🏁 Collector Car Corner/Cars We Remember

Notable firsts and possible comebacks in the automotive industry

First as pointy little nubs and then as big fins peaking in 1959 with Cadillac producing the most iconic pair of tailfins ever.

Received an interesting email recently from Marc Phillips from over at Road Runner Transport, a noted car transport company. So, I’ve taken parts of articles I’ve written in the past about some of the “firsts” we enjoyed in the car industry and combine them here with Marc’s “possible comebacks” that have disappeared. I hope it makes for some fun reading.

Here’s Marc’s list provided by Road Runner Auto Transport:

Tailfins

The iconic tailfins of the '50s and '60s weren't just aerodynamic elements; they symbolized an era of optimism and futuristic design. As we reminisce about the sleek and soaring tailfins, imagine a future where these stylish features make a comeback, creating a blend of modern design and vintage allure.

The tailfins of the 1950 decade became more and more massive, culminating in the 1959 Cadillac. (Cadillac)

Bench Seats

Beyond its practicality, the bench seat became a symbol of togetherness and shared adventures. In a world moving toward individualized experiences, there's potential for specialty models to reintroduce bench seats, fostering a sense of community and bringing back the joy of collective journeys.

 This 1961 Chevy Impala SS is a fine example of bench seat beauty back in the day. A most inviting interior, the bench allowed six passenger capacity and, of course, easy access for a loved one to snuggle up close while cruising any avenue, USA. (Barrett-Jackson)

Wing Windows

Before the widespread use of air conditioning, cars featured charming wing windows – small triangular openings that allowed a breath of fresh air into your car without lowering the entire window. The nostalgia surrounding wing windows could spark ideas for incorporating similar ventilation features in modern electric vehicles, providing a touch of simplicity and innovation to contemporary designs.

Hood Ornaments

Once gracing the hoods of luxury cars, hood ornaments were more than embellishments – they were symbols of elegance and individuality. While they might have faded from recent designs, reimagining hood ornaments as customizable accessories could add a touch of personal flair to the exteriors of modern vehicles.

: Some of the best hood ornaments arrived on the 1950 to mid-1950 Pontiacs, featuring chrome and hard colored plastic. (Pontiac).

Round Headlights

With classic and timeless looks, round headlights were once a staple in automotive design. Today, with the advancements in LED technology, envisioning a comeback for round headlights brings together tradition and innovation. Modern vehicles could embrace the simplicity and elegance of this classic headlight style, providing a nostalgic nod to the past.

Cassette Decks

The cassette deck, a staple of the '80s and '90s, brought personalized music to the road. Imagining a revival of cassette decks in contemporary cars taps into the nostalgia of mixtapes and retro tunes, offering a unique audio experience that blends the old with the new.

Pop-Up Headlights

Pop-up headlights, a distinctive feature in sports cars of the past, added a touch of style, drama, and aerodynamics. Reintroducing pop-up headlights in select models could combine aerodynamic efficiency with a touch of automotive flair, enhancing both form and function.

Cord, the short-lived luxury American car maker, caused quite the stir when it unveiled its 810 at the 1935 New York Auto Show

Shag Carpeting

Shag carpeting, with its plush and comfortable feel, was a symbol of luxury and relaxation inside car interiors. Reimagining this quirky feature in luxury or special edition models could offer a distinctive and comfortable driving experience, providing a unique touch that goes beyond traditional interior designs.

With this in mind, let’s discuss some of my “first ever” accomplishments in the auto industry.

Seat Belts Option

American car manufacturers Nash (in 1949) and Ford (in 1955) were the first to offer seat belts as options. By the time 1968 rolled along seat belts were no longer an option.

Air Conditioning

The 1953 Chrysler Imperial was one of the first production cars in 12 years to offer air conditioning as an option. This followed prototype experiments by Packard in 1940 and Cadillac in 1941.

The 1953 Chrysler Imperial featured a special edition in honor of Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation. Chrysler was the first to feature air conditioning as an option on all Imperial models. (Chrysler)

Power Steering

Chrysler introduced the first commercially available passenger car power steering system on its 1951 Chrysler Imperial under the name "Hydraguide." Credit goes to Francis W. Davis for this “first,” he a hydraulic engineer who began his power steering experiments way back in 1906 with Pierce-Arrow.

Car Radio

The car radio was invented in 1929 by American Paul Galvin of the Galvin Manufacturing Corporation. Customers who wanted a radio in their car needed to purchase it as an aftermarket item. One year later, the 1930 Ford Model A had a $200 option radio feature, which was huge money back then. In 2024 dollars, it’s $3,716.48 for that radio.

Oldest Car Brand Still Active

The oldest car brand originated in America that remains active is Buick. It was founded on May 19, 1903, as the main offering of the Buick Motor Company. Auto mogul William Durant took over Buick in 1904 and the car became the flagship marque of a Durant’s new company in 1908, namely General Motors.

First 8-Track Tape Player

The 1966 Mustang was the first car with a factory in-dash 8-Track Player. The 8-Track replaced the “Madman” Muntz 4-track Stereo-Pak.

Disc Brakes

The first mass produced American disc brake applications arrived in 1949 and 1950 on several models. The sub-compact Crosley cars and pickups utilized them as did the full-size Chrysler Imperial Crown as standard equipment.

Sunroof/Moonroof

The very first sunroof award goes to the 1937 Nash. Although crude by today’s standards, it featured a metal panel that could slide open thus offering an “open cabin” experience.

The very first sunroof award goes to the 1937 Nash

First Hatchback

I gave this honor to the 1949-1954 Kaiser Traveler and sibling Frazer Vagabond utility sedans in past columns and there’s no need to change my opinion now.

The very first hatchback award goes to the 1949 to 1954 Kaiser Traveler. This type of “colorful” advertising was common during the era. The Frazer Vagabond was sibling to the Kaiser Traveler and is this writer’s first ever hatchback award winner. Shown is the 1951 Frazer Vagabond. (Kaiser-Frazer).

First 4-Door Crew-Cab Truck

The first crew cab truck appeared in 1957 and was built by International Harvester (IH). Dubbed the Travelette, it took Dodge (1963) Ford (1965) and Chevrolet (1973) many years to “catch up.” To this day, International is a major brand in 18-wheeler and severe duty tractor trailer rigs.

Way ahead of the competition was the 1957 International 4-door pickup dubbed the Travelette. It is the first crew cab to appear in pickup style and seven years ahead of the competition. This factory photo features the 1974 model. (International Harvester)

 Air Bag

In 1971, Ford built an experimental airbag fleet while General Motors evaluated airbags on the 1973 Chevrolets available for government use. However, also in 1973 the Oldsmobile Toronado became the first car with dual (passenger) airbags available to the public. GM then made its air cushion restraint system (ACRS) available as an option on Cadillac, Oldsmobile and Buick models in 1974.

There you have it, this week’s combined article thanks to Marc Phillips at  www.roadrunnerautotransport.com and yours truly. Hope you enjoyed it and check Road Runner Transport for pricing for your car transport needs.

(Greg Zyla is a syndicated auto columnist. He welcomes reader input and questions on collector cars, auto nostalgia and motorsports at greg@gregzyla.com or snail mail at Roosevelt St., Sayre, Pa. 18840)