For this generation, puzzling designs and features of yesteryears’ cars are a thing of the past. Now, step back into the past as we examine 13 features of cars from the 1960s that will leave modern kids confused.
Table of Contents
- 1 1. Floor-Mounted High Beam Switch
- 2 2. Vent Windows
- 3 3. Manual Choke
- 4 4. Push-Button AM Radio
- 5 5. Floor-Mounted Starter Button
- 6 6. Hand Crank Windows
- 7 7. Non-Retractable Seat Belts
- 8 8. Metal Dashboards
- 9 9. Pull-Out Cigarette Lighter
- 10 10. Three-on-the-Tree Shifter
- 11 11. Front Bench Seats
- 12 12. Pop-Out Windshield
- 13 13. Manual Side Mirrors
1. Floor-Mounted High Beam Switch
Modern steering columns had not been invented yet. This meant the driver had to use a footswitch to alter the position of the front car headlights, either putting them on high or low beams. Using your foot to switch headlights on or off is like a driving dance step you had to master.
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2. Vent Windows
Those small triangular windows at the front of each car door were the first type of air conditioning. These windows could be adjusted to control the flow of incoming air, and because of this, you could get a refreshing breeze while driving.
3. Manual Choke
To start a cold engine, you had to pull out the choke knob, which was used to set the fuel mix. If you forgot to push the knob back in, you would be running rich, which is a term used to refer to when fuel is unburnt.
4. Push-Button AM Radio
Car radios were simple, and they only allowed you to listen to the AM band. You had five pre-set buttons that you had to set and tune by hand. If you did not do this, you would hear nothing but radio static.
5. Floor-Mounted Starter Button
Pull-starts were common. You would turn the ignition key and then push the starter button on the floor with your foot. If you were lucky, the engine would catch.
6. Hand Crank Windows
This meant cars had not yet been equipped with powered windows; window cranks were a common feature.
7. Non-Retractable Seat Belts
If cars had seat belts, they were simply lap belts. These belts were easy to adjust, which often resulted in tangles.
8. Metal Dashboards
Before safety regulations were enforced, car dashboards were painted metal and chrome-plated pieces. Although they were very beautiful and aesthetically pleasing, they were dangerous in car crashes.
9. Pull-Out Cigarette Lighter
Every armrest housed a matching ashtray and a glowing coil lighter that was standard equipment.
10. Three-on-the-Tree Shifter
The column-mounted manual transmission shifter had an odd shift pattern that required a specific technique to master.
11. Front Bench Seats
A large seat accommodating three people was ideal for drive in movies and family trips.
12. Pop-Out Windshield
Some vehicles had early crash safety features that today seem primitive, such as pop out windshields.
13. Manual Side Mirrors
If you wanted to adjust your side mirrors, you had to roll down the window and do it by hand because there were no power controls.
