The auto world is ruthless – only the fittest survive. We’ve rounded up 20 bygone car innovations that once wowed us but couldn’t go the distance. From safety flops to design disasters, these features crashed and burned on the highway of progress. Some were ahead of their time, others just plain ridiculous. Buckle up for a nostalgic ride through automotive evolution’s greatest misses. Which ones do you miss, and which are you glad to see in the rearview mirror?
20. Bench Seats
Bench seats were once a common feature in many older vehicles, especially those from the 1960s and earlier. They offered a continuous seating arrangement in the front of the car, allowing for a more communal experience. This design often accommodated three passengers in the front, although the middle spot was not always the most comfortable.
As automotive design progressed, bench seats were phased out in favor of bucket seats, which provided superior comfort and safety features. Today, bench seats evoke a sense of nostalgia and are primarily found in classic and vintage cars, reminding us of a time when cars were designed for togetherness.
19. Vent Windows
Vent windows, often referred to as wing windows, were small triangular windows situated at the front of a car’s side windows. They were common before the widespread adoption of air conditioning, allowing drivers and passengers to direct a breeze into the vehicle for ventilation. However, as air conditioning systems became more efficient, the need for vent windows diminished.
Over time, these windows were phased out in favor of cleaner door lines and improved aerodynamics. Today, vent windows are a rare sight, but they remain a nostalgic reminder of simpler times when fresh air was just a pivot away.
18. Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighters
Ashtrays and cigarette lighters were once standard features in many vehicles, reflecting the popularity of smoking during the 20th century. As public awareness of the health risks associated with smoking grew, these features began to fade in prominence. Many jurisdictions implemented laws prohibiting smoking in cars, especially when children were present.
While built-in ashtrays have largely disappeared from modern vehicle designs, the cigarette lighter socket has been repurposed. Today, it primarily serves as a power source for charging electronic devices, showcasing how automotive design evolves with societal changes.
17. In-Car Record Players
The idea of integrating record players into cars emerged during the 1950s and 1960s, a time when vinyl records were the dominant medium for music. Luxury vehicles aimed to offer the ultimate in-car entertainment experience by featuring these built-in players. However, the concept proved impractical as bumpy roads often caused the needle to skip, disrupting the listening experience.
As cassette tapes and CDs became popular, the in-car record player quickly became obsolete. This innovation serves as a reminder of how quickly technology can evolve, leaving behind once-beloved features in the dust.
16. Landau Bars
Landau bars were decorative, nonfunctional features that were once popular additions to the exterior of automobiles, particularly luxury models. Inspired by the Landau carriage, these bars were typically made of chrome and gave the appearance of a convertible top, even if the car wasn’t a convertible.
Over the years, consumer preferences shifted, and the ornate nature of Landau bars began to be seen as outdated. Today, they are rarely found on modern vehicles, but they remain a nostalgic reminder of mid-20th-century automotive design trends.
15. Column Mounted Shifters
The column-mounted shifter, commonly referred to as the column shifter or “three on the tree,” was a standard feature in many older vehicles. This design allowed drivers to change gears without reaching down to the center of the car, making it particularly popular in North America from the 1930s to the 1980s.
As car interiors became more refined and ergonomic, the column shifter was largely replaced by floor shifters, which many found to be more intuitive. While some trucks and utility vehicles still offer this feature, it has become a rarity in most passenger cars, marking a significant shift in automotive design.
14. Luggage Racks
Luggage racks on trunks were notable features on many cars, especially during the 1970s and 80s. Positioned on the back of a vehicle, they provided an external storage solution for travelers. However, as car designs evolved and interior storage solutions improved, these external racks became less necessary.
Concerns about the security of items left on external racks, as well as the aesthetic appeal of sleeker car designs, contributed to their decline in popularity. Today, luggage racks are a nostalgic reminder of road trips and adventures of the past.
13. Floor Dimmer Switch
The floor dimmer switch was a revolutionary feature introduced in 1927, allowing drivers to control their headlights without taking their hands off the steering wheel. This switch was conveniently located on the floor, making it easy to switch between low and high beams. The spacious floorboard area of cars at the time accommodated these larger, more durable switches, enhancing driver safety and convenience.
However, by the 1970s, American car designers began to adopt European trends, moving the dimmer switch to the steering column. The last vehicles to feature a foot-operated dimmer switch were the 1991 Ford F-Series and E-Series vans, marking the end of an era for this once-popular feature.
12. Vinyl Roofs
Vinyl rooftops made their debut in the 1920s, initially designed to protect passengers from the elements. Mimicking the look of horse-drawn carriages, these roofs became a stylish addition to cars in the 1950s, giving regular vehicles a convertible-like appearance. The trend peaked in the 1960s and 1970s, especially in America, where various styles and colors were available, including unique designs like the bamboo look of the 1953 Kaiser Dragon.
Today, vinyl roofs are primarily seen on hearses and limousines, where they serve a practical purpose by covering seams created when cars are stretched to make them longer. While they may not be as common as they once were, vinyl roofs remain a nostalgic symbol of a bygone era.
11. Eight-Track Tapes
The eight-track tape, also known as stereo 8, was a popular audio format from the mid-1960s to the early 1980s, especially in cars. Developed in 1964, this format allowed for continuous playback without needing to eject and flip the tape, making it ideal for long drives. With a playtime of about 80 minutes, the eight-track tape quickly became a staple in American and Canadian households.
Despite its decline in popularity, some bands still release music on eight-track tapes as a novelty for collectors, keeping this vintage technology alive. The eight-track tape serves as a reminder of the unique ways we once enjoyed music on the road.
10. Automatic Seat Belts
Automatic seat belts were introduced to enhance car safety, as many drivers neglected to use traditional seat belts. The first car equipped with automatic belts was the 1975 Volkswagen Golf. By 1977, the U.S. government mandated that all new cars should have airbags or automatic seat belts by 1983, prompting manufacturers to adopt this feature.
However, many consumers found automatic seat belts cumbersome and incompatible with child safety seats. By 1981, the government reversed its stance, and automatic belts were no longer a requirement. Interestingly, cars equipped with automatic seat belts had significantly lower death rates in crashes compared to those with regular seat belts, highlighting the potential benefits of this innovation.
9. Tail Fins
Tail fins became a defining design feature in the 1950s and 1960s, symbolizing speed and modernity. Inspired by the twin rudders of a P-38 airplane, tail fins first appeared on the 1948 Cadillac and grew larger over time, particularly in models like the 1959 Cadillac El Dorado. Designers believed these fins gave cars a futuristic look, echoing the excitement of the Space Race era.
However, by the mid-1960s, public interest in tail fins waned, leading manufacturers to phase them out. While some modern cars have subtly reintroduced tail fins, the original exuberance of this design feature remains a nostalgic memory of a vibrant automotive past.
8. Push-Button Transmissions
During the 1950s and 60s, car manufacturers like Chrysler experimented with push-button transmissions. Although not a new concept, as it had been attempted in 1914, Chrysler’s system used a mechanical approach with a steel cable connecting the dashboard to the transmission. Other manufacturers, like Packard, also tried push-button systems, but by 1965, Chrysler discontinued the feature due to its decline in popularity.
Today, the concept has made a comeback in modern cars, where push buttons are more feasible thanks to advancements in technology like fly-by-wire automatic transmissions. This evolution showcases how automotive design continues to adapt and innovate.
7. White Wall Tires
White wall tires were a popular feature from the early 1900s to the mid-1980s, characterized by a stripe or entire sidewall of white rubber. Initially introduced in 1914, these tires were made from white rubber, which improved traction but was less durable. As manufacturers began adding carbon black to enhance tire longevity, black tires with white sidewalls became the norm.
Ford introduced white wall tires as an option in 1934, costing $11.25 at the time, equivalent to about $246 today. While they have largely disappeared from modern vehicles, white wall tires remain a nostalgic symbol of classic car culture.
6. Curb Feelers
Curb feelers, also known as curb finders, were devices installed on cars to help drivers gauge their proximity to the curb. Typically made of springs or wires, these feelers would scrape against the curb when the car got too close, alerting the driver to avoid potential damage to the wheels or hubcaps. Particularly popular among cars with white wall tires, curb feelers were also used on buses to assist drivers in parking close enough for passengers to board and disembark easily.
While curb feelers have largely fallen out of favor, they represent a unique solution to a common driving challenge, showcasing the creativity of automotive design.
5. T-Tops
T-tops are a distinctive feature in some cars, characterized by a roof with two removable panels that create an open-air driving experience. Patented in 1951, the T-top design gained popularity with the 1968 Chevrolet Corvette, which was the first U.S.-built production car to feature this roof style. Made from materials like safety glass or acrylic, T-tops offered a blend of the convertible experience with added structural integrity.
While T-tops were popular in sports cars and other models from the late 1960s to the early 2000s, their prevalence has diminished in recent years. Nonetheless, they remain a beloved feature among car enthusiasts, symbolizing the freedom of open-air driving.
4. Woodie Cars
Woodie cars, or Woody wagons, were unique automobiles with bodies partly made of wood. Originating as utility vehicles, these cars became popular in the U.S. during the 1930s and 1940s, often resembling the older horse-drawn wagons used for hunting. However, by the 1950s, all-steel bodies replaced wood construction due to safety and durability concerns.
By 1953, car manufacturers had stopped using real wood, opting for materials like sheet vinyl to simulate wood grain. Despite their decline, woodie cars remain an iconic symbol of American automotive history, representing a time when creativity and craftsmanship were at the forefront of car design.
3. Car Phones
Before the widespread use of personal cell phones, car phones were a symbol of luxury and advanced technology in the 1980s and 90s. Installed directly into vehicles, these phones allowed drivers and passengers to make calls while on the move. However, with the rapid evolution of mobile phones, built-in car phones quickly became obsolete.
Modern vehicles have shifted towards integrating Bluetooth technology, allowing drivers to connect their personal cellphones for hands-free communication. As a result, the once-prestigious car phone is now a nostalgic relic of a bygone era in automotive tech.
2. Hood Ornaments
Hood ornaments were once a staple of automobile design, serving as decorative mascots and symbols of luxury. However, safety concerns arose as these protruding embellishments could pose a risk to pedestrians in the event of a collision. Consequently, many automakers phased them out or opted for retractable designs.
While hood ornaments may be viewed as relics of the past, they remain iconic, evoking nostalgia and representing a bygone era of the automotive industry. Their absence in modern designs highlights the balance between aesthetics and safety in today’s vehicles.
1. Pop-Up Headlights
Pop-up headlights, also known as retractable or flip-up headlights, were a distinctive feature found on many sports cars from the 1960s through the 1990s. This unique design allowed the headlights to remain concealed within the car’s hood or fenders when not in use, adding to the sleek and aerodynamic look of the vehicle.
However, as automotive design progressed, concerns related to aerodynamics, the complexity of mechanical systems, and stricter pedestrian safety regulations led to the decline of this feature in modern vehicles. While they are no longer common in new car designs, pop-up headlights remain a nostalgic and beloved feature for many auto enthusiasts, symbolizing a playful and innovative era in automotive history.
