The 1960s were a remarkable time in automotive history. Manufacturers experimented freely, safety regulations were only beginning to tighten, and features that seemed perfectly normal then would feel bizarre to drivers today. If you handed the keys of a 1960s car to someone used to modern vehicles filled with screens, driver assists, and seamless technology, they would probably be left scratching their head more than once. Here are sixteen quirks of 1960s cars that would absolutely confuse today’s drivers.
Floor Mounted Dimmer Switches
Instead of flicking a stalk on the steering column, drivers in the 1960s controlled high beams with their left foot. A small metal switch was mounted on the floorboard, and tapping it would swap between low and high beams. At the time, this was considered convenient since it kept your hands on the wheel. Modern drivers, who instinctively pull a lever with their fingers, would be baffled the first time they needed more light and realized the switch was hiding under their left shoe. Collectors today often point out that the system worked fine once you got used to it, but it feels alien if you grew up after the 1980s.
Manual Chokes
Cold mornings in the 1960s required patience and a little skill. Engines didn’t have computer controlled fuel injection, so a driver had to pull a choke knob on the dashboard to adjust the fuel mixture for starting. Too much choke and the engine would sputter or flood; too little and it would stall. Owners got used to the ritual, but modern drivers used to pushing a button and hearing the engine fire instantly would likely get frustrated. Collectors often have to explain the choke process at shows, because younger enthusiasts rarely know why there is an extra knob on the dash.
Vent Windows
Small triangular panes of glass near the front of the side windows could be pivoted open to funnel air into the cabin. Known as wing vents, they were an early form of cabin ventilation long before air conditioning was standard. Drivers loved them for clearing cigarette smoke or cooling the cabin on warm days. Today’s sealed glass designs and powerful climate control systems make vent windows look like strange relics. To younger drivers, the idea of manually cracking open a tiny pane of glass for fresh air feels almost laughable, yet for many 60s owners it was a must use feature.
Dash Mounted Ignition Switches
Many cars in the 1960s had the ignition switch right on the dashboard rather than on the steering column. Some even placed it near the center console for stylistic reasons. Modern drivers are so used to inserting a key by the wheel, or pushing a start button, that reaching across the dash to start the engine feels awkward. Owners of 60s cars often enjoy pointing out this quirk, since it adds to the sense of theater when starting a vintage machine.
Lap Belts Only
Seat belts were a new concept in the early 1960s, and many cars didn’t have them at all. When they did, they were often just lap belts that strapped across the waist with no shoulder restraint. Today’s drivers, who are accustomed to three point belts, pretensioners, and airbags, would feel strangely exposed. In fact, it wasn’t until the late 60s that federal law required lap belts in all passenger cars. Collectors driving their 60s cars on modern highways sometimes retrofit shoulder belts for safety, though purists leave them original.
No Headrests
Take a seat in a 60s car and you’ll notice the backrests are clean and low, with no headrests jutting up. It gave the cabin an uncluttered look, but it also meant little protection from whiplash in rear end crashes. Modern drivers find it jarring to sit in a car without a headrest, since every modern vehicle has tall seats with padded supports. In classic shows, you’ll often hear younger people ask why the seats look “unfinished,” not realizing that was just how cars were built back then.
Hand Crank Windows
Power windows were rare luxuries in the 1960s. The standard option was a hand crank that had to be rotated several times to raise or lower the glass. For modern drivers spoiled by quick electric motors, the effort of spinning a handle just to get fresh air would seem primitive. Collectors laugh about this when demonstrating their cars, but it was simply normal until the 1980s, when power windows began to filter down into more affordable cars.
Floor Vents for Heat and Airflow
Instead of modern HVAC systems with precise temperature control, many cars had simple levers that opened vents directly to the outside. Air would rush in through ducts and into the footwells, offering a crude but effective kind of climate control. It worked fine on the highway but could be drafty at low speeds. Today’s drivers would wonder why they’re opening what feels like a trap door under their feet, but in the 1960s, this was how you cooled a car without A/C.
Cigarette Lighters and Ashtrays Everywhere
In the 1960s, smoking was a normal part of driving, so cars were fitted with cigarette lighters and ashtrays in every row of seats. Some luxury cars even had ashtrays in the rear doors for passengers. Today those spots have been replaced by USB ports and cupholders. Modern drivers, especially younger ones, would be puzzled why there were so many ashtrays in a car and why the “lighter” outlet wasn’t meant for charging a phone.
Push Button Transmissions
Chrysler experimented in the early 60s with push button automatic transmissions. Instead of a lever, you pressed buttons mounted on the dashboard to select drive, neutral, or reverse. It was futuristic for the time, but quickly faded out. Today, push button gear selectors have returned in some modern cars, but their 1960s versions look very strange and unintuitive to anyone expecting a column or console shifter.
Two Speed Wipers
Windshield wipers in the 1960s were basic at best. Most offered just two speeds—slow and slightly less slow. Intermittent wipers, which allow precise control during light rain, didn’t arrive until much later. Drivers had to choose between barely keeping the windshield clear or running wipers too fast for the conditions. Modern drivers would find the lack of choice incredibly frustrating during unpredictable weather.
Single Side Mirrors
Many 60s cars only came with a driver’s side mirror. The passenger side mirror was often an extra cost option, which seems unthinkable today. Modern drivers who rely on blind spot monitoring and wide angle glass would be shocked at the limited visibility. Driving a 60s car in heavy traffic without a passenger side mirror feels like an art form, one that today’s drivers might not be comfortable with.
Starter Buttons on the Floor
Some carryover models in the early 60s still had starter buttons on the floor. To start the car, you pressed the clutch with one foot and then stepped on the starter button with the other, while also working the accelerator. It was a process that required coordination, and modern drivers used to simply twisting a key or pressing a start button would find it needlessly complicated. Collectors today often demonstrate it as a party trick for curious enthusiasts.
Oil Bath Air Filters
Instead of today’s simple paper filters, many 1960s cars used oil bath air cleaners. These required owners to remove the filter, clean it, and refill it with oil, a messy job that was part of routine maintenance. Modern drivers, used to a quick and cheap filter swap, would find the process baffling. Collectors often debate whether to keep the original system or upgrade to paper filters for convenience.
High Compression Engines Requiring Premium Fuel
Many muscle cars of the 1960s ran high compression ratios, which required premium leaded fuel. Forgetting to use the right gas meant knocking and poor performance. Today, most cars are engineered to run on regular unleaded, with only performance models requiring premium. For modern drivers, the idea of a car being so picky about fuel would be surprising, especially when premium cost only a few cents more in the 60s but can be significantly more expensive now.
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