# Do Any New Cars Still Have The Following? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 13, 2015, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-new-cars-still-have-the-following/719916 "2015-05-13T06:08:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bb49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b38774/32.png) [@bb49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bb49)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-new-cars-still-have-the-following/719916/1 "2015-05-13T06:08:17Z")
I’ve been wondering about cars today that have standard and optional equipment that we just don’t see anymore. Such as: 1. Vinyl roofs 2. Three on the tree/three speed standard column shifter. 3. Real front bench seats. You know, where the chic can snuggle up to the driver.No fold down centre armrest of course. 4. Floor mounted high beam switch. 5. Wing windows. Are any of these still included in cars, or have they gone the way of the dodo bird. And can any of you include a few more? ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-new-cars-still-have-the-following/719916/2 "2015-05-13T10:40:24Z")
Carburetors. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-new-cars-still-have-the-following/719916/3 "2015-05-13T11:12:57Z")
> [@bb49](#): > > I’ve been wondering about cars today that have standard and optional equipment that we just don’t see anymore. Such as: > > 1. Vinyl roofs > 2. Three on the tree/three speed standard column shifter. > 3. Real front bench seats. You know, where the chic can snuggle up to the driver.No fold down centre armrest of course. > 4. Floor mounted high beam switch. > 5. Wing windows. > > Are any of these still included in cars, or have they gone the way of the dodo bird. > And can any of you include a few more? 1. not from the factory. most of the people who want vinyl roofs died at least 10 years ago. you can still get aftermarket ones as a dealer-installed accessory. 2. there’s nothing on the market that still has a three speed transmission of any sort. and column gear selectors are rare except for trucks. 3. pickup trucks can be had with front bench seats. 4. No. 5. No. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-new-cars-still-have-the-following/719916/4 "2015-05-13T11:23:19Z")
> [@bb49](#): > > 1. Real front bench seats. You know, where the chic can snuggle up to the driver.No fold down centre armrest of course. [https://www.cars.com/articles/2012/04/2014-chevy-impala-marks-end-of-front-bench-seats-in-cars/](https://www.cars.com/articles/2012/04/2014-chevy-impala-marks-end-of-front-bench-seats-in-cars/) Just ended last year. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-new-cars-still-have-the-following/719916/5 "2015-05-13T12:20:40Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > 1. not from the factory. most of the people who want vinyl roofs died at least 10 years ago. you can still get aftermarket ones as a dealer-installed accessory. Or aftermarket auto service companies. There are still living people who restore classic cars from the era of vinyl. I know the OP is about new cars; I’m just pointing out that there are options. When driving through Detroit, I see interesting tastes for some people’s vehicles. Back in 2011 I would regularly see a modern Cadillac with an aftermarket vinyl roof during my daily commute. I’m shuddering thinking about it now. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-new-cars-still-have-the-following/719916/6 "2015-05-13T12:48:24Z")
> [@bb49](#): > > And can any of you include a few more? - Column-mounted timing adjustment - Wooden wheels - Dash mounted choke - Hand crank ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-new-cars-still-have-the-following/719916/7 "2015-05-13T13:11:03Z")
A horn that goes “owOOOGa”. It would be less irritating than today’s horns and sort of take the sting out of “courtesy” honks. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-new-cars-still-have-the-following/719916/8 "2015-05-13T14:11:31Z")
> [@bb49](#): > > And can any of you include a few more? Solid steel dash boards, no seat belts and the hidden seats in the rear cargo area of station wagons? ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-new-cars-still-have-the-following/719916/9 "2015-05-13T14:22:19Z")
[bud vases](http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/129409.html?1268194687) ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-new-cars-still-have-the-following/719916/10 "2015-05-13T14:31:42Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > [bud vases](http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/129409.html?1268194687) > **[Volkswagen Beetle Nipped in Bud](https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/volkswagen-beetle-nipped-bud-130915/)** > > The news this week that Volkswagen will be redrawing the body lines of the Beetle for only the second time in its history included a tidbit about the corporate decision to eliminate the car's bud vase. Who cares? Well, apparently, the folks in the... The VW New Beetle had one until the most recent redesign. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-new-cars-still-have-the-following/719916/11 "2015-05-13T14:33:26Z")
Continental Kits ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-new-cars-still-have-the-following/719916/12 "2015-05-13T14:39:00Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > - Column-mounted timing adjustment > - Wooden wheels > - Dash mounted choke > - Hand crank [Carbide lamps.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbide_lamp) ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-new-cars-still-have-the-following/719916/13 "2015-05-13T19:36:18Z")
[Turntables](http://www.cnet.com/news/chryslers-in-car-phonograph/) for vinyl records. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-new-cars-still-have-the-following/719916/14 "2015-05-13T19:37:55Z")
Are there any cars that don’t have power windows? I can’t remember the last time I saw a window handle. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-new-cars-still-have-the-following/719916/15 "2015-05-13T19:43:46Z")
> [@August\_West](#): > > Are there any cars that don’t have power windows? > > I can’t remember the last time I saw a window handle. Behold, the [shittiest car for sale](http://static.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/images/Auto/izmo/366647/2015_nissan_versa_dashboard.jpg) in the US! I’m sure there are others, but I know you can still _technically_ get manual windows and locks on the Versa. It may be hard to actually find one, though. eta: Oddly, the Versa does come standard with steering wheel mounted audio controls, and (I think) bluetooth. Strange bean counting, indeed. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-new-cars-still-have-the-following/719916/16 "2015-05-13T20:02:24Z")
There are (or at least until very recently were) some commercial vehicles sold in the rest of the world that had column-shifted 4 or 5 speed manual transmissions. I don’t know if any ever made the jump to a 6-speed though. These days the more common arrangement is where the shifter is sticking out of the dash. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-new-cars-still-have-the-following/719916/17 "2015-05-13T20:03:16Z")
I miss fresh air floor vents. Pull the knob and let outside air blow in around your feet! I say silent turn signals are to blame for so many people driving miles with a signal on. Corvair and Toronado literature and reviews used to tout their flat front floorboards since they didn’t have a transmission tunnel. Now that most cars (I consider RWD SUVs trucks, not cars) are FWD like the Toronado, what do they do? They put in huge center consoles that take up all that floor space and leg room. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-new-cars-still-have-the-following/719916/18 "2015-05-13T20:09:31Z")
> [@california\_jobcase](#): > > I miss fresh air floor vents. Pull the knob and let outside air blow in around your feet! I say silent turn signals are to blame for so many people driving miles with a signal on. > > Corvair and Toronado literature and reviews used to tout their flat front floorboards since they didn’t have a transmission tunnel. Now that most cars (I consider RWD SUVs trucks, not cars) are FWD like the Toronado, what do they do? They put in huge center consoles that take up all that floor space and leg room. ☹ Most cars still have a tunnel for the exhaust, but crucially, damn near every FWD car has to be built to support AWD due to cost sharing and economies of scale. Your FWD VW Rabbit is built on the same chassis as the Golf R, AWD Jetta SportWagen, Audi A3 with Quattro, and then slightly modified for the Tiguan and Q3 crossovers. Even though something like 85% of the cars built on any given chassis will be FWD, they all have room in the tunnel for a driveshaft. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-new-cars-still-have-the-following/719916/19 "2015-05-13T20:14:28Z")
Also, probably related to the demise of fresh air vents and wing windows, I don’t think you can get a car without AC anymore. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2015, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-new-cars-still-have-the-following/719916/20 "2015-05-13T20:20:44Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > Most cars still have a tunnel for the exhaust, but crucially, damn near every FWD car has to be built to support AWD due to cost sharing and economies of scale. I think “damn near every” is an exaggeration. Besides, the tunnel for an AWD shaft doesn’t require nearly the space an old Turbo 350 transmission needed. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-new-cars-still-have-the-following/719916.md?page=2)