15 Car Features from the 1970s That Disappeared

The 1970s were a unique era for cars, filled with bold designs and interesting features that set them apart. Many of these once-popular car elements have vanished from today’s vehicles, leaving behind a sense of nostalgia for car enthusiasts. Looking back at these forgotten features gives us a glimpse into the automotive world of the past and shows how much cars have changed over the years.

In this blog, I’ll take you down memory lane to explore 15 car features from the 1970s that have disappeared.

Shag Carpeting

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Shag carpeting wasn’t just for living rooms in the ’70s – it found its way into cars too. This thick, fluffy floor covering added a cozy touch to vehicle interiors. It came in bold colors like orange, green, and brown to match the funky style of the era. While it looked groovy, shag carpets were a nightmare to clean and quickly fell out of favor.

Hood Ornaments

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Standing proud on the front of many ’70s cars, hood ornaments were like mini sculptures. These shiny metal emblems showed off the car’s brand and added a touch of class. They came in all shapes, from animals to abstract designs. Sadly, safety concerns and changing tastes led to their disappearance.

Bench Seats

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Before bucket seats took over, bench seats were the norm in many cars. These wide, sofa-like seats could fit three people up front. They were perfect for drive-in movies and cozy cruising with your sweetheart. Bench seats made cars feel more spacious but didn’t offer much support for cornering.

Pop-up Headlights

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Cars with pop-up headlights looked like they were winking at you when the lights came on. These hidden lamps gave cars a sleek look during the day and only appeared when needed. They were cool but prone to getting stuck, especially in cold weather. Pop-ups eventually disappeared due to safety rules and simpler designs.

Vinyl Roofs

Image Credit: “1978 Ford Cortina 1600 Base” by charles cars is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse.

Vinyl roofs were a popular way to make regular cars look fancier. This fake convertible top was usually black or white and covered part or all of the roof. It gave cars a classy, formal look without the cost of a real convertible. Unfortunately, vinyl roofs often trap moisture and lead to rust problems.

Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighters

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Back when smoking was more common, cars came ready for smokers. You’d find ashtrays in the dash and doors, and a cigarette lighter in easy reach. These features were handy for smokers but collected a lot of gross ash. As smoking became less popular, carmakers replaced them with cup holders and power outlets.

Manual Window Cranks

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Before power windows were standard, you had to use your own muscles to open and close car windows. The circular crank handle was a simple but effective tool. Kids in the backseat often fought over who got to work the windows. While manual windows were reliable, they could be a pain to use in drive-thrus or toll booths.

CB Radios

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CB (Citizens Band) radios let drivers chat with each other on the road. They were huge in the ’70s, especially with truckers and road-trippers. People used fun nicknames called “handles” when talking on CBs. While mostly replaced by cell phones now, some truckers still use CBs to share traffic info.

Wood Paneling

Image Credit: “1963 Ford XL Falcon Squire station wagon” by sv1ambo is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse.

Wood paneling gave cars a distinct look that screamed “1970s.” This fake wood trim was usually made of vinyl or fiberglass. It was especially popular on station wagons, earning them the nickname “woodies.” While some found it classy, others thought it was tacky. The wood look eventually faded away as tastes changed.

Opera Windows

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Opera windows were small glass panels behind the rear side windows. They added a touch of elegance to two-door cars and improved visibility. The name came from fancy horse-drawn carriages used for going to the opera. While stylish, opera windows didn’t serve much practical purpose and eventually disappeared.

Vent Windows

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Vent windows were small, triangular windows in the front doors that could be angled open. They provided great airflow without the wind noise of a fully open window. Vent windows were perfect for a quick smoke or letting out some stuffy air. Air conditioning and better ventilation systems made these little windows unnecessary.

Headlight Wipers

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Just like windshield wipers, some cars had tiny wipers for their headlights. These helped keep the lights clean in bad weather for better visibility. Headlight wipers were most common on European luxury cars of the era. They looked neat but were prone to breaking and were eventually replaced by better headlight designs.

8-Track Players

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Before cassettes and CDs, 8-track tapes were the way to listen to music in your car. These bulky cartridges held about 45 minutes of music on an endless loop. The sound quality wasn’t great, and the tapes often got stuck or tangled. Still, 8-tracks were a big step up from only having a radio in your car.

Horn Rings

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Instead of a button in the center of the steering wheel, many ’70s cars had a full or partial ring around the wheel for honking the horn. This made it easy to honk without taking your hands off the wheel. Horn rings were a holdover from earlier decades but disappeared as airbags became standard in steering wheels.

Fender-Mounted Side Mirrors

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Before steering column stalks became common, many cars had a button on the floor to switch between high and low beams. Drivers would tap this button with their left foot to change the headlights. While it kept your hands on the wheel, the foot switch could be hard to find in an emergency. It was eventually replaced by more convenient hand controls.

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Diana Tablan

Diana Tablan is a freelance content writer who loves to explore fun topics, but she’s particularly keen on writing travel and food blogs. During her free time, she enjoys reading and painting. While on other days, she spends them on learning other skills like cooking.