My old model 2 Land Rover had positive earth, non synchro manual transmission and two fuses running everything.

Egregore beat me to vacuum operated windshield wipers.

The filler cap for a ‘57 Chevy is above the L taillight, hidden behind a door made of the vertical chrome that outlines the fin.

The filler cap for the ‘56 is hidden behind the drop down left taillight.

No body mention the record player or Kleenex dispenser under the dash?

Oh, and I remember turning wrenches on a 39? Chevy with a torque tube, and friction shocks. I used to replace the king pins in the old cars I bought for cheep. I bought 2 1955 chevys for under $25,
And neighbor gave me 57 BelAire. Also got a Henry J for free. The heater was 2 ceramic doors under the dash that opened up. A necessary option for us in Michigan.

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:

quote:

Originally posted by Jimbo54:

quote:

Originally posted by 229DAK:

quote:

I could take a bunch of friends with me.

Or your girlfriend to a drive-in movie.

My Dad had a '57 Chevy Bel-Air....

Do you remember where the gas cap was on the 57 Chevy?

Jim

Was that the one under the flip up tail light?

Yep.

Jim

If you were lucky enough to have windshield washers, there was a rubber button on the floor to push with your foot.

Has 'on the dashboard push-button transmission' (our early/mid 60's(?) Rambler station wagon had this) been mentioned?

I had a number of both sedans & pick ups that featured center windshield cowling lift up vent scoops. A couple old pick ups (one was a 47 GMC) that had bottom-of-windshield opened with a crank in middle of top dash plate.

My 28 Ford Sedan had a handy 'lift & rotate out of way' floor shifter, & a spiffy flop & fold into forward foot space, the front passenger seat. Big hand space for ....'other uses'....

Speaking of usable engine cranks, my 64 Citroen DL served me well as the last dealership on the west coast was unable to even order needed parts to repair starter for about a year.

I agree with comment above: the 'golden age' of automobiles is NOW!!!

 
'56 Chevy (and perhaps other years) offered an optional vacuum-cleaned ashtray. When actuated, it used engine vacuum to suck out the bottom of the ashtray to a large glass jar mounted under the dash. I doubt many were sold, but I picked one up at a swap meet. It was a genuine NOS Chevrolet part.

Epic thread! Memories flooding back.

Some other things that washed up on our shores like the VW windshield washer that was powered off of the spare tyre or the half spring, half leather strap that held the rear axle on early MG Midgets. No one has mentioned the optional gasoline or alcohol fired heaters that were available for Jeeps and other vehicles.

57 Chevy gas cap was under a flip to the side panel just above the left rear tail light

Separate switch just for the Starter? My MGA had a pull knob for the starter. Also, in 1960 it still came with a crank that went through the front bumper to the crankshaft - manual crank for starting.

Anybody know of a more recent car with a standard hand crank for starting?

Who made a truck with an optional three point hitch?

quote:

Originally posted by sig operator:
57 Chevy gas cap was under a flip to the side panel just above the left rear tail light

It was a late 50s Nash that had the filler cap behind the right tail light. The lens would pivot to the side, as I recall.

I had an 80¢/hour job at a local gas station. Gas was 18.9¢/gallon. That was the marked price, which folks coming off US 40 paid. Regular local customers got a 2¢/gallon discount.

For that price, the customer got his windows cleaned, tire pressure checked (and filled if necessary). Radiator also checked and filled. Oil was checked too, but the customer had to pay for oil added.

Beauty rings and fake white sidewalls.
Big hood ornaments that were airplanes etc.

Here is a couple type cars I grew up with




The dark color car won the FoMoCo Trophy one year.

Do you remember where the gas cap was on the 57 Chevy?

Jim[/QUOTE]

Was that the one under the flip up tail light?[/QUOTE]

The filler under the flip up tail light was in either the 55 or 56 Caddy...

'57 Chevy left tail fin; you moved a hinged piece of chrome to the left.

The gas filler of the Continental Mark II was behind the tail light housing. The whole light unit swung out and to the side.

quote:

Originally posted by GRIZZLYBEAR:
Do you remember where the gas cap was on the 57 Chevy?

Jim

Was that the one under the flip up tail light?[/QUOTE]

The filler under the flip up tail light was in either the 55 or 56 Caddy...

'57 Chevy left tail fin; you moved a hinged piece of chrome to the left.[/QUOTE]

I guess we’re all in agreement then

My Triumph TR3 had a manual crank for the engine

Vacuume wipers.

Ridged rear view mirror (no day/night adjustment)


Gas cap on the '56 was also under the tail light. I stopped telling people that after the second person grabbed the bullet lens and twisted, breaking it off once again.