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MotorTranscript
00:00All right, now let's see if we can find first.
00:05Today, we're revving up for a thrilling ride through history,
00:08exploring the quirky and ingenious car features that vanished with time.
00:12I'm just leaving the house. You can put the coffee on in 45 minutes.
00:15Imagine a journey where every turn unveils a piece of the past,
00:18each car a storybook of innovation and style.
00:20Ever heard of a steering wheel that swings away,
00:22or windows that brought in the breeze before air conditioning was king?
00:26We'll peek at these and more.
00:27You may think you hate it now, honey, but where do you drive it?
00:30Diving into a time when cars were a canvas of creativity and luxury.
00:34And wait till you see the elegant feature that turned from a symbol of luxury
00:37to a magnet of mischief.
00:39What could it be?
00:40This and other surprising tales await, but that's just the beginning.
00:43We've got a treasure trove of automotive secrets to uncover.
00:46The great one is here.
00:48So, fasten your seatbelts for a nostalgic journey into the heart of car history,
00:53where we will be showcasing 10 old car features which are now extinct.
00:57I just want my old car back, okay?
00:59First on our list is the swing-away steering wheel.
01:06The swing-away steering wheel first made its appearance in the 1960s,
01:10notably in models like the Ford Thunderbird.
01:12This inventive design allowed the steering wheel to move or swing to the side,
01:16facilitating easier entry and exit for the driver.
01:19This feature was a blend of practicality and luxury,
01:22showcasing an era when automotive design focused keenly on driver comfort and convenience.
01:27Although it didn't become a standard in later models,
01:29the swing-away steering wheel remains a captivating example of the creativity and ingenuity
01:34that characterized automotive engineering in its heyday.
01:38How does it feel the first time out in traffic, Mr. Moss?
01:41Mr. Moss?
01:43Mr. Moss?
01:44Second on our list is the traffic light viewer.
01:47Another intriguing, now-obsolete car feature is the traffic light viewer.
01:51Predominantly seen in the 1940s and 1950s,
01:53this small, prism-shaped accessory was mounted on dashboards
01:57to help drivers see overhead traffic lights,
01:59which were difficult to view from steeply raked windshields of that era.
02:03We're waiting for the stop sign to turn green.
02:06This simple yet ingenious device reflected the traffic light into the driver's line of sight,
02:10negating the need to lean forward awkwardly.
02:13A charming testament to the era's innovative solutions to everyday driving challenges,
02:17the traffic light viewer faded away as car designs and traffic light positions evolved.
02:21Third on our list is the manual window cranks.
02:26In an age dominated by electric windows,
02:28the manual window crank stands as a relic of a more hands-on era in car design.
02:33These cranks required physical effort to open and close car windows,
02:36a simple yet satisfying interaction between man and machine.
02:39This feature symbolized a time when drivers were more physically connected to their vehicles.
02:44The manual crank was not just a tool,
02:46it was a part of the driving experience,
02:48a tactile element that required engagement and effort.
02:51The disappearance of manual window cranks in modern vehicles
02:53marks a shift towards convenience and automation.
02:56But for many,
02:57the charm of rolling down a window by hand is a fondly remembered part of driving.
03:01Wind yourself and then just hit the button.
03:06It represents beauty, grace, and effortless speed.
03:10Fourth on our list is the hood ornament.
03:13Hood ornaments were the epitome of automotive elegance and an artistic signature of yesteryear's cars.
03:19These exquisite sculptures, adorning the prow of classic vehicles, were more than mere decorations.
03:24They were a symbol of sophistication and the artistic flair of the era.
03:28From the majestic flying lady of Rolls-Royce to the leaping panther of Jaguar cars,
03:33each ornament told a unique story reflecting the grandeur and pride of the automobile.
03:37But, as much as they were admired for their beauty,
03:40these ornaments also became the unlikely targets of pranks and theft.
03:43Yes, these nods to elegance and luxury weren't just eye-catching.
03:47They caught the eyes of pranksters and thieves.
03:49Many hood ornaments found themselves being unscrewed from their perches,
03:53turning these symbols of luxury into trophies for mischief and theft.
03:57It's a bittersweet chapter in our automotive history, where artistry met adversity.
04:02Move, Lois. You're on the hood ornaments pillow.
04:04Here are useful fresh air window vents that roll open and shut.
04:08Fifth on our list are vent windows.
04:10Vent windows, also known as wing windows,
04:12were a common feature in cars before the widespread adoption of air conditioning.
04:16These small triangular windows could be angled to direct a flow of air into the vehicle,
04:21providing natural ventilation and cooling.
04:23The practicality and simplicity of vent windows made them a beloved feature.
04:27They represented an era when car design was as much about function as it was about form.
04:32With the advent of advanced climate control systems in cars,
04:35vent windows have become obsolete.
04:37However, they remain a symbol of a bygone era of automotive design,
04:41where manual adjustments were part of the everyday driving experience.
04:45How are you doing, honey? Comfortable?
04:47Mmm, naturally.
04:50Number six on our list is bench seating.
04:53Bench seats, now a rare sight, were once the heart of a car's interior.
04:57They offered a shared space, a place for families and friends to sit together,
05:00chat, and enjoy the journey.
05:02The design of bench seats reflected a time when car rides were social experiences,
05:06opportunities for interaction, and bonding.
05:09These seats, with their simple yet elegant design,
05:11also spoke of the era's values, functionality, togetherness,
05:15and a less complicated approach to life.
05:17The bench seat wasn't just a piece of furniture.
05:19It was a place where countless memories were made,
05:21where stories were shared, and laughter echoed.
05:24Its disappearance in modern car design marks the end of an era
05:27where the journey itself was a cherished part of the experience.
05:31I can't believe you got me this car!
05:35Number seven on our list is pop-up headlights.
05:38Pop-up headlights were more than just automotive components.
05:41They were expressions of the era's bold and innovative spirit.
05:43These headlights would lie hidden during the day,
05:46giving cars like the Corvette and Firebird a smooth, aerodynamic facade.
05:51But as darkness fell, they would rise,
05:53bringing the car to life with a personality of its own.
05:56This feature was a marvel of engineering and design,
05:59a playful yet practical solution that captivated the imagination.
06:03It symbolized the excitement and optimism of the time,
06:06a period when technology and design seemed to hold limitless possibilities.
06:09The pop-up headlight was a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of automotive designers,
06:15who constantly pushed the boundaries to blend form and function in new and exciting ways.
06:20Hello, George, this is Mike.
06:22Say, they're having plenty of trouble out here with the engine on the grater.
06:25Eighth on our list is car phones.
06:27Before the era of smartphones and wireless communication,
06:30the car phone was a significant innovation.
06:32These devices, often bulky and prominently placed,
06:36were more than just a tool for communication.
06:37They were a statement.
06:39Owning a car phone meant you were at the forefront of technology,
06:43part of an exclusive group that could afford such luxury.
06:46It was a glimpse into the future,
06:47a time when staying connected would become a vital part of our daily lives.
06:51The car phone was a stepping stone in the evolution of communication technology,
06:55an early indicator of how mobile and accessible our world would become.
06:59Its presence in cars marked the beginning of a new era in connectivity,
07:03one where distance and movement no longer constrained communication.
07:07I think we'll go with a little Bohemian Rhapsody, gentlemen.
07:10Good call.
07:14Number nine on our list is the cassette player.
07:17The cassette player was a centerpiece of in-car entertainment.
07:20It was where music and mobility merged,
07:22creating a personalized soundtrack for every journey.
07:25The tactile experience of inserting a tape,
07:27the anticipation as the play button was pressed,
07:30and the sound of music filling the car are memories cherished by many.
07:34Cassette players allowed for a level of personalization in music choice
07:37that was unprecedented at the time.
07:39They weren't just playing music,
07:40they were creating experiences,
07:42setting the mood for road trips, commutes, and drives around town.
07:46The cassette player's role in car culture was significant.
07:48It made music an integral part of the driving experience,
07:52a companion on every journey.
07:54Man, seriously, it's...
07:56Great tobaccos make it a wonderful smoke.
07:59Try them, they satisfy.
08:01And last on our list is ashtrays and lighters.
08:03In a stark contrast to today's health-conscious world,
08:06ashtrays and lighters were once standard features in cars.
08:09These components are a reminder of a bygone era,
08:12a time when smoking was a common social practice.
08:14Their presence in nearly every vehicle
08:16speaks to the cultural norms of the past,
08:19reflecting a society vastly different from today.
08:21While now seen as relics,
08:22they were once integral parts of a car's interior,
08:25catering to the needs and habits of the time.
08:27The evolution from ashtrays and lighters
08:29to cup holders and USB ports
08:31is more than just a change in features.
08:33It's a reflection of how societal values and behaviors
08:36have shifted over the years.
08:38These features are a window into the past,
08:40offering insight into the lifestyle and social customs
08:43of earlier decades.
08:44These classic features continue to inspire
08:47and shape the future of car design,
08:49ensuring that the legacy of these timeless elements endures.
08:52Do you have any fond memories of these past relics?
08:55Were there any features that you remember
08:56that didn't make the list?
08:58If so, please leave them in the comments below.
09:00Thank you for joining us on this nostalgic ride,
09:03and until next time,
09:04keep cherishing the memories each journey brings.
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