my65riv Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 what is the oddest feature or option on a car you've seen?this can be dealer installed as well.Jeff MealerMt. Juliet,TN1965 Buick Riviera1965 Pontiac Bonneville1960 Cadillac Coupe DeVille Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Braverman Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 I saw a '57 Chevy that had an electric shaver complete with a vanity mirror on the driver's side.My dad's 1910 Sears has a whip socket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 Late 50s Mercury/Lincoln "Seat-O-Matic" ranks way up there too. Early attempt at memory power seats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Leonard Shepherd Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 In 1958 Studebaker offered a gasoline fired heater for quick warm ups in cold weather. It was called Minit-Heat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 Wasn't there a Chrysler product with a record player in the dashboard? I guess that would really put those torsion tube suspensions to the test, eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave@Moon Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 1. The bud vase on any new or old VW bug.2. The purse hook mounted to the dash board of early 1960's Buicks.3. <span style="text-decoration: underline">Anything</span> that came with a 1956 Dodge LaFemme, especially the umbrellas.4. The hard plastic seats in the bed of my Subaru Brat.5. That stupid vacuum operated "fuel economy indicator light" which lit the left turn signal indicator when you stepped on the gas too hard in the 1975 Dodge Dart I had Drivers' Ed class in.6. The side windows of a Subaru SVX. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olympic Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 How about the cigarette dispensing steering wheel that was on my 1942 DeSoto? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ex98thdrill Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 How about any of the fist full of options on Ron Green's Pontiac. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mika Jaakkola Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 I think 20's Lincolns had rifle stands? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkV Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 The Fluid Drive, it almost 'drives itself' and the explination in the literature!The 1930 something Studebaker ads which stated that the cars were powered by robots! And it had robots on the ad literature!The Rumble Seat, Who would want to sit there?!!!The 8 Track player (it takes half the car to store them!)The Miles to Empty Gauge on my Mark V which only works once in a blue moon!The Pickup truck conversion for 1940's Buisness coupesThe Spotlight-where do you use these things in a town? How are these practical!Anything with the words- O-Matic attached! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrpushbutton Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 spotlights were more useful years ago when the city only had streetlights in the commercial districts and it got dark quickly after you left that area. The immediate post-war cars had a lot of silly options screwed on to them, 'cause the car was sold the moment it arrived at the dealership, it might as well go out the door all dressed up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest carmagreviews Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 In Japan a Built in Microwave is not uncommon in many modern cars due the time drivers spend in traffic jams on the way to book - it would be agreat to warm up the coffee!Cheers Julian from NZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Leonard Shepherd Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 How about an add on "Continental Spare" for Studebakers, or a "CELEBRATION KIT" when you bought a Lark! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 A lot of early Cars had "cut out" valves factory installed on the exhaust of cars. Out in the country side you could open it up for more "noise and power." Close it in town for a quiet ride. Dave! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hinckley Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 I worked at a VW dealership as a kid. One of the oddest things ever seen was an older Mercedes, left hand drive, with a four speed on the column - on the left side of the wheel! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Wolf Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 "Wasn't there a Chrysler product with a record player in the dashboard? "We had one in a 60 Dodge Pioneer It was small took the place of the glove box.It only played 45 rpm singles.It was like a close and play.You opened the glove box put the record inthen close the box and it played.But when you opened up both AFB that were located on the ends of the long ram intake you could hear it anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Wolf Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 My 1916 Elgin had a "Country Peddle" for quote"Spirited motoring in the country". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Green Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 Some of the unusual ones not counting the typical tissue dispenser, continental tire kit, power windows, etc:Dashboard compass, Remington auto/home shaver which operates off the 12 volt cigarette lighter or on 110 volt house current, Thermaster bottle which keeps liquids hot or cold for 8 hours, Thermaster refrigerator (ice chest), ladies purse holder, magnatray, autronic eye for automatically dimming the headlights, rear window defroster, Pontiac curb feelers, Indian-head hood ornament that lights up at night, under-hood light that rolls out to provide a light for changing a tire at night, etc. All documented factory items. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldsDoug Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 Nobody mentioned the vacuum ashtrays that were optional on late '50s - early '60s Chevrolets! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35gene Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 What about the vacuum fan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Skyking Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 The clock in the steering wheel center on the 57 DeSotosSwivel seats in 59 PlymouthsTelescopic steering wheelsSpeedometers with mirrors to reverse the numbers in 60's BuicksHidden gas fillers in 56 - 57 Chevrolets 57 - 58 Olds I think 58 - 59 PontiacPush Button drive in center steering wheel 58 EdselAsh tray in 57 - 58 Dodge that flipped around50's Buicks with gas pedel startersRear windshield in mid-50's Mercury that went downReclining seats in all Nash cars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Saxton Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 Lancia Aurelia of the 50's had 4 speed column shift to. even though it is part of a transaxle unit mounted to the body structure, (includes clutch and rear brakes also. Nardi did make floor shift conversions, but the original floor shift is so good that there is little advantage in it. My 1953 B22 4 door pillarless saloon has it's column shift, and it is a delight. Lancia engineering was impecable. There was once a 12 cyl Enger at Bendigo. I saw the engine in the 1960's. It was an OHV of about 3 litres, and they had a lever on the steering column whereby you could decompress and shut down one bank if you did not need the extra power. The makers claimed 35mpg running as a six.Ivan Saxton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Wolf Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 Now for old, I had an alcohol hand warmer on my 1916 Elgin.it mounted in the steering column. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest brh Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 What caught my attention was when converts were out of production and Cadillac came up with the convertable top look for a vinyl top. Could never figure out why looking like a convert would be popular--it wasn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 70 Electra Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: myrivnot4sale</div><div class="ubbcode-body">what is the oddest feature or option on a car you've seen?</div></div>Surprised that nobody mentioned the Mirro-Magic instrument panel on the 1960-1 Buicks. The "instruments" that you viewed were actually a reflected image in a mirror...the REAL instruments faced forward and had backwards graphics. The viewing mirror was adjustable to accomodate drivers of different sizes. A great gimmick from the era when GM was not afraid to be different! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Skyking Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 Greg, I mentioned that above..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olympic Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 My 1954 Citroen has a device that locks the gear shift lever in reverse. It was made by Robri and is called "Block Vitesse". Think of it as a French version of The Club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Bollman Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 I thought you wanted odd. The Crosley FarmOroad had the following list of options available and a few more.Snow PlowPost Hole DiggerFront Mount Chopper MowerSkis for winter use on front wheelsDisk HarrowHay RakeGang Reel MowerCultivatorDirt PlowSickle MowerFront and Rear Power Take OffDump Box (Hydraulic)Pickup BoxDual WheelsSpring LocksHydraulic Draw-Bar RearChain Drive Draw-Bar FrontPictures of some of these from a few years ago at the Crosley Nationals. http://crosleyautoclub.com/04Nationals/Saturday/index.htmlThe fellow that owns the collection in the URL has managed to rig it so he can drive on the show with all the accessories even though most are not intend to use when the others are attached. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shop Rat Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 Propellers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vwnut Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 how about a tv the driver can watch? scary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest South_paw Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 My vote is for the Cadillac A/C set up from 54 to 56 complete with clear tubes and roof vents Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vwnut Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 Heres A good one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hinckley Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 When I was a kid my paycheck came from cleaning cars at a VW dealership. One of the trade ins was an older Mercedes, left hand steering with a four speed shift on the left side of the steering column! I never got the hang of driving that thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 Altimeter on all Duesenberg J models. Because it is very, very important to know how far above sea level you are at all times... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herbpcpa Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 I once saw an after market device for removing cigarette smoke from any cigarette resting in the ash tray. Where the smoke went was into the engine via a vacumn hole connected to the manifold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herbpcpa Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 The above should read "vacumn hose" not "vacumn hole". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Saxton Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 Several years ago I bought a Japanese Toyota Surf halfcut, to put the turbo diesel engine in my earlier ute. There was an idiot cluster of instruments on the top centre of the dash. There were incline indicaters to show the honourable oriental driver whether he was likely to overtur along or across his axis: Presumably the altimeter was to show how far he was going to roll. The elderly gentleman I bought the Roamer-Duesenberg from in the 60's showed me an altimeter from an Alfonso Hispano Suiza. Stuart Middlehurst was able to aquire it for his. So maybe they were considered useful in the Pyrennes before WW1Ivan Saxton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhigdog Posted December 23, 2007 Share Posted December 23, 2007 early Toyota 4Runners had the same upper console with an inclinometer and altimeter. Since I used mine often to climb rough trails to mountain tops to hang glide I found it useful.......Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dynaflash8 Posted December 23, 2007 Share Posted December 23, 2007 The swinging lantern tailight on a 1938 Studebaker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amphicar BUYER Posted December 23, 2007 Share Posted December 23, 2007 Of course, My Amphicar has 2 propellers, bilge pump, a separate hand and foot operated throttles, a paddle, 2 transmissions and a AM/FM/Shortwave/Marine band in-dash radio. An Amphibious camper was available too...My '59 Skyliner has a hard top that fold into the trunk..It also has an under-dash record player...(Picture will be added later)An after market device was available to hand you a lit cigarette from the unit mounted to the steering column. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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