70 replies to this topic

[TerryS]

Real nostalgia

 

The strange world of forgotten car accessories (msn.com)

[sabrejet]

I have to admit I have owned three of those items: a Sit-Rite back rest (I don't think it did much), the steering wheel glove (not sure why) and a genuine Rootes replacement 1725 engine for my Humber Sceptre (an absolute must, since the original was seized solid). The engine came from the Rootes dealer in Ramsgate, delivered in 'long' engine format and IIRC cost about £250. I wonder if such a thing is even possible these days?

[Glengavel]

On a similar topic, 1965 Halfords goodness:

 

https://classics.hon...1965-catalogue/

[GreenMachine]

Where have all the nodding dogs gone, long time passing ...

[Ray Bell]

Most Australian cars were fitted with the weathershield and sunvisor in the fifties and early sixties...

[absinthedude]

Didn't Tony Jardine make millions from those rubber strips that hung off the back of the boot....purporting to ground the car against static electricity?

[absinthedude]

One can track changes in popular culture through various catalogues, as well as identify products that really made an impact (those Campingaz cylinders in the Halfords catalogue are still available today, and while the camping equipment is very outdated today's kit is a direct descendant)...and those that didn't! It's fascinating to see what manufacturers and marketers *thought* would be popular, and what actually was. Just look at the variety of ash trays in that Halfords catalogue....sometimes I need to remind myself that even in my lifetime (I was not born at that point), most people smoked everywhere. 

 

Why is the flat cap a "safety cap" for motorists? 

 

It seems there has long been a desire to make cars more adaptable, carry more luggage, make the seats that bit more comfy, add stowage cubbies, and before even radios were standard equipment...to have some kind of entertainment. 

[BRG]

I never go anywhere without my Silverstone driving coat and protective felt cap.  

 

As for replacement engines, they were a common thing.  The BMC Gold Seal range was well-known.  I had a Ford exchange engine for my Escort 1300GT but when we opened the crate, it turned out to be a brand new unit - presumably a proportion of the exchanged engines were only good for scrap so they had to top up the supply with brand new ones.  I can't remember the cost exactly but it was around £300 (?)

 

Whatever happened to those vacuum gauges that were often seen as after market fits?  And were they worth having?

[BRG]

Where have all the nodding dogs gone, long time passing ...

Place your order here! 

[john winfield]

DIY electronic ignition kits seemed very big in the 70s then, presumably, manufacturers began to include it as standard. So, like many accessories, technical or cosmetic, the market changed or, in some cases, disappeared.

[john winfield]

I still have a tube of Solvol Autosol, but I can't find any chrome to polish.

Edited by john winfield, 30 May 2024 - 08:38.

[BRG]

DIY electronic ignition kits seemed very big in the 70s then, presumably, manufacturers began to include it as standard. So, like many accessories, technical or cosmetic, the market changed or, in some cases, disappeared.

Like quite a few of the other more useful accessories, these are still a thing in the classic car field.  You can get electronic ignition that fits into a conventional style distributor. to maintain a period original look.   There are also alternators disguised as old skool dynamos. available for the same reason.

[Sterzo]

I am sure my 1965 Triumph Vitesse wouldn't have been nearly so fast without its polished wooden gear knob.

[F1matt]

The 1980's comedy stickers seem to be making a comeback, especially on motorhomes. I have seen several "don't come knocking if the van is rocking". "I may be slow but I am in front of you", and "my other car is a Porsche" sticker emblazoned on the back of a motorhome. Fortunately the "Don't laugh your daughter may be inside" sticker is nowhere to be seen, probably for the best as it sounds sinister now. 

[amerikalei]

I am sure my 1965 Triumph Vitesse wouldn't have been nearly so fast without its polished wooden gear knob.

I upgraded the plastic one in my '81 Rabbit to a lovely walnut Momo knob.  Turned it from a utility hatchback to a GT car with the twist of a couple of the tiniest allen set screws I've ever encountered.

[GreenMachine]

Where have all the nodding dogs gone, long time passing ...

 

 

Place your order here! 

 

Oh woe is me, out of stock not known if stock will become available     

[BRG]

You weren't quick enough!!

[marksixman]

Whatever happened to those vacuum gauges that were often seen as after market fits?  And were they worth having?

A vacuum gauge is a very very good indicator of engine efficiency - if I was told to tune an engine (and that was once my profession) with only one instrument, it would be a vacuum gauge. 

 

Were they worth having ? As a dashboard item they merely told you how efficiently (ie. light on the gas) you were driving, so that was good. But it could also warn you of something not right if you understood 'normal' readings.

[Bob Riebe]

J.C. Whitney: One stop shopping for car parts and weird stuff.

 

https://honkjournal....nd-accessories/

[Lee Nicolle]

Most Australian cars were fitted with the weathershield and sunvisor in the fifties and early sixties...

And I have removed hundreds of them in 50 odd years

[Lee Nicolle]

I never go anywhere without my Silverstone driving coat and protective felt cap.  

 

As for replacement engines, they were a common thing.  The BMC Gold Seal range was well-known.  I had a Ford exchange engine for my Escort 1300GT but when we opened the crate, it turned out to be a brand new unit - presumably a proportion of the exchanged engines were only good for scrap so they had to top up the supply with brand new ones.  I can't remember the cost exactly but it was around £300 (?)

 

Whatever happened to those vacuum gauges that were often seen as after market fits?  And were they worth having?

Th engine trade has changed somewhat. Not that many reconditioners left these days, Modern engines generally outlast the throwaway cars. Though 'crate' engines seem to be very popular, generally performance versions for both modern and old cars

[2F-001]

Like quite a few of the other more useful accessories, these are still a thing in the classic car field.  You can get electronic ignition that fits into a conventional style distributor. to maintain a period original look.   There are also alternators disguised as old skool dynamos. available for the same reason.

 

... and fuel injection throttle bodies disguised as DCOEs too.

[Lee Nicolle]

I still have a tube of Solvol Autosol, but I can't find any chrome to polish.

I have a tin of it as well as a tube. Mostly used polishing alloy. Though I do own a chrome bumper car.

[john aston]

I was consulting my wife's Shell Road Atlas of Gt Britain , 1974 edition , only this morning . Although I'm no stranger to Sat Nav , I made it a point of honour always to plot my Caterham trips using the proper map - an analogue car needs analogue navigation . 

[Dick Dastardly]

Are Furry Dice still available?   

[Vitesse2]

Are Furry Dice still available?   

Yep. Three quid from Halfords.

[Odseybod]

I still have a tube of Solvol Autosol, but I can't find any chrome to polish.

About 20 years ago, when my late wife and I were the Shuttleworth Collection volunteers responsible for the 1910 Deperdussin monoplane being well-polished, Autosol was the prescribed stuff for keeping its alloy panels shiny.

[john winfield]

About 20 years ago, when my late wife and I were the Shuttleworth Collection volunteers responsible for the 1910 Deperdussin monoplane being well-polished, Autosol was the prescribed stuff for keeping its alloy panels shiny.

 

I hope your efforts were appreciated!

 

My Autosol was used primarily to make my Honda CB125 look sparkling, on the odd occasion that I bothered to wash it (which wasn't very often in the summer of 1976).

[B Squared]

Vilem B. Haan, Inc. was a regular advertiser in Car and Driver and also Road & Track for many years.

[10kDA]

Vilem B. Haan, Inc. was a regular advertiser in Car and Driver and also Road & Track for many years.

MG Mitten's full-page ads. Coco mats!

[Tom Glowacki]

Every time I see a Tesla coming at me with that big flat spot at the very front, I think that J..C. Whitney, were it still with us, would have several chrome grilles in its catalog to mount on that spot.  A nice faux Buick Roadmaster grille for example.

[Bikr7549]

J.C. Whitney: One stop shopping for car parts and weird stuff.

 

https://honkjournal....nd-accessories/

 

I still have and use a few things from JCW-a nice rubber mallet and a small impact driver. Both still work fine and at least the mallet gets regular use.

[Bloggsworth]

Are Furry Dice still available?   

Not only still available, but still getting past go and collecting £200...

[DogEarred]

I'd swap everything for a 'Put a Tiger in your Tank'  tiger's tail...

[BRG]

But have you got a radio aerial to display it upon?  I can't remember my last car to have an aerial!

[2F-001]

Wasn’t it an Esso-style tiger tail that adorned the crowd-favourite Opel that raced for year after year at the Nurburgring 24 hours?

[DogEarred]

But have you got a radio aerial to display it upon?  I can't remember my last car to have an aerial!

 

I hung mine off the rear bumper of my Bedford Beagle.

 

Much more realistic but it did get a little dirty...

[10kDA]

J.C. Whitney: One stop shopping for car parts and weird stuff.

 

https://honkjournal....nd-accessories/

I actually bought some "speed equipment" from JC Whitney for my RD350 race bike. I bought a fork brace, air caps for the fork, and I'm pretty sure I got a super lightweight ABS front fender from them too.

[10kDA]

I'd swap everything for a 'Put a Tiger in your Tank'  tiger's tail...

And Gulf horseshoe stickers on the same car.

[GeoffSanders]

Great memories

Mention of the Esso Tiger takes me back to my childhood

i hesitate to say it, but my first car had ‘Furry Dice’ - Yes - Shame on me

[BRG]

But whatever happened to the personalised sunstrip?

 

[john winfield]

But whatever happened to the personalised sunstrip?

Saw one five minutes ago. 'Lukasz'. Just 'Lukasz', so presumably not currently in a relationship.

[Dick Dastardly]

I used to have a car with "Tiger in Your Tank" sticker on the boot......was a Corgi Model

Corgi #318 Lotus Elan S2, Superb Condition in Very Good Original Box | eBay

[LittleChris]

Saw one five minutes ago. 'Lukasz'. Just 'Lukasz', so presumably not currently in a relationship.

 

Or a very singular one 

[D28]

Jack's Repco-Brabham had such a sticker on it. I ordered a quality print from R&T which I still have and that tiger symbol is on the right flank. Dutch GP 1966

Edited by D28, 02 June 2024 - 01:23.

[Lee Nicolle]

I'd swap everything for a 'Put a Tiger in your Tank'  tiger's tail...

I saw one on the Bay to Birdwood last year on a Hillman

[seharvin]

 

Picked one of these up in the local classifieds.

 

Decided it was unwise to burden ancient electrics by testing it so relegated to "for display purposes only" at the Sunday cars & coffee

[B Squared]

MG Mitten's full-page ads. Coco mats!

Jim Clark driving gloves

[bsc]

Wasn’t it an Esso-style tiger tail that adorned the crowd-favourite Opel that raced for year after year at the Nurburgring 24 hours?

The Opel Manta purported to have a fox tail attached to it (obviously not genuine).

[2F-001]

The Opel Manta purported to have a fox tail attached to it (obviously not genuine).

Ah, yes - thanks for correcting my flakey memory.