[Tom Laferriere]

I just bought a set of vintage golf clubs for my 1934 Packard simply because it has a golf bag door. When you open a golf bag door, there should be golf clubs, right?. My car also has the trunk with the luggage in it as well.

My question is what other type of accessories would one find in a 1930's Automobile?

Thanks so much.

[Larry Schramm]

Tool kits were a big thing

[Skyking]

A vase was also popular in a closed car.........

[Paul Christ]

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Greta Garbo
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[1930]

Mine has a vanity case and an ashtray, vanity case has mirror and comb, pull assit cords could also be had as well as robe rail, footrest, sometimes courtesy lights, cigarette lighters, list goes on

[Mark Huston]

Automotive accessories were as popular back in the 30s, and earlier, as they are today. I have a 1929 Western Auto Catalog that is full of all kinds of items that could have been purchased to make a car more unique, fancy, or convince features. You might want to check with some of the larger literature dealers for a copy of a 1934 Western Auto Catalog to find out what the owner of your car could have purchased to make their car a little more unique when it was new.

[1930]

I assumed he meant factory accessories, sorry for the confusion

[Dave Fields]

Some of the more interesting accessories deal with smoking. I have see cigarette dispensers and even a pipe holder. Cup holders weren't invented yet. License toppers were used. I saw an all original DeSoto Airflow with the dealer's name painted on the spare tire cover. I am not sure if it is from the 30's - more likely late 40's early 50's, but I have a 6 volt DC to 120 v AC converter. It is in a small suitcase. I have seen a portable hand crank record player in a suitcase. It used a paper cone for the speaker.

[Rusty_OToole]

One thing I have found in a couple of 30s cars that I have never seen mentioned, is a rubber cover for the gearshift knob. It was shaped like a gearshift knob but bigger, with a raised design or pattern on it. Made of soft rubber about 1/32" thick. It stretched over the knob like a rubber boot.

Apparently it was made for a floor shift car to reduce the vibration in the knob. The cars I found them in were a 1937 Plymouth and another car of about the same year.

Every car dealer used to have a showcase full of accessories and every car company published a catalog.


The biggest sellers among dealer installed accessories were seat covers, heaters, radios and cigar lighters.

Up until the mid 50s dealer installed accessories were big business but after that, they fell out of favor because most of the new accessories had to be installed at the factory and ordered with the car.

I am talking about automatic trans, power steering, power seats etc.


By the mid 50s seat covers were not longer best sellers (who needs them when you have nylon upholstery) and heaters had to be built in at the factory.

Radios and other accessories were more and more factory options or part of options packages.

The last dealers I remember with glass front accessory display cases in the showroom were VW in the beetle era.

[alsancle]

Almost all the high end Mercedes Benz and some of their mid-range cars (which still cost 4k or more in the U.S.A) came with fitted luggage.

[Dave Mellor NJ]

I have an original pair of size#9 travelling slippers in a pouch with Packard script on the pouch.I assume it was an accessory like the vanity case or fitted luggage.

[Tom Laferriere]

Great comments, thanks for sharing. Items of interest for me are things one might find in a 1934 Vehicle, not necessarily factory options. I am on the hunt for old tire chains so I can actually drive this car in the snow. I find it fun outfitting this car!

[TG57Roadmaster]

Little motorized fans that affixed to the windshield header were popular items.

TG

[tigersdad]

Tom,

The one thing no one has mentioned was the option between wood (standard) and wire wheels. Also, the hood ornament. The side vents being nickel or just painted steel. Sidemount tires. I'm going off of what where offered on my 1931 Cadillac Town Car. It has all the factory options.....wire wheels..... $20 extra for the hood ornament. $5 extra for the nickel plated side vents. $240 for the sidemount spare tires. Side mount mirrors. Cigarette lighters, ashtray and a cigarette holder with filterless old cigarettes still inside.

Jay

[bkazmer]

the robe rail was mentioned, but some cars had factory "robes" (blankets) for them. Radio was a new fangled option

[Tom Laferriere]

This is great info. Because eBay is a wonderful thing, I just bought 1934 Maps of my area, some 1934 Paper money and coins, a whiskey bottle from 1934, 30's era Golf clubs and bag, many 1934 original ads that can be thrown about the car, tire chains and tools, etc.

Now I need some clothing of the era...any suggestions?

[Shop Rat]

Originally Posted by DUCKfur

..... For pedestrian safety reasons, we no longer allow HOOD ORNAMENTS on cars. .....

Where do you live that no longer allows hood ornaments? I know that here in the US they started making some that were spring loaded and would bend over if something came in contact with them. I think it also made them harder to just snap off by teenagers that were stealing them to make necklaces out of them.

[tigersdad]

Tom,

Go to the SuperYellow Pages online, put in what you're looking for (vintage clothing) and location (Smithfield, RI) and stores will pop-up. Looks like there's one in Greenville. Also, put in Providence and something should pop-up. Good luck!

Jay

[Shop Rat]

Originally Posted by tigersdad

Tom,

Go to the SuperYellow Pages online, put in what you're looking for (vintage clothing) and location (Smithfield, RI) and stores will pop-up. Looks like there's one in Greenville. Also, put in Providence and something should pop-up. Good luck!

Jay

We also have a forum here for Vintage Clothing items for sale by individuals and links on where to find new or orginal clothes and fashion accessories.

[Tom Laferriere]

Originally Posted by Dave Mellor NJ

I have an original pair of size#9 travelling slippers in a pouch with Packard script on the pouch.I assume it was an accessory like the vanity case or fitted luggage.

Can I wrestle them from you?

[Steve_Mack_CT]

Tom, some other possibilities

Ladies hatbox of the era
Vintage luggage
Political buttons, fliers or even tag toppers from the era political or not
Era Magazines
Your buddy Steve taking car for a spin (OK, vintage but not quite that vintage..)

[huptoy]

Some of the factory options for my 1931 Hupmobile included fender spare tires, trunk, passenger windshield wiper, & passenger taillight. Additionally the car came with wood wheels but wire wheels were $10 and steel wheels were $40.

Some after market items included Trippie head lights, wire rack to hold hat to headliner, oil filter, backup lights, tool kit, curb feelers, clock in rear view mirror, & Trico (vacuum) fan.

[Dandy Dave]

Originally Posted by Tom Laferriere

This is great info. Because eBay is a wonderful thing, I just bought 1934 Maps of my area, some 1934 Paper money and coins, a whiskey bottle from 1934, 30's era Golf clubs and bag, many 1934 original ads that can be thrown about the car, tire chains and tools, etc.

Now I need some clothing of the era...any suggestions?

Look in a 1933-34 Sears or Wards cataloge for the styles of the era. What is old, is sometimes new. Also look in the Auto accessories sections. Dandy Dave!

[Tom Laferriere]

Originally Posted by Steve_Mack_CT

Tom, some other possibilities

Your buddy Steve taking car for a spin (OK, vintage but not quite that vintage..)

I have extended the offer several times, so get down down here before someone arm wrestles me for it!

[Steve_Mack_CT]

Yes, Tom, you certainly have! Admittedly my fault - February has been really hectic. Will be up there in March to view Packards and lunch at the world famouse Newport Creamery Smithfield (unless you have a better suggestion - remember, I said I'm buying!).

Would be really cool to find an old tag topper with either a beach club or country club logo/ID number on it. Perfect for a Packard. I passed on one a couple years ago and wish I bought it...