There’s no denying that we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to new cars, with a wider choice of makes and models than ever. But it could be argued that, despite the variety, new cars lack the charm, character and fun of older cars – with more of a focus on safety and fuel economy than driver enjoyment.
This got us thinking, which features are missing from modern cars which made their classic counterparts so great?
Here, we’re taking a nostalgic look at some of the classic car features we think are missing from modern cars.
Manual Gear sticks
Handbrake Levers
Actual Keys
Remember the days before ‘start/stop’ buttons and keyless entry? We do, and fondly. As a new driver, there was nothing more exciting than getting your first set of car keys; using them to turn the ignition on your new car was freedom personified. There was something reassuring and solid about using a key to enter and start your car, without relying on electronic gadgetry that you always feel is going to let you down. Plus, we love the keys that flip out of the holder when you press the button; it adds a real sense of occasion to starting your car.
Thin A-Pillars
Larger Rear Windows on Hatchbacks
Ever wondered why rear visibility is so poor in modern hatchbacks? Drive a car like the new Ford Fiesta, for example, and you’d be forgiven for thinking you were driving a van the rear window is so small. This wasn’t the case on hatchbacks of old, with the original Fiesta offering superb visibility in all directions. Again, it comes down to safety, with smaller windows helping to strengthen the car’s bodywork, which can also aid handling through corners. We do miss bigger rear windows though, and hatchbacks certainly aren’t as easy to park as they used to be.
Pop-Up Headlights
Vent Windows
Lots of classic cars from the 1950s and 60s featured vent windows at the front. They were normally small panels in front of the main side windows, and opened outwards, allowing for a gentle breeze in the cabin. Often called ‘smoker’s windows’, these vents were introduced so drivers could easily flick ash out the car, at a time when millions used to smoke at the wheel. While we’re by no means lamenting the decline of smoking in cars, there was something cool about vent windows, especially those fitted to American cars from the 1950s.
Retro Steering Wheels and Dashboards
No one could deny that dashboards on classic cars are way cooler and better looking than those found on many contemporary models. With a blend of wood, leather, exposed metal and plastic, control panels used to hold retro appeal and felt reassuringly solid from the driver’s seat. By comparison, many modern car dashboards are a sea of plastic, normally black or grey, with very little in the way of character. We’re not saying all old dashboards used to be handsome – because some were undoubtedly cheap and nasty – but on particular models, like the Jaguar E-Type for example, the blend of leather and chrome was a perfect combination.
Simplicity Under the Bonnet
Modern cars are complicated machines that rely on lots of electronic wizardry, so it’s becoming harder for the average car owner to carry out fixes and servicing themselves. Now, complex electronic diagnostic tools are often needed to identify faults, making new cars much trickier to work on. Older cars don’t have this problem, with a simple layout under the bonnet and none of the added electrics of newer cars. This is one of the main reasons why classic cars are so collectable, as they’re a joy to tinker with and work on.
CD and Cassette Players
Say what you want about CDs and cassettes, but there was something nostalgic about playing them in a car. While streaming music is obviously a lot more practical than carrying around a bunch of tapes and CDs, scrambling around in your glovebox for the right tape or else flicking through a CD carry case was what road trip playlists were all about. Most new cars don’t have a slot for your old discs, and certainly not tapes, which could leave some drivers dreaming of yesteryear.
Bench Seats
Bench seats were the norm in early cars, and we reckon lots of you will be able to remember riding shotgun with your siblings in the front of your parent’s car. Though not the safest or most comfortable, bench seats were great for cramming in passengers and cosying up with your better half behind the wheel; they were also wonderfully retro, and reminiscent of cars found in films like Grease. We’re probably not going to see a return to bench seats anytime soon, but they’re a feature we feel sure some will miss from old cars.
Do you agree with our list? Which classic car features do you miss? Let us know over at the Redex Club Facebook page. Or, if you’d like to learn about our fuel additives and system cleaners, visit the Redex homepage.