One of the most remarkable aspects of cars is that they have never been solely about transportation. They have consistently served as rolling canvases brimming with personality, innovation, and a touch of madness. Throughout history, designers and engineers have continually pushed the creative boundaries, incorporating features that range from undeniably practical to utterly bizarre. It is truly captivating to observe what they have devised!
As buyer preferences evolve over time and manufacturers develop new technologies, it is only natural that certain automotive features transition into the mainstream while others are relegated to the annals of history. However, for every high – profile car feature that is gradually phased out, such as the CD player or the manual transmission, there are numerous features that come and go unnoticed. Occasionally, it is simply a matter of carmakers substituting them with superior alternatives, and in other instances, those overlooked features simply fail to gain traction in the first place.
In rare instances, the most unconventional car features become coveted collectibles, but more often, they simply fade into oblivion. These features all appeared on cars from past decades, and although some are now sought – after, others seem highly eccentric — or even downright odd — in hindsight. So, take a seat, relax, and let us delve into some of the most outlandish car features ever conceived! You will certainly not find any of these in a new car today, that is for certain.
1. **Record Player** Having a large, unwieldy record player firmly affixed to the front of a car might appear to be an exceedingly impractical solution for in – car audio, and to be honest, it indeed was! The concept would ultimately fade away after failing to gain popularity as its creators had anticipated. However, this idea was surprisingly persistent, despite its glaring shortcomings. One could truly say it was a rough journey for your music!
The first of these limitations was swiftly identified after the initial in – car record players were installed in Chrysler cars in the mid – 1950s. Although the soft, well – cushioned suspension of the brand’s top – tier models enabled minimal skipping during driving, mid – range cars were severely affected as their suspensions were not as refined. There was also the problem of playing time, as the record players could only accommodate seven – inch discs. Just picture your road – trip playlist being restricted to a mere few dozen options!
In an attempt to address this issue, a new type of disc was developed at CBS to fit a larger record onto a smaller disc. However, only a limited selection of records was available for purchase, which severely restricted buyer choice. An enhanced system was introduced for the 1960 model year, which could switch among up to 14 single discs. But let’s face it, it was still not as convenient as simply turning on the radio. The in – car record player persisted as a niche option throughout the 1960s in certain cars, gradually becoming more obscure until it was completely discontinued in 1970. It remains a highly sought – after option among certain classic car collectors, but has largely been forgotten by everyone else following the advent of cassettes, CDs, and digital music streaming. Farewell, skipping records!
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2. **Ice Maker** Minivans and other family vehicles are truly among the best cars in which to discover unusual features. In the early days of the minivan segment, manufacturers employed all manner of gimmicks to distinguish themselves from the competition. And indeed, they exhibited remarkable creativity!
Take the Toyota Van, which was first introduced in the mid – 1980s, as an example. One of its standout features was the incorporation of a built – in ice maker and a refrigerator. While refrigerators and beverage coolers can still be found in cars today, it is exceedingly rare to encounter an actual ice maker. Just picture pulling over and concocting some fresh ice for your soda on a scorching summer day! Pure indulgence, wouldn’t you say?
The ice maker was not the only distinctive aspect of the Van, as its boxy design and mid – engine layout are also relics of a bygone era. The latter is particularly noteworthy, with the engine positioned beneath the front row of seats. To gain access to it, the seats had to be lifted, rendering routine maintenance a more complex process than that of most other vans. The Van was superseded in 1990 by the even more quirky – looking Previa. However, alas, only Euro – spec Previas were outfitted with an ice maker, while Americans had to manage without one. What a frosty injustice!
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3. **Shower** Undoubtedly, determining which in – car option is the weirdest is a matter of personal perspective. However, a strong contender has to be the built – in shower that was included in the options list of the first – generation Honda CR – V. While a campervan equipped with a shower makes far more sense, installing a shower in a Civic – based compact SUV appears rather peculiar, don’t you agree? Who was the one requesting this feature?
Nevertheless, Honda provided this option from 1997 to 2001, presumably in an attempt to enhance the car’s image as a competent adventure vehicle. It remains unknown how many buyers actually selected the shower as an option, which, frankly, is not surprising. There are few scenarios in which the shower would genuinely prove useful, at least within the context of the activities of most CR – V owners. Unless one frequently went off – roading through mud bogs and required an immediate rinse, it is difficult to envision.
Perhaps it was intended to be used as a means of rinsing mud off shoes, clothes, and equipment after a long day outdoors, or ensuring that a dog was clean before getting back into the car after a walk. That is certainly one way to utilize it! Buyers seeking to add a portable shower to their modern CR – V are out of luck, as this option was discontinued several generations ago. So, no more impromptu car washes for your muddy boots… or for yourself!
Car Model Information: 2016 Honda CR-V LX
Name: Honda CR-V
Caption: 2023 Honda CR-V e:HEV
Manufacturer: Honda
Aka: Honda Breeze (China, 2019–present)
Production: 1995–present
Class: Compact crossover SUV
BodyStyle: Sport utility vehicle
Layout: Front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout,Front-engine, four-wheel-drive layout
Chassis: Unibody
Predecessor: Honda Crossroad
Successor: Honda ZR-V
Categories: 2000s cars, 2010s cars, 2020s cars, All-wheel-drive vehicles, All articles containing potentially dated statements
Summary: The Honda CR-V (also sold as the Honda Breeze in China since 2019) is a compact crossover SUV manufactured by Japanese automaker Honda since 1995. Initial models of the CR-V were built using the same platform as the Civic.
Honda began producing the CR-V in Sayama, Japan, and Swindon, United Kingdom, for worldwide markets, adding North American manufacturing sites in East Liberty, Ohio, United States, in 2007; El Salto, Jalisco, Mexico, in late 2007 (ended in early 2017); Alliston, Ontario, Canada, in 2012; and Greensburg, Indiana, United States, in February 2017. The CR-V is also produced in Wuhan for the Chinese market by Dongfeng Honda, and also marketed as the Breeze in China for the version produced at Guangzhou by Guangqi Honda.
Honda states that “CR-V” stands for “Comfortable Runabout Vehicle,” while the term “Compact Recreational Vehicle” was used in a British car review article that was republished by Honda, associating the model name with the Sports Utility Vehicle abbreviation of SU-V.
As of 2022, the CR-V is positioned between the smaller ZR-V (marketed as HR-V in North America) — with which the CR-V shares a platform — and the larger North American market Passport/Pilot or the Chinese market Avancier/UR-V. It is currently Honda’s best-selling vehicle in the world, and the second best-selling SUV globally in 2020.
Get more information about: Honda CR-V
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Brand: Honda Model: CR-V
Price: $15,345 Mileage: 102,036 mi.
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4. **Night Panel** While it is widely recognized among Saab enthusiasts, the company’s Night Panel remains a feature that is overlooked by many other automobile aficionados. This ingenious little button was first introduced in 1993 and was specifically designed to address the issue of interior lighting obscuring the driver’s vision at night. After all, who requires all those distracting lights, do they not?
When the Night Panel was activated, every light on the dashboard would be turned off, with the exception of the speedometer. The rationale was that during long night drives, this would diminish the likelihood of eye strain and also make it easier to concentrate on the road ahead. It is a surprisingly simple yet brilliant concept. Envision a dashboard with only the bare essentials illuminated — pure driving focus!
This feature continued to be available on Saab’s vehicles until the company’s demise following GM’s bankruptcy. Since then, no other automaker has replicated this feature. Interestingly, Volvo Trucks introduced a very similar feature for its European commercial vehicle lineup in 2017. Given that today’s cars offer an ever – expanding array of screens, it appears that this classic feature is ripe for revival. However, for the time being, it remains exclusive to older Saab models. We are patiently awaiting its return!
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5. **Water-Filled Car Bumpers** Prepare for a dramatic splash! Although these bumpers never featured as factory – installed options, water – filled car bumpers were briefly made available by a West Coast parts manufacturer in the late 1960s. This may seem like something straight out of a cartoon, but it was indeed a reality! Developed by Rich’s Soft Cushion Bumper Co., demonstrations of this feature were conducted in Los Angeles in 1967, and they actually left a positive impression on local officials.
A small number of Californian police departments are reported to have equipped their vehicles with these bumpers, along with a fleet of taxi drivers and a considerable number of private buyers. The rubber bumpers were designed with stoppers that would rupture upon impact, causing water to spray out of the bumper in the process. This would absorb some of the impact force of the collision, making low – speed bumps potentially just a matter of replacing the stoppers and refilling the bumpers. Envision a minor fender – bender transforming into a water – spraying spectacle!
While the invention gained a certain degree of popularity on the West Coast, it never extended its reach to other regions of the country. Despite their potential for enhancing safety, the bumpers were, to put it mildly, unattractive, and this significantly dampened buyer demand. The company is also reported to have become embroiled in legal disputes with car manufacturers and eventually ran out of funds. It appears that practicality (and aesthetics) triumphed over the comedic appeal of a water – splashing bumper.
6. **Rear Seats in a Truck Bed (Subaru Brat)** The Subaru Brat is an unconventional truck that sustains a devoted fanbase and, consequently, commands surprisingly high resale values. It is not merely the truck’s compact design and distinctive appearance that render it unique, although they undoubtedly contribute to its allure. Instead, its defining characteristic lies in its rear seats, specifically, the location of those rear seats.
Rather than adopting a conventional two – row extended cab or crew cab design, the Brat’s second row is positioned rearwards in the truck bed. Yes, you have read that correctly: in the truck bed! This was no design error; rather, it was a deliberate decision by Subaru to ensure the affordability of its truck. It is an amusing workaround that only a government tax could have prompted!
In an effort to safeguard the dominance of domestic truck manufacturers, the U.S. government imposed the notorious “chicken tax,” levying a 25% tariff on any non – domestically produced pickup. The Brat was manufactured in Japan and would otherwise have been subject to this tax. However, by installing the rear seats, the Brat could be classified as a passenger car rather than a truck, thereby exempting it from the tariff. Quite ingenious, isn’t it? The seats were not even designed for actual use and could be readily removed from the truck bed by the owner. Nevertheless, not all owners opted to remove them; instead, they were content to let their rear passengers cling on for dear life via the grip handles while on the road. One can only imagine what a thrilling (and likely terrifying) ride that must have been!
7. **Vanity Set (Cadillac Eldorado Brougham)** For those who had the financial means to indulge, it was difficult to surpass a ’57 – ’58 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham in terms of all – out grandeur. This magnificent vehicle was more expensive and more luxurious than even a Rolls – Royce, and as such, was reserved for the most affluent of Cadillac’s clientele. Only 704 units were built over the two model years, making it incredibly exclusive.
Each one was equipped with a list of standard features and accessories longer than the entire options sheets of most cars. Among the most unusual and delightfully opulent items was the complimentary vanity set, which included a powder case, a mirror, lipstick, and a comb. Envision simply touching up your makeup on the move in your Cadillac! Four tumblers were also standard in case the car’s occupants required some liquid refreshment during their journey. How civilized!
Other complimentary items encompassed a leather – bound notebook, a cigarette case, a coin holder, and even a scent dispenser. Some of these features have since been replicated in modern cars. For instance, Rolls – Royce currently offers an optional decanter set and cigar case on all its models, while certain high – end Mercedes – Benz models, such as the EQS, offer fragrance dispensers. However, complimentary vanity sets remain largely the preserve of Cadillac’s cars from its golden era. It truly demonstrates how far luxury could be taken in the past!
Alright, fasten your seatbelts, because we are not yet finished with the automotive eccentricities! Just when you thought you had seen all the wonderfully bizarre innovations from car history, we are about to delve into seven more features that will make you scratch your head, chuckle, and perhaps even wish for their return. Get ready for another round of vintage vehicle amusement!
Car Model Information: 2024 Genesis GV70 2.5T AWD
Caption: 1963 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible
Name: Cadillac Eldorado
Manufacturer: Cadillac
Production: 1952–2002
Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout
Aka: Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado
Class: Personal luxury car
Successor: Cadillac CTS
Categories: 1960s cars, 1970s cars, 1980s cars, 1990s cars, 2000s cars
Summary: The Cadillac Eldorado is a luxury car manufactured and marketed by the Cadillac Motor Car Division of General Motors from 1952 until 2002, over twelve generations.
The Eldorado was at or near the top of the Cadillac product line. The original 1953 Eldorado convertible and the Eldorado Brougham models of 1957–1960 had distinct bodyshells and were the most expensive models offered by Cadillac during those years. The Eldorado was never less than second in price after the Cadillac Series 75 limousine until 1966. Beginning in 1967, the Eldorado retained its premium position in the Cadillac price structure, but was manufactured in high volumes on a unique, two-door personal luxury car platform.
The Eldorado carried the Fleetwood designation from 1965 through 1972, and was seen as a modern revival of the pre-war Cadillac V-12 and Cadillac V-16 roadsters and convertibles.
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Brand: Cadillac Model: Eldorado Brougham
Price: $39,995 Mileage: 20,074 mi.
8. **Live Music Audio System (Toyota Sera)** Ever aspired to have your car emulate the ambiance of a concert hall, meticulously designed to cater to your auditory senses? Well, the Toyota Sera, renowned for its exceptionally stylish butterfly doors (which, it is said, served as an inspiration for the McLaren F1, a matter of no great consequence), had another ace up its sleeve. It was equipped with the Super Live Sound System, which was developed in collaboration with Fujitsu specifically for the Sera’s compact cabin to replicate the experience of, as you might have guessed, live music! This can be regarded as an immersive driving experience even before such a concept became widespread.
This remarkable audio configuration featured 10 speakers strategically positioned throughout the car, with a unique characteristic: four of these speakers were installed in a bar above the parcel shelf that could actually rotate! In “Casual Mode”, the speakers faced the occupants directly, just like a conventional sound system. However, when switched to “Funky Mode”, the speaker bar would rotate to face the car’s rounded rear window, reflecting sound waves off it before they reached the passengers. Toyota genuinely asserted that this reflection enhanced the reverb, making it sound as if you were at a live performance. Extraordinary!
Regrettably, this custom acoustic innovation was developed during the heyday of Japan’s economic bubble era. When the Sera was discontinued, economic conditions deteriorated sharply, and fun, extravagant features like the Super Live Sound System simply had no opportunity for further development. So, if you desire to experience that live concert atmosphere during your commute, you either need to purchase a vintage Sera or carry your own boombox.
9. **Removable Body Panels (BMW Z1)** Raise your hand if you have ever harbored the desire to simply unbolt your car’s body panels after a minor collision and install new ones at home. Is it just us? Well, BMW, always with a forward – thinking mindset, had a similar idea as early as the late 1980s with their Z1 roadster. This car was the brainchild of BMW Technik, a specialized skunkworks group dedicated to pioneering concepts, and indeed, they truly lived up to the term “pioneering”!
One of their initial remarkable innovations was the development of a new technique for pressing plastic body panels. This enabled them to produce low – volume panels much more readily. However, here’s where things become truly extraordinary: the entire body of the Z1 was composed of these plastic panels, and they were designed to be rapidly removed and reinstalled using only a screwdriver. BMW even claimed that with a complete second set of panels, you could convert your red Z1 into a blue one in approximately an hour. Just envision the potential for car color changes based on your mood!
This groundbreaking idea was intended to make replacing damaged panels as straightforward as purchasing a new part and installing it by yourself, eliminating the need for costly professional assistance. It was a DIY enthusiast’s dream come true! Unfortunately, despite its absolute brilliance and practicality for minor scratches (as well as significant style alterations), this feature never found its way onto other BMW models, nor did any other automaker courageously take on this challenge. What a missed opportunity for a truly customizable driving experience!
10. **Fax Machine** Before we were all engrossed in our smartphones, there existed a period when the zenith of on – the – go communication was… a fax machine. And for a brief yet splendid era, having one installed in your car represented the ultimate status symbol, particularly in Japan. Envision yourself cruising to work, being chauffeured, and transmitting urgent faxes from the backseat of your Toyota Celsior (which you may recognize as the Lexus LS400 in the U.S.). After all, who needs to delay sending faxes until arriving at the office, right?
It was not merely Japanese manufacturers that participated in the fax – related endeavors. In a move that would indeed raise eyebrows today, Audi persisted in offering a fax machine as an optional feature on its executive – specification A8 models well into the late 2000s! This was mainly targeted at their Japanese customers, who, to their credit, simply could not abandon fax machines long after the rest of the world had embraced email.
While fax machines, against all expectations, continue to enjoy a niche popularity in Japan even today, the in – car fax machine has, fortunately, been relegated to the amusing annals of automotive history. It truly reflects an era when convenience meant being capable of sending a paper document from your moving vehicle. Farewell to paper jams on the highway!
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11. **Pop-Out Windshield (Tucker Model 48)** Car safety features have undergone significant development, yet some early endeavors were, so to speak, somewhat unconventional. Consider, for example, the pop – out windshield featured on the legendary Tucker Model 48. This automobile has already attained a legendary status, with merely 51 units ever manufactured before a stock – manipulation scandal forced the company to cease operations. However, apart from its renowned ‘Cyclops eye’ third headlight, which actually rotated in tandem with the steering wheel to enhance cornering visibility (and was later briefly adopted by Subaru, of all brands!), it was equipped with this utterly peculiar windshield.
The concept underlying the pop – out windshield was that in the event of a frontal collision, the windshield would literally pop out, theoretically preventing occupants from slamming their heads against it. Now, this may seem like a sound theory, but here is the catch: there are no documented records indicating whether this feature was ever actually put to the test in a real – world crash scenario. Therefore, we can only envision the dramatic, glass – shattering spectacle of a Tucker collision.
While the “Cyclops eye” found a new lease on life, the pop – out windshield remained a singular innovation exclusive to the Model 48. It stands as a testament to the wild, unbridled creativity of early automotive engineers who were clearly unafraid to attempt anything, even if it entailed potentially propelling an entire pane of glass into the unknown during an accident. Audacious, Tucker. Extremely audacious.
Car Model Information: 2024 Genesis GV70 2.5T AWD
Caption: 1948 Tucker 48 sedan
Name: Tucker 48
Production: 1947–1948 (MY1948; total of 50 cars completed)
ModelYears: 1948
Manufacturer: Preston Tucker
Class: Sedan (automobile)
Designer: Alex Tremulis,Read Viemeister
Engine: Overhead valve engine,334.1 cuin
Abbr: on
Transmission: Cord 810/812; Tucker Y-1 (Modified Cord 810/812); , TuckerMatic (R-1, R-1-2, R-3 versions)
Layout: Rear engine, rear-wheel drive, 4-wheel independent suspension (rubber torsion tube (no springs) with shock absorbers)
Wheelbase: 128.0 in
Length: 219.0 in
Height: 60.0 in
Width: 79.0 in
Assembly: Chicago,Illinois,United States
Weight: 4200 lb
Categories: 1940s cars, 1948 establishments in the United States, All Wikipedia articles in need of updating, All articles needing additional references, All articles with unsourced statements
Summary: The Tucker 48, originally named and still commonly referred to as the Tucker Torpedo, was an automobile conceived by Preston Tucker while in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and briefly produced in Chicago, Illinois, in 1948. Only 51 cars were made including their prototype before the company was forced to cease all operations on March 3, 1949, due to negative publicity initiated by the news media, a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation, and a heavily publicized stock fraud trial (in which the allegations were proven baseless and led to a full acquittal). Tucker suspected that the Big Three automakers and Michigan Senator Homer S. Ferguson had a role in the Tucker Corporation’s demise.
The 48’s original proposed price was said to be $1,000, but the actual selling price was closer to $4,000.
The 1988 movie Tucker: The Man and His Dream is based on the saga surrounding the car’s production. The film’s director, Francis Ford Coppola, is a Tucker owner and displays his vehicle on the grounds of his winery.
The Tucker 48 is often referred to as the Tucker Torpedo. However, the Torpedo was actually a prototype, and the name was never used for the production model, which was officially called the “Tucker 48”.
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Brand: Tucker Model: Model 48
Price: $39,995 Mileage: 20,074 mi.
12. **Austin Allegro’s Quartic Steering Wheel** Who made the decision that steering wheels had to be round? Seriously, who? Because back in the vibrant 1970s, British Leyland apparently regarded that as merely a suggestion. Here comes the Austin Allegro, a vehicle that boldly (or imprudently) introduced the ‘quartic’ steering wheel. Yes, you have read it correctly: a steering wheel with a square – like shape. For why adhere to tradition when one can revolutionize the circular form?
According to The Telegraph, their rationale was to facilitate drivers in viewing the instrument panel. You see, as if a small portion of the steering – wheel rim was truly obstructing all that vital information. However, drivers promptly found that a square – like wheel resulted in awkward handling, particularly during sharp turns or when rapid wheel – spinning was required. Envision attempting to parallel park with that contraption!
Unsurprisingly, this geometric wonder was discreetly discontinued just a few years later. Yet, despite being a design failure in terms of practicality, the quartic wheel remains one of the most audacious and undeniably oddest interior selections in automotive history. It serves as an amusing reminder that sometimes, innovation can deviate slightly… from the norm.
13. **Datsun Maxima’s Talking Car** Forget beeps, chimes, and blinking lights. In 1981, the Datsun Maxima opted for a far more personalized approach to alerting its drivers: it would literally converse with them. After all, who requires abstract signals when one can have a cordial (or perhaps, slightly nagging) female voice reminding them of their driving habits? This innovative sedan aimed to render car warnings more approachable, and it unquestionably succeeded in making them unforgettable.
By employing miniature phonograph records with multiple grooves, each groove would emit a distinct, pre – recorded message. Hence, if you neglected to turn off your lights, the car would courteously (or not – so – courteously, depending on your interpretation) announce, “Please turn off the lights.” Forgot to fasten your seatbelt? “Fasten your seatbelt.” It is akin to having an extremely opinionated co – pilot who happens to reside in your dashboard.
While nowadays we might regard this as quirky, particularly with our silent, minimalist digital dashboards, back then, this voice warning system was perceived as a significant stride forward in automotive safety. It is difficult not to smile at the thought of someone engaging in a full – fledged conversation with their car in the 1980s. A true glimpse into a future that was, well, a bit talkative.
14. **Peel P50’s Pocket-Sized Parking Trick** Rounding off our compilation of remarkably eccentric automotive relics is the Peel P50, a vehicle so endearingly impractical that it almost circles back to being ingenious. Crafted on the Isle of Man in the 1960s, this diminutive powerhouse was just over four feet in length and three feet in width. That is smaller than numerous refrigerators, indeed! It even holds the Guinness World Record for the smallest production car ever manufactured.
So, what is the comical ploy? The Peel P50 is famously devoid of a reverse gear. Absolutely none. Not a single one. Nada. If you needed to reverse or navigate into a tight parking space, the car’s design prompted drivers to simply dismount, grasp a handle at the rear, and manually drag it backward! Talk about a truly hands – on driving experience. Your parking proficiency was less about steering and more about upper – body strength.
It sounds preposterous, but it was part of its peculiar charm – you could literally haul this suitcase – sized wonder through a doorway. While modern cars flaunt self – parking features, the P50 simply required you to exert some manual effort for that perfect parking spot. It is a comical, bygone solution to urban parking dilemmas that reminds us that sometimes the simplest (and most ludicrous) ideas are the most unforgettable.
And there you have it, everyone! From record players that skipped more frequently than a bad habit to cars that literally conversed with you, and even mini – scooters concealed in trunks, the history of the automobile is a thrilling and fascinating journey. These are not merely obscure features; they are quirky little time capsules that exhibit the boundless creativity (and occasional madness) of car designers over the decades.
They remind us that cars have always been more than just means of transportation from point A to point B. They are reflections of our aspirations, our longings, and sometimes, our most outlandish notions. Who knows what ingenious, or wonderfully eccentric, innovations future cars will bring? One thing is certain: the open road of automotive design is never dull, and we are wholeheartedly here for the next round of comical features that will eventually make us exclaim, ‘Wait, cars used to have THAT?!’ Stay eccentric, auto world, stay eccentric!
