The automobile is constantly evolving, and while some innovations catch on and continue to be used to this day, others are relegated to the bin of curiosities. Here at Alexander Automotive, our extensive collection of classic cars features both types of vehicles, some ahead of their time and others boasting features that modern drivers may deem unusual or antiquated. Here are some of the most distinctive features we’ve seen in classic cars.
Front Bench Seats
Before seat belts became mandatory according to the law, bench seats were standard in most family cars. While the middle seat wasn’t the most comfortable, the bench seat was typically wide enough to seat three.
Pop-Up Headlights
Pop-up headlights saw their heyday from the early 1970s to the 1990s. Part of their popularity was the U.S. government mandating that cars only have a certain height for headlights.
Car Phones
Before mobile phones were ubiquitous, car phones were a luxury. They were often stored underneath the front seats and used for emergencies.
Record Players
Before Bluetooth, CD players, and even cassette players, record players were sometimes found in vehicles. In 1956, Chrysler unveiled the $200 Highway Hi-Fi system, a factory-installed record player mounted underneath the car’s dashboard. If you think spinning a record while driving over bumpy roads sounds problematic, you would be correct, as the innovation fizzled out after a couple of years.
Wood-Grain Side Paneling
Styles come and go with time, but one that particularly baffles modern drivers is wood-grain trim. Wood became an alternative for the exterior to minimize the use of expensive steel, though it came with safety hazards and high maintenance costs.
Discover these unusual classic car features and more in our extensive inventory of classic cars here at Alexander Automotive. Our dealers invite you to schedule an appointment or view our online inventory.
