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Things from out of the past


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<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How's about hanging chains from the rear bumper to drag on the ground - depending on who you talked to, they were to decrease the hazards of being struck by lightning, to improve radio reception - or to just plain irritate by making sparks - along with inviting the question "why do you have those chains dragging"? tongue.gif </div></div>

Actually, rubber straps hanging from under the car grounded it out, not chains. My father had plastic see-through seat covers put on his new 55 Buick Century. He had to mount the straps under the car so you wouldn't get static shocks from sliding on the seats.

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I could never understand "clear plastic seat covers". Mom insisted that the new 67 Rambler American have them on the seats. The original seat material was plastic. There was plastic covering plastic. God they were hot to set on during the summer.

When I owned the 58 Edsel Roundup 2dr wagon I found remnants of clear Plastic seat covers on it. The clear plastic had a small gold and silver star pattern printed on it.

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<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How's about hanging chains from the rear bumper to drag on the ground - depending on who you talked to, they were to decrease the hazards of being struck by lightning, to improve radio reception - or to just plain irritate by making sparks - along with inviting the question "why do you have those chains dragging"? tongue.gif </div></div>

Actually, rubber straps hanging from under the car grounded it out, not chains. My father had plastic see-through seat covers put on his new 55 Buick Century. He had to mount the straps under the car so you wouldn't get static shocks from sliding on the seats. </div></div>

Oh yes - who could forget them too?! - usually with red and green reflectors bolted onto the straps!

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Guest imported_mossiyjack

I have one of those window swamp coolers somewhere in my pile of 'stuff'!

How about water bags to hang from your front bumper for crossing SW deserts and

"Den of Death" signs, "Berma Shave" and roadside parks across Texas; 1940's forerunners to todays rest areas.

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Guest imported_jmarsicano

Cal Custom, anyone remember those cast alumium fins for everything from valve covers to water pumps to diff covers.

Anyone use an 8 ball for a shifter handle?

Joe

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Guest Randy Berger

Beer tap!! That's why we're so nostalgic about the 40's and 50's - we can remember everything. Now the youngsters in the sixties don't remember anything - maybe including yesterday. confused.gif

Shoulda stuck with beer. grin.gif

YFAM, Randy Berger

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Guest imported_jmarsicano

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Now the youngsters in the sixties don't remember anything - maybe including yesterday. </div></div>

Watch it there buddy! I try very hard to learn about our history! Just funnin' with ya. The 60's happened a decade before I was born.

Joe

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Right. Chains were hung from the back of gasoline and oil delivery trucks in the '30s, '40's and 50's. to dissipate static electricity through the sparks and supposedly prevent explosion. Might have been necessary and might not.

I never saw chains on a car, but did see lots of rubber/plastic ground strips on cars. I used them for the same reason, plastic seat covers. I don't remember if it did any good or not.

hvs

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I still occasionally use those flax water bags when touring an antique car in desert conditions.

Back in 1953 while driving west across the Utah salt flats between Salt Lake City and Wendover there was a large white sign with black lettering, about 2/3 of the way to Wendover. All it said was, "MONOTONOUS AIN'T IT."

Did anyone else ever see this sign?

hvs

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Re; "<span style="font-weight: bold">Anyone use an 8 ball for a shifter handle?</span>"

Yep, Still have that on my '32 Ford Coupe! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

How about the cigarette ash remover on '57 and such Chevy's that sucked the ashes out with a vacuum system? Wayne

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<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Re; "<span style="font-weight: bold">Anyone use an 8 ball for a shifter handle?</span>"

Yep, Still have that on my '32 Ford Coupe! laugh.gif

How about the cigarette ash remover on '57 and such Chevy's that sucked the ashes out with a vacuum system? Wayne </div></div>

Yes I remember them! They also sold little round ashtrays with suction cups on them to stick to the dash.

How about suicide knobs with girlie pictures in them.

Do you remember the little fans that would bolt to the dash....did they really work? confused.gif

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<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Re; "<span style="font-weight: bold">Anyone use an 8 ball for a shifter handle?</span>"

Yep, Still have that on my '32 Ford Coupe! laugh.gif

How about the cigarette ash remover on '57 and such Chevy's that sucked the ashes out with a vacuum system? Wayne </div></div>

I've seen some of those "Trico" vacume powered fans at the parts swap meets.

Yes I remember them! They also sold little round ashtrays with suction cups on them to stick to the dash.

How about suicide knobs with girlie pictures in them.

Do you remember the little fans that would bolt to the dash....did they really work? confused.gif </div></div>

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Guest Andynator

The comment about water bags reminded me of when my wife's grandfather was looking under the hood of my Buick - he pointed to the large open space behind the grill bars and said "Yep - that's where we used to put our beer!"

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Great posts... quite a few "reminders" in here. We called the steering wheel knobs, "death knobs". I can remember a car my brother had, a Dodge I think, that had a 8-track player on the consol that not only played tapes but could record too. An actual factory option! Hula girls in grass skirts sitting on the dash. Knock off wire wheels and 72 spokes at that! on my old Jag. REAL Chrome plating! I just found a set of 6 strap on winter chains in a buddy's basement, hanging from a rafter, while I was doing some telephone work the other day. They'll find their place with the other memorabelia I take to shows with my 29 Model A. Keep going they bring back some great memories.

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