Religion and Ethics and Health BBS

Religion and Ethics and Health BBS
[ Religion and Ethics and Health BBS ]

Automobile changes in my lifetime

Posted by DFM on June 6, 2026, 7:22 pm

When I was a kid, cars did NOT come with the following as standard equipment.

Turn Signals
Brake Lights
Seat Belts
Electronic Ignition
Electronic Fuel Injection
Power Steering
Heater
Air Conditioner
Left and Right Side Mirrors
Backup Lights
Crushable Chassis For Energy Absorption In Accidents
Radio
Air Bags
Power Dual Braking System
Anti-Lock Braking System
Traction Control
Power Windows
Power Mirrors
Power Door Lock
Automatic Transmission
Electronic Security Lock

Also drum brakes did not have drainage channels, so that, if a car was driven through standing water, the brakes nearly ceased working altogether because the water in the brake drums permitted the brake shoes to hydroplane almost frictionlessly. Today brake drums and brake shoes have diagonal grooves to force water out.

Spare tires and emergency brakes were good ideas and they should not have been removed.

Posted by Ken C on June 6, 2026, 10:41 pm, in reply to "Automobile changes in my lifetime"

I agree.

Posted by DFM on June 6, 2026, 11:29 pm, in reply to "Spare tires and emergency brakes were good ideas and they should not have been removed."

I like how I can turn on my car A/C from my smartphone,

Posted by Ken C on June 6, 2026, 10:36 pm, in reply to "Automobile changes in my lifetime"

When I was a kid

Posted by Maverick on June 6, 2026, 7:49 pm, in reply to "Automobile changes in my lifetime"

cars had bench seats. Was real fun to slide from one side of the back seat to another during sharp turns.
Steering wheels were giant with just a horn on them.
Seat belts were never used.
No AC just 4 wide open windows. Good luck when it rained.
Cars had small vent windows, now long gone.
Dashboard had dials. Radio didn't always find a station.
Old fashion paper maps, no GPS.
No sun roof. Convertibles or solid roof.
Gas stations pumped gas, checked the oil, squeegeed the windshield, had free maps.
Manual transmissions were easy to find. I still love them.
We had a real spare tire. No space saver.
Button on the floor to turn on high beams.
I don't think we had emergency flashers.
You could buy leaded or unleaded gas.
Highway speed limit 55.
No double tractor trailer rigs.
Cars had style. They now look like fat jelly beans to me.
Cars had color. I am tired of black, white and gray cars. Bring back colors.
You could drift around corners.
Giant V8 engines.
Muscle cars.

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