Dennis Kirban
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2009
Similar to the other thread I started about obscure cars from the 1980s this thread has no range of years.
Simply stated factory options or aftermarket fads that quickly came and went related to the automotive. I have cited a few below that fit factory options or aftermarket fads.
I know you can name many more depending on your age:
Few years back the small yellow BABY ON BOARD SIGNS.....
In the 1970s you had not only the aftermarket CB unit but Caddy for one made it an option for a few years tying the antenna into the factory radio antenna.
Based on my knowledge of GTOs you had the goofy reverb Pontiac usd a few years in the 1960s that made the radio audio have an echo sound.
From 1967 to 1969 8 tracks had a short life span in GTOs.
Going back few more years they were called curb feelers for those not familiar with that term rather than waiting until your nice wheel hit the curb these gizmos stuck out on the body.
Factory cassette players had a fairly long run replaced gradually by CD and Satilite radio.
GM in the late 1950s when transistor radios came out offered a removeable pop in transistor radio that worked in your car and could "pop out" and be used outside the car....this was am only.
Chrysler again mid 1950s in the high end models offered a record player. Crude by todays standards and rare when new and rarer today.
Several companies in the 1960s offered aftermarket versions for cars that played 45 rpm records upside down. (I had one in my 1961 Corvette) Believe the brand was motorola.
Suicide knobs same time frame as curb feelers.....they have a nostalgic appeal now.
Like dice hanging from the rear view mirror.
In my teenage years upon high school graduation we hung the tassle from our hat off the rear view mirror.
Member the keep on trucking decals people stuck on cars?
Another short lived aftermarket or factory fad twin antennas off the back fenders.
Prior to electric trunk releases GM for a short period of time used a choke cable style and then for a short period of time vacuum operated trunk release.
Weird today push button start is now an option on some cars in the 1940s and 1950s it was how almost every car was started!
Your turn to add to the list member a fad or option.
denniskirban@yahoo.com
Simply stated factory options or aftermarket fads that quickly came and went related to the automotive. I have cited a few below that fit factory options or aftermarket fads.
I know you can name many more depending on your age:
Few years back the small yellow BABY ON BOARD SIGNS.....
In the 1970s you had not only the aftermarket CB unit but Caddy for one made it an option for a few years tying the antenna into the factory radio antenna.
Based on my knowledge of GTOs you had the goofy reverb Pontiac usd a few years in the 1960s that made the radio audio have an echo sound.
From 1967 to 1969 8 tracks had a short life span in GTOs.
Going back few more years they were called curb feelers for those not familiar with that term rather than waiting until your nice wheel hit the curb these gizmos stuck out on the body.
Factory cassette players had a fairly long run replaced gradually by CD and Satilite radio.
GM in the late 1950s when transistor radios came out offered a removeable pop in transistor radio that worked in your car and could "pop out" and be used outside the car....this was am only.
Chrysler again mid 1950s in the high end models offered a record player. Crude by todays standards and rare when new and rarer today.
Several companies in the 1960s offered aftermarket versions for cars that played 45 rpm records upside down. (I had one in my 1961 Corvette) Believe the brand was motorola.
Suicide knobs same time frame as curb feelers.....they have a nostalgic appeal now.
Like dice hanging from the rear view mirror.
In my teenage years upon high school graduation we hung the tassle from our hat off the rear view mirror.
Member the keep on trucking decals people stuck on cars?
Another short lived aftermarket or factory fad twin antennas off the back fenders.
Prior to electric trunk releases GM for a short period of time used a choke cable style and then for a short period of time vacuum operated trunk release.
Weird today push button start is now an option on some cars in the 1940s and 1950s it was how almost every car was started!
Your turn to add to the list member a fad or option.
denniskirban@yahoo.com
