Ten classic features that have vanished from new cars

Did you know that there has been some features that have been removed from new cars recently? Let's take a look at what classic features have been removed of late.

As technology drives the evolution of the automotive industry, many once-beloved car features have quietly disappeared from the production line. While new cars are loaded with digital innovations, it’s hard not to miss some of these retro touches that brought personality and simplicity to driving. Here are ten classic car features that have all but vanished from modern vehicles.

Manual Handbrakes

The tactile feel of yanking a manual handbrake is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Most new cars are now fitted with electronic parking brakes, operated by a small switch. While more efficient and sleek, they lack the satisfying click of a traditional handbrake, a loss for driving purists​, according to CarGurus.

Manual Windows

Remember the days when rolling down the windows required some elbow grease? Manual window cranks were standard in cars for decades, offering a simple, fail-safe mechanism. Now, electric windows are ubiquitous, and the good old crank is largely relegated to history​.

Cassette Players

Cassette players, once the pinnacle of in-car entertainment, have long been replaced by CD players, and now even those are fading in favor of USB ports and streaming options. It’s unlikely you’ll find a new car with a built-in cassette deck today, as digital media rules the roost​.

Manual gearbox

Pop-Up Headlights

Few features screamed “cool” like pop-up headlights. These retractable lights, most famous on cars like the Mazda MX-5 and Corvette, gave vehicles a futuristic look. Sadly, due to modern safety regulations and design changes, they’ve been consigned to the past​.

Full-Size Spare Tyres

A full-size spare tyre in the boot used to be standard, giving drivers peace of mind for long road trips. Today, space-saving mini spares (or even puncture repair kits) have taken their place to free up space and reduce weight, but at the cost of convenience in an emergency​. Space saving or bring back the full size spare?

Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighters

Once a mainstay in almost every car, built-in ashtrays and cigarette lighters are now largely extinct. As smoking in cars has become less common, many manufacturers have removed these features altogether, replacing them with additional cupholders or USB ports​.

Crank Start Ignitions

While crank-starting a car seems like ancient history, it was a standard feature on early vehicles. Today’s keyless ignitions, where drivers only need to press a button, have made this relic of the automotive past seem unthinkable. Still, it’s a fascinating reminder of how far we’ve come​.

Bench Seats

The wide bench seat in the front row was once a common sight in American cars, offering seating for three across. However, due to safety advancements like bucket seats and the central console, the front bench has been largely phased out, leaving this feature in the past​.

Chrome Bumpers

Classic cars often featured gleaming chrome bumpers, which added a distinct, bold aesthetic to their designs. In recent years, lightweight plastic has become the norm for bumpers, improving aerodynamics and safety, but at the expense of that iconic vintage look​.

Analog Gauges

While not completely gone, analog gauges are being edged out by digital displays in many new cars. The simple, elegant needle-and-dial design has been replaced by customizable digital screens, giving drivers more information at a glance but lacking the charm of traditional instrumentation​, some might say.

These features evoke a sense of nostalgia for many drivers who grew up with them, but they’ve been sacrificed in the name of progress. Whether for safety, efficiency or simply to keep up with modern tastes, these classic elements of motoring are unlikely to make a comeback, except perhaps in retro-inspired models. Will you miss them or are you all for upgrading and keeping up with the times?

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