Home » What Forgotten Car Features Ought To Make A Comeback? Autopian Asks

What Forgotten Car Features Ought To Make A Comeback? Autopian Asks

Aa Oldsmobile Vent Ts
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Usually, when features on cars get phased out, it’s because the world’s moved on. Think about compact cassette players, vacuum-operated wipers, or six-volt electrical systems. The majority of people simply don’t miss those things because what came next was a sizeable improvement. However, every so often, a feature gets discarded for no immediately apparent reason. A feature that we miss. Today, it’s time to talk about gadgets, gizmos, and doo-dads we want to bring back from the automotive graveyard in the sky because not everything leaves when its time is truly up. I’ll start with an example.

This might come as a surprise to anyone more familiar with my premium hooptie tendencies, but my first few cars were all old and American, and most of them came with a delightful component of the HVAC system — a driver-facing vent under the steering column. While frequently referred to as the “ball-chiller vent,” this ingenious solution of ducting and grating will keep your unmentionables cool regardless of what you’re packing, to the point of being more effective than many ventilated seats on modern cars.

Vidframe Min Top
Vidframe Min Bottom

Plus, it’s a relatively simple system. There’s a vent set into an interior trim panel, a bit of ducting, and boom — you can stay fresh, even in high humidity. There are no extra electrical components, little additional weight, and it doesn’t require perforated upholstery. It was a great idea, and something sorely missed on new cars.

1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 2

 

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So, what car features of the past do you think should make a comeback? Maybe you’re a huge proponent of velour over leather, or found the turn signal-activated cornering lights on old luxury cars immensely helpful, or you just want normal cars to be available in actual colors aside from dark blue. Whatever the case, make your voice heard in the comments below.

(Photo credits: Bring A Trailer)

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Evan Shealy
Evan Shealy
4 months ago

I second the vote for the crotch cooler vents. I have them in my trans am, and it is the absolute best set up for comfort.

Evan Shealy
Evan Shealy
4 months ago
Reply to  Evan Shealy

And actual colors for paint selection. I’m tired of grayscale.

Sean Ellery
Sean Ellery
4 months ago

Full size spare wheel

Swedish Jeep
Swedish Jeep
4 months ago

Split tailgates on SUVs – my 2005 Xc90 had a tailgate that folded down and the hatch that opened on top- you only needed a foot or so behind the back to open the hatch up all the way. Volvo even had the factory option of a tailgating table that attached to the tailgate portion.

Swedish Jeep
Swedish Jeep
4 months ago

I had trucks- up to my 2007 Chevy full size that had a bench front seat, or a seat with a folding armrest that could be used as a seat. I had a crew cab and would tow my boat, and six adults could all drive in one vehicle. A six passenger car or Six passenger truck was awesome. Now some huge SUV’s only seat six- in three rows. Bring it back!

VogonFord
VogonFord
4 months ago

Smoker windows! Nothing works better if you don’t want to run the A/C.

Ben
Ben
4 months ago

One of my favorite things about my gen 2 Prius is that they put basic HVAC controls on the steering wheel. You can turn it on and off, and change the temperature without taking your hands off the wheel. I use it all the time, probably more than any other control in the entire car. I’ve never seen that in any other car, and given the death of physical controls I doubt I ever will, but I wish it would show up in every car.

Frank2cv
Frank2cv
4 months ago
Reply to  Ben

Ford Crown Victoria lx (Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car) had that option, you could change de temperature from the steering wheel up until 2011. On earlier models you could change the fan speed too.

C Xiromeritis
C Xiromeritis
4 months ago

I miss the “double lock” mode on Land Rover vehicles. If you double pressed lock button, it would completely disable opening the doors manually without the remote or key, even from the inside! So you could leave the sunroof open – they could open the doors or start the car.

C Xiromeritis
C Xiromeritis
4 months ago
Reply to  C Xiromeritis

Also, if someone tried to carjack you, you could basically lock them IN your car . . . ????

Red865
Red865
4 months ago

Transmission dipsticks, physical HVAC controls and, of course, manual gearboxes in regular cars.

Last edited 4 months ago by Red865
anAutopian
anAutopian
4 months ago

Front bench seats

Naterator
Naterator
4 months ago

Spare tires, dipsticks, and 5k oil change recommendations.

Parsko
Parsko
4 months ago

spare tires

D-Dog
D-Dog
4 months ago

I miss the straight-to-the-fresh-air vents. Whether it was the tilting vent window or the little slider down in the footwell, it was nice to be able to bring in fresh air that didn’t go through the HVAC system and also wasn’t rolling a window down.

C Xiromeritis
C Xiromeritis
4 months ago
Reply to  D-Dog

Yes, a real “vent” setting to bring in fresh, outside air would be great! Once AC became standard, even cars with vent mode were useless since the were all routed through the engine bay which heated the air . . .

Twobox Designgineer
Twobox Designgineer
4 months ago
Reply to  D-Dog

I had forgotten about the footwell vents. We had at least one car with those when I was a kid. Good things to have, although today I wonder whether they’d screw the aero that is giving you your gas mileage

TheDrunkenWrench
TheDrunkenWrench
4 months ago

IMO, SUVs should be ditching hatches and embracing Barn Doors. They open tighter with no overhead concerns, and you can choose to open only one side.

There’s a reason commercial vehicles use em, they’re the better solution.

Twobox Designgineer
Twobox Designgineer
4 months ago

Most commercial vehicles have substantially vertical rear faces. The severely slanted upper halves of the rear of most SUVs are not nearly as well suited to getting the sealing right with a side-swinging door, or a pair of them. Also, it’s much nicer loading and unloading stuff in the rain when there’s a big hatch providing cover.

I agree that barn doors can be an advantage in some tight parking situations.

TheDrunkenWrench
TheDrunkenWrench
4 months ago

The most recent iteration of the Mini Clubman seems to do just fine with barn doors.

I argue the rain protection is minimal compared to the head clearance issue. I’m only 5’7″ and there’s plenty of hatches I have to duck for.

I say, unless you’re giving me a full slant hatch like the 80s 3 doors of yore, where the hatch just goes up and not out, then open up the barn doors and let the horse out, baby!

Twobox Designgineer
Twobox Designgineer
4 months ago

To each their own tastes, of course. Personally I’d prefer to have a hatch that I need to duck under, if it will be there when it’s pouring out and I’m trying to unload a shopping cart.

The Clubman does have some tilt to the window, but it is minimal compared to so many SUVs where it is more like 45 degrees.

C N
C N
4 months ago

Gas tank access behind the rear license plate so I can use any gas pump without feeling like I am wrestling an anaconda

TheDrunkenWrench
TheDrunkenWrench
4 months ago
Reply to  C N

I’m now curious as to how you fill your vehicles, since I’ve literally never fought with a filler hose on ANY vehicle.

Yngve
Yngve
4 months ago

I believe OP is referring to pulling in to a ‘right hand’ pump in a ‘left hand filler’ car.

TheDrunkenWrench
TheDrunkenWrench
4 months ago
Reply to  Yngve

I’m still at a loss on the logistics. I always just line up my filler door with roughly where the hose it. Whether it’s a left or right fill car, left or right hanging hose. From sedan to SUV to pickup truck to box trucks, it’s just never been an issue. Maybe cause I’m left-handed it’s different?

Red865
Red865
4 months ago

-No, he means he drags the hose to the opposite side of the car, usually requires pulling full range of the hose.
-See this frequently at Sams Club here, since they tend to have cheapest fuel price around. Many times the ‘correct’ hand pump is stacked 4 cars deep, but other hand is only 1-2 deep.
-I’m picky about my ride and will avoid at all costs dragging the hose over/across the paint to save a few minutes wait for other handed pump to be available.

TheDrunkenWrench
TheDrunkenWrench
4 months ago
Reply to  Red865

Good God. I thought that was only a thing in tiktok videos and fail compilations.
Then again, you couldn’t force me to wait in a Costco fuel lineup to save $5 with a gun to my head. I’ll pay the extra few cents a liter and fill up elsewhere.

D-Dog
D-Dog
4 months ago
Reply to  C N

My dad has a 1969 Dodge Coronet with the filler behind the license plate. Years ago, whenever we would get on it, we could smell gas and see some on the road behind us. It took a little while to figure out that his fuel cap wasn’t sealing right and we were regurgitating gas with every peel out. Good times!

Red865
Red865
4 months ago
Reply to  D-Dog

No wonder the gas gauge dropped after every peel out 🙂

C Xiromeritis
C Xiromeritis
4 months ago
Reply to  C N

I understand the safety concern that eliminated the gas spout in back, but that wouldn’t apply for charging ports on electrics. Why has no one put the charge port in the middle or front or back?

Red865
Red865
4 months ago
Reply to  C Xiromeritis

Didn’t some of the early ones have it in the middle of front?

John Weirauch
John Weirauch
4 months ago
Reply to  C Xiromeritis

Hyundai Kona and its sister, the Kia Niro EVs both have front grill charge ports. While marginally easier to access than the port in front of the driver’s door of my wife’s car, I feel like hers is much better located because of protection in a fender bender. One little tap and I may lose the ability to charge the car until I get it repaired.

Additionally, being on a side means you can front park or back in, I am limited to front parking whenever I charge, which isn’t my personal preference. Although the same could be said for some public charging locations such as Tesla where you are forced to back in.

J Hyman
J Hyman
4 months ago

For any vehicle over 1000kg, a driver seat in front of the front bumper.

Jason Dekok
Jason Dekok
4 months ago

Outside air vent in the footwell operated by a plunger you would pull. One for driver and one for passenger. My 84 cavalier had them.

D-Dog
D-Dog
4 months ago
Reply to  Jason Dekok

This was mine, too!

Headfullofair
Headfullofair
4 months ago

The Buick LeSabre had a great security feature: a keyed trunk lock on the inside of the driver’s door. When locked, the trunk is sealed and can’t be opened with the electronic locks. So if someone breaks a window of your car, they still can’t get into the trunk.

This feature died with GM sedans but should be reborn in electric car frunks.

Chartreuse Bison
Chartreuse Bison
4 months ago
Reply to  Headfullofair

You can disable the trunk with a button in the glovebox on a toyota/lexus, then lock the glovebox with the mechanical key

Red865
Red865
4 months ago
Reply to  Headfullofair

My wife’s old BMW E46 Convertible had a trunk release button near driver that seem to suddenly quit working. Several months later, found out if you lock the glove box with key, it disabled the electric truck release. Dont know if was a valet feature or due to being a convertible.

Joke #119!
Joke #119!
4 months ago
Reply to  Red865

Probably both.

First Last
First Last
4 months ago

Tailgates!

The suvs we’re all driving now are marketed as active lifestyle vehicles, but anyone with an actual active lifestyle needs a place to sit and put on their ski boots or hiking shoes. And we also need access to the cargo area with a bike rack on the back. It baffles me that you can’t buy an Outback or a Tahoe with a split rear hatch and a proper fold-down tailgate.

C Xiromeritis
C Xiromeritis
4 months ago
Reply to  First Last

I agree – those tailgates also made for a great outdoor changing table! ????

Last vehicles that had that were Land Rover LR3-4 and old Volvo XC90 . . .

Swedish Jeep
Swedish Jeep
4 months ago
Reply to  C Xiromeritis

I miss that feature in my old XC90, the newer ones are standard hatches.

Scott Wangler
Scott Wangler
4 months ago

Vent Windows

Ana Osato
Ana Osato
4 months ago

Buttons.

Hillbilly Ocean
Hillbilly Ocean
4 months ago
Reply to  Ana Osato

This. Motherfarkin’ buttons.

McLovin
McLovin
4 months ago

The sense of relief after completing a long journey you weren’t quite sure the car would achieve.

Brandon Forbes
Brandon Forbes
4 months ago
Reply to  McLovin

I still have that! 2 of my 3 are not guaranteed to get you where you’re going

Stef Schrader
Stef Schrader
4 months ago

It’s an evergreen take! https://www.thedrive.com/news/its-time-for-a-c-crotch-vents-in-cars-to-make-a-comeback

Anyway: dipsticks, physical HVAC and radio controls, luxurious velour upholstery.

Space
Space
4 months ago

Transmission dipsticks. Checking levels under a scorching hot exhaust 2 cm from your raw exposed flesh was not a pleasant experience.

PajeroPilot
PajeroPilot
4 months ago

I had a Holden Astra (AKA Opel, Vauxhall or Saturn Astra, depending where you call home). It was a pretty average car. However, it had something I’ve never seen before or since: you could open or close the windows remotely by holding the lock or unlock button. When you get out of your car, lock it and notice one of the kids has left a window down this is surprisingly handy. The also pretty average Cruze I replaced it with omitted this feature. Bring it back, GM!

InvivnI
InvivnI
4 months ago
Reply to  PajeroPilot

It’s weird how this isn’t a common feature, but it’s still around I believe. My ’06 BMW did it, and it opened/closed the sunroof too (very handy when you realise you forgot to close it after exiting the vehicle). On convertible beemers it could be used to open/close the roof too

PajeroPilot
PajeroPilot
4 months ago
Reply to  InvivnI

Opening and closing the roof remotely has to be the ultimate toy! I can see a date back in the day potentially not being as impressed by it as I was though…

Mars
Mars
4 months ago
Reply to  InvivnI

Also Minis, in which it is very useful given the pillarless doors make it an easier car to get into with the windows down

Sundance
Sundance
4 months ago
Reply to  PajeroPilot

My ’98 Benz has it, our ’20 – ’23 BMWs have it. I believe almost any car has it today. At least here in Europe.

PajeroPilot
PajeroPilot
4 months ago
Reply to  Sundance

Makes sense. As a Belgian built car, that Astra was the only European built vehicle I’ve owned to date. Other than that I’ve had a motley bunch of Australian, Japanese and Korean built cars.

Ricardo Mercio
Ricardo Mercio
4 months ago
Reply to  PajeroPilot

All the German cars I’ve had could do this to some capacity, I never had the remote key programmed for my B5 A4 but y ou could achieve this by twisting the key in the lock anyway. The 2-series could do it with the remote, and the 986 has a remote but only rolls the windows up/down if I twist the key in the lock, likely for safety in case I sit on the remote or some such. It’s a wonderful feature before I get in on a hot day or when in a tight space as the frameless windows simplify access.

FatGuyInALittleCar
FatGuyInALittleCar
4 months ago
Reply to  PajeroPilot

Sooo many people complained that the windows rolled down automatically while it was raining or snowing because they pressed the fob in their pockets/purses. I loved it but that would require people RTFM.

BunkyTheMelon
BunkyTheMelon
4 months ago
Reply to  PajeroPilot

My new-ish Accord does this.

C Xiromeritis
C Xiromeritis
4 months ago
Reply to  PajeroPilot

Some Stellantis vehicles have this – you just need to set the option for the remote to do this – also for sunroofs.

Tricky Motorsports
Tricky Motorsports
4 months ago
Reply to  PajeroPilot

Many modern Fords will roll down windows with the fob. The roll up has to be enabled with Forscan, but I’ve heard it’s factory enabled outside of the US. It’s a great party trick.

Mechjaz
Mechjaz
4 months ago

Buttons, switches, and dials.

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