked like brilliant ideas on paper but struggled to pick up anything heavier than dust. Drivers loved the idea, but the execution made it feel more comic than convenient.
Liquid Crystal Gauges That Looked Like Toys
Digital gauges of the 80s were a wild experiment. Instead of traditional needles, some cars used liquid crystal displays that glowed bright green or orange. They felt futuristic at the time, but visibility was poor, especially in sunlight, and the displays aged badly. Many owners watched their gauges fade or flicker over time. Still, they became icons of the decade’s obsession with technology.
Dictation Machines for On the Go Memos
Luxury cars once offered in cabin recorders so drivers could dictate notes while cruising. It was marketed to business owners who needed to capture thoughts or reminders without pulling over. The system worked, but it added bulk to the cabin and looked more like office equipment than a car accessory. Once mobile phones appeared, the dictation machine vanished instantly.
Rain Sensors That Operated the Convertible Roof
Some convertibles in the 80s and 90s experimented with automatic roof closing systems triggered by moisture. If it started raining, the top would rise and lock itself without the driver touching a button. It sounded brilliant until owners discovered the roof sometimes deployed at the wrong time or refused to close when soaked leaves covered the sensor. The feature never caught on widely, but it showed how early automakers tried to add smart tech long before the term existed.
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
Car loans are one of the most common ways people fund car purchases. Like any other kind of loan, car loans can have certain features that can be regarded as an advantage or a disadvantage to the borrower. Understanding all essential facts about car loans and how they work to ensure that you get the best deal for your financial situation is essential. Here are 25 shocking facts about car loans that most drivers don’t realize:
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
