Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[lowdrag]

We've had a thread on modern technology versus old, but what from the past would you like to bring back for your modern car? I was thinking of this yesterday while driving on the motorway, wishing for all the world that I had that little central sun visor so I didn't have to keep dodging the low sun.

[Mikey77]

A freewheel transmission.

[alastairq]

A clutch?

[BigJohn]

Opening quarter lights, rain shields over the side windows, and roof guttering so you don't get soaked getting out of the car.

[Penman]

Hi BJ
I have these fitted on my V40
http://www.weathertech.com/side-window-deflectors/
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Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
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V8 V10

[Rick]

Any setting operable by the driver, eg heating/ventilation, that doesn't involve multiple menus ... or indeed a screen full stop.

RJ
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[BigJohn]

I don't know about that one Rick, when SWMBO went through the change independent heating/cooling climate control made my life a joy. In winter I always take my coat off in the car and set the heating, my side is constant with no sudden blasts of freezing air anymore. The Boss can do what she likes on her side.

[badhuis]

I do not like automatic climate control. You should set a temperature which sounds great in theory. In practice you get sometimes a colder flow when you do not want it. And for example if I want a slight breeze of warmth directed at the legs this is pretty hard to accomplish.
In old cars you just put the heater to hot (or a bit less) and direct the flow to the legs (or a bit less).

My modern also has automatic lights which should come up when the car decides it is too dark. But when it rains I still have to switch them on manually. So, even while it pretends it is automatic I still have to think / check to see if the lights are on or not. Bah.

What I miss most in moderns is the fact that you always have a hard time to guess the length and width of the car. In older cars this is much easer because you can see the extremes and the glass area seems much bigger as well.
Yes I now moderns have parking aids but I like to see for myself as well.
_________________
a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment

[Rootes75]

I wouldn't mind a car without a computer on board that makes it very difficult to work on at home!
_________________
Various Rootes Vehicles.

[lowdrag]

[baconsdozen]

Grease nipples. Sealed for life is OK as long as the life is a long one.
_________________
Thirty years selling imperial hand tools for old machinery(Now happily retired).

[Rusty]

[Ray White]

I would quite like to have built in jacks; ideal for wheel changing etc.

I would quite like the old scuttle vents that direct cooling air to your feet in hot weather and an opening windscreen (which can also be used in fog.)

I would also like a modern car that has a freewheel and overdrive or perhaps they could bring back the pre selector gearbox and fluid flywheel.

Perhaps we could have new cars with separate wings and running boards, a nice chrome or nickel radiator shell and stand alone lights with easy change bulbs.

Maybe I could have an idea as to what has gone wrong when the flippin thing breaks down at the side of the road!

[Keith D]

I would dearly like to return to floor mounted dip switches for the headlamps! And also no computers on board!

Keith
_________________
1926 Chrysler 60 tourer
1932 Austin Seven RN long wheelbase box sedan
1950 Austin A40 tourer
1999 BMW Z3
Its weird being the same age as old people.
You are either part of the problem or part of the solution

[Rusty]

Something else I would like back is radios with knobs !!!!!