However polluting or unreliable they were, there are some things about older generations of cars that were just better. Now the whole automotive industry is rapidly advancing towards a new era characterised by driverless cars, cloud-connected motoring, and smart functionalities. This significant technological transformation is making many of the beloved car features of yesteryears increasingly obsolete. As new innovations take centre stage, long-time car enthusiasts may feel nostalgia for the iconic features of decades gone by. We take a look at 10 such features that are on the verge of becoming entries in the automotive history books.
Manual Windows
Once common, manual windows required actual muscle strength to roll up and down. The concept of power windows was introduced much earlier than many realise, debuting with the Packard 180 in 1941, utilising a hydro-electric system originally designed for military purposes. By the 1970s, power windows became widespread, but a few modern vehicles, such as the Jeep Wrangler in the US and the Dacia Sandero in the UK, still offer manual windows as standard in their base trims.
Analogue Driver Dials
Analogue driver dials, with their black plastic background, white numbers, and orange needles, were once the standard. Today, digital screens have largely replaced these, offering dynamic displays that can show a variety of data, from speed to media controls. While analogue dials required a little mental maths via old school odometers to calculate trip distances, modern digital clusters often provide a more streamlined and customisable experience.
Fresh Air Vents
Before air conditioning became ubiquitous, older vehicles like Land Rovers and Citroën 2CVs employed simple vents for temperature control. Opening these vents would allow cool air in, whereas closing them would help retain heat. Today’s sophisticated climate control systems have entirely supplanted these rudimentary solutions.
A 1984 TVR with pop-up headlights.
Colour-Pop Interiors
Modern vehicles favour minimalist interiors in neutral colours like black, grey, white, and beige. Contrastingly, the 1980s and 1990s were a time of vibrant and colourful car interiors. Models like the Renault 5 and Mercedes 560 SEC featured bold hues and diverse materials, ranging from patterned cloth seats to velour, creating a more personalised and vibrant driving environment.
Pop-Up Headlights
Pop-up headlights were iconic symbols of 1980s and 1990s sports cars, seen in beloved models such as the Porsche 944 and Lamborghini Countach. Although modern safety regulations have rendered them obsolete, they remain a nostalgic feature celebrated by car enthusiasts and classic car owners.
Car Phones
Before the advent of mobile phones and integrated infotainment systems like Apple CarPlay, luxury cars in the latter part of the 20th century often came equipped with car phones. Introduced by Motorola in 1956 and brought to the UK by 1959, these early car phones hinted at the future of in-car connectivity but had significant limitations, such as only being able to handle a few calls at once.
A classic Motorola 1980s car phone.
Manual Handbrakes
The manual handbrake, a staple of driving instruction and a test of upper body strength, has largely been replaced by electronic parking brakes activated at the touch of a button. While manual handbrakes required a good pull to ensure the car didn’t roll away, modern systems offer a more straightforward and secure parking solution.
Radio Station Presets
In-car entertainment systems have drastically evolved, with digital radios and built-in streaming services now standard. However, not long ago, drivers manually tuned their radios and set up presets for their favourite stations. This often involved tuning through static and dealing with poor reception, a far cry from today’s seamless digital experiences.
Switches and Physical Buttons
While touchscreen interfaces have become predominant in car interiors, there’s a resurgence of physical buttons in the latest models. Brands like MG and Dacia are incorporating more buttons in response to popular demand and safety concerns, making vehicle controls more intuitive and less distracting compared to touchscreens.
Cigarette Lighters
Cigarette lighters were once a ubiquitous feature in cars, morphing into 12V sockets for modern electronic devices. The mid-1990s saw car manufacturers gradually eliminate ashtrays and dedicated cigarette lighters, transforming these slots into convenient power outlets for charging gadgets while driving.
As we drive into a digital future, these classic features will soon be mere memories. While technology brings undeniable improvements and conveniences, many will look back fondly on the days when rolling down a window required elbow grease and changing radio stations tested one’s patience.
Which ones will you miss most?
