Cars today are packed with gadgets. But honestly, some of the old stuff was just easier. And many older drivers still remember features that made driving feel better, since there were no touchscreens or apps back then. We spoke to a few older drivers. Here are fourteen car features they miss the most. Which ones would you like to bring back?
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Front bench seats
Older sedans didn’t have two buckets up front with a big console. Instead, they had one long cushion that stretched across, so you could slide right in from one side to the other. It made getting in & out much easier. It also helped a car seem more like a living room than a vehicle. Pretty nice, huh?
Column shifters with PRNDL
The gear lever used to be on the steering column. As such, you had so much more space, and you didn’t need to guess where the gear was either. You could see it marked clearly right behind the wheel. Parking & reversing felt a lot easier this way. So did doing quick three-point turns.
Big, high-contrast gauges
Dashboards weren’t trying to be computers, which meant that speedometers had big white numbers & a bright needle you couldn’t miss. It didn’t matter if it was the fuel or oil pressure. Each measurement had its own little dial & you didn’t need to look through menus to figure out how much gas was left. How neat.
Thin pillars and tall windows
Older cars felt a lot airier inside because the roof posts were much slimmer. The windows were also taller. You could glance over your shoulder and actually see what was next to you, which sounds quite revolutionary. Parallel parking? Lane changes? These didn’t involve craning your neck or praying the blind-spot warning caught something.
Vent windows for breeze
Those little triangular “wing” windows on the front doors had a purpose. Whenever you cracked one open, fresh air rushed in, without your hair blasting around. They also helped clear the fog from the glass. But now they’re gone. As a result, you’re stuck with either AC or rolling the whole window down. It’s certainly not as fun as it once was.
Drip rails over the doors
Speaking of windows, along the side windows, cars used to have slim metal gutters. They didn’t look fancy. But they sure did help in the rain, as you could open the door during a storm & the rails kept water from pouring right onto your lap. These little ridges also made strapping stuff to the roof a whole lot easier. Why did we ever get rid of them?
Big knobs for radio & climate
You didn’t have to tap a screen when you wanted to turn the volume. Nope, you’d grab a fat round knob and twist it. The same went for the heat. Rather than screens, you had a couple of sliders or switches, and that was it. No menus & no icons. The physical sensation of giving it a quick twist or push felt great. It also meant you kept your eyes on the road, so it was far safer than the screens we have today.
Full-size spare tires and jack
An older sedan’s trunk is way more useful than the trunks of today. Pop one open, and you’ll find a real spare tire sitting in its own well, along with the jack & lug wrench. Not a little “donut” wheel or a can of tire muck. Having everything ready meant you could fix a flat yourself. Waiting on roadside service? No thanks.
Keyed ignition and metal keys
Starting the car felt a lot more physical. You had to put the key in & twist it before you felt the engine come to life. Of course, car keys do still exist, but most vehicles are keyless nowadays. Fobs & push-buttons just don’t feel the same. It’s a real shame.
Simple cruise control stalks
In the past, cruise control had three buttons, which were ON, SET & RESUME. That was it. They’d usually be on a little stalk next to the wheel. One press locked in your speed, while another got you going again, without any complicated menus. You didn’t even have adaptive sensors buzzing at you. Oh, life was so much simpler back then & it’s no wonder that so many people miss it.
Warm halogen headlamps
Headlights used to glow in a way that was much easier on the eyes, especially compared to modern LED beams. The bulbs were cheap & you could change them yourself in the driveway. And they lit up the road plenty well. Sure, new LED beams may be brighter, but warmer halogens just felt nicer to drive with at night.
Tall-profile tires and soft ride
Cars once had tires with plenty of sidewall. It may sound like nothing, but that cushion made a difference. Hitting a pothole wasn’t as jarring. As for speed bumps? They were far more forgiving. Replacement tires were everywhere & they didn’t cost a fortune either, because the goal was comfort. That’s pretty different from today.
Ashtrays with lighters
Every car used to have at least one ashtray. Some of the bigger models had two or three, and they weren’t just for cigarettes either. People used them for spare change & candy wrappers. They’d even pop in little odds and ends that had no other home. It’s no wonder many older drivers miss these, as they were rather convenient.
Manual window cranks
Rolling down the windows wasn’t a button press. It was a form of exercise. You grabbed the handle & gave it a few spins until enough air came through, which was quite a bit of work. But at least you knew it worked every time. There was no motor to do the job for you.
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