18 Classic Car Features That Have Completely Disappeared

While modern vehicles prioritize new technology, safety, and comfort features, a lot of personality and character has been lost when compared to vintage automobiles. The different types of vintage cars, along with their unique features, are adored by many, and the variety is fast disappearing in today’s cars. Let’s look back at history and remember what cars used to be like when they were full of personality and interesting features to give us the nostalgia we all miss.

1. Vent Windows

Before AC became standard in every car, all cars had air vents that opened directly to the road. The defroster vents, which used to sit at the bottom of the windshield, had a small, triangular window next to the vent. They were extremely useful and added to driver comfort.

2. Floor-Mounted High Beam Switch

High beams and low beams were changed by footsteps on the floor of a car. You could lift your left foot off the ground to hit a button on the floor of the left foot and simultaneously pull the steering wheel to push down the steering wheel to switch to high beams. It was very easy.

3. Wing Windows

The adjustable rear windows created safety and closed ventilation in the back seat and gave smokers a way to smoke in the car without letting smoke in the front.

4. Full-Size Spare Tires

Do you remember when your spare tire was a full-sized tire, not a temporary “donut” tire? You could drive on them as long as you needed to without any worries about safety because it perfectly matched your other tires. Trunk designs even included a well and cover to hold the spare tire.

5. Manual Choke

That knob you used to have on your dashboard was your direct controller to adjust the fuel mix and it was especially handy during cold temperatures. Using it well enough to successfully start the car was a skill and it was almost an achievement to master the manual choke because a good cold start was super satisfying.

6. Bench Seats

The front of the car had a bench seat which allowed three people to fit there and made any car a six-seater. The seats were close together and provided good sociable space for couples. While modern seats might offer more support, they lack the good vibes that come with an old bench seat.

7. Pop-Out Windshield

Windscreens were made to pop out during a collision which was a simple but effective safety feature. Instead of the glass shattering and staying put, the windscreens would pop out and the glass was way more innovative at the time than modern laminated glass.

8. Dash-Mounted Rear View Mirror

Before the rearview mirror got moved to the windscreen, they were located on the dashboard. The decorative chrome ones were adjustable and gave the dashboard an interior touch. Some of them even had built-in clocks or compasses to make them both decorative and functional.

9. Metal Dashboards

Previously, before the introduction of safety measures requiring padding in vehicles, dashboards would often have exquisite chrome-trimmed painted metal features. The metal paint would be coordinated with the color of the exterior of the vehicle, and have uniquely styled designs. While these designs may not have been the safest, it can be said they were moreso aesthetically pleasing than the modern day plastic alternatives.

10. Crank Windows

Window cranks provided no possibility to fail, no electrical parts to worry about, and you could control precisely how much to open the window, giving a distinct sound to each trip. Cranking the window also helped to exercise the arms during summer drives.

11. Vacuum-Powered Wipers

The charm of these powered engine windshield wipers was that they would slow down when the car speed increased and vice versa. While this system was not super practical, they also didn’t need electrical parts and were easy to fix. This system made rainy trips more adventurous.

12. Hood Ornaments

These chrome decorations served a big purpose instead of simply looking good. They helped drivers when it came to parking, with each manufacturer having different designs, from the Indian head from Pontiac to the three pointed stars of Mercedes. They gave a lot of personality to each car.

13. Vent Pull Knobs

The dials on the dashboard to open and close vents to let air circulate were easy to use, require no electricity, and actually last longer than many electrical systems. The simplicity of the design made them last a long time.

14. Running Boards

The extra step made it much easier to get in and out of the car, especially for ladies in skirts. It also provided a convenient area to knock off snow before entering the vehicle. It is very much needed to modern day SUVs.

15. Push-Button AM Radio

When you pressed down on the chunky preset buttons on the dashboard, they made a nice mechanical click, and you could feel a physical snap take place to set your favorite radio station presets. The dial provided a warm glow in the dark, and the sound of static that filled the car between radio stations is a sound that belongs to every road trip in history.

16. Ashtrays Everywhere

Their backseat and every door panel had an ashtray and an ashtray door. While car cigarette smoking is a thing of the past, these little drawers are great for hiding your parking meter change. The sound of a closing ashtray is a sound that every car has in it’s arsenal.

17. Quarter Panel Gas Caps

Whether it was a hinged license plate cover or a quarter panel, the hidden gas cap is one of the things that adds elegance to a car. No fuel door to disrupt the beautiful design of the car.

18. Real Chrome Bumpers

Big chrome bumpers were built for more than just looks. They were fully functional and could withstand impact. That means they could actually be used to bump things. For a lot of car owners, polishing the chrome bumpers to perfection was a point of pride.