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The Way it Was: Cars weren't always automatic

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March 10, 2010

by John Straka

The latest, most modern, most advanced automobiles are on display at the Auto Show and that reminds me of when nothing on a car was automatic. No self-starter. No fuel pump. No fuel filter. No coolant thermostat. No air conditioning. No automatic transmission.

Instead, the driver had to hand-crank the engine to start it. The crank was stored inside the car or left dangling out the front just under the radiator. Fuel flowed by gravity from a gas tank just below and in front of the windshield to the engine.

Instead of a fuel filter, there was a sediment bowl that needed to be cleaned once in a while when particles of dirt could be seen settling in the bottom of the bowl.

Instead of a thermostat, cars had a thermometer sticking out of the radiator and when the water temperature was up, the driver used a lever to open shutters that let in more air to cool the radiator.

Instead of air conditioning, cars had windows that were lowered by a hand crank.

One of the best very features was the side window vent. It provided draft-free ventilation.

Some cars had air scoops that could be opened by hand.

Before automatic transmissions, drivers had to learn how to coordinate the clutch and gear shift to put the car through a series of gear ratios.

Before there were turn signals, drivers indicated their intent to turn by using hand and arm signals. Of course, that required the driver side window to be opened, but that wasn't much of a problem because many drivers used their cars only in warm weather.

In cold weather, the manual choke was very important and if you didn't know how to use it, you might just as well walk or take the bus or streetcar.

The carburetor was always in need of attention to keep the gas/air ratio neither too lean nor too rich. It could get clogged, or flooded, too. I'm glad cars don't use carburetors any more.

Coolant used to be a never-ending concern. Alcohol in the water would evaporate and every time a driver bought gasoline, the coolant level was checked and water added if needed. In winter, the level of freeze protection was checked often and alcohol added as needed. When so-called "permanent" antifreeze was used, it would leak out of cooling systems that did not leak alcohol. Maybe that explains why some didn't drive in winter.

Cold weather also affected the cars 6-volt battery and the water level in a car battery was always checked every time the gas tank was refilled. Many car owners had their own hydrometers to check battery and radiator fluids.

At one time, drivers bought a small can of gasoline antifreeze to pour into the gas tank. It would get rid of any water in the fuel lines that might freeze and block the flow of gas to the engine.

I wonder why there are no foot-operated controls on modern cars except for the gas and brake? There used to be a clutch pedal and a button that changed the station on a car radio, or operated the high and low beam headlights. Some cars had the starter switch on the floor under the driver's heel, or under the clutch or gas pedal. Starter switch buttons were separate from the ignition key, often on the dashboard.

Older cars were made with running boards. Actually, a running board is a step that makes it easier to get into a car. I see them on big trucks. Running boards were sometimes fitted with a toolbox that held, among other things, a tire tube patch kit. The running board was a handy place to sit while patching an innertube. The tubeless tire eliminated the need for drivers to learn how to patch a tube. Some running boards were fitted with luggage racks.

Old innertubes could be cut into very strong rubber bands and pieces of innertubes would power a nifty sling shot. A day at the beach was not complete without an old innertube.

Trucks have mud flaps and I'll bet some younger readers have never seen a passenger car with mud flaps.

The same goes for curb feelers. They let the driver know when his car was close to the curb and protected white sidewall tires from getting ugly black smears.

Some other forgotten features include studded tires -- not practical. And then there were cigarette lighters and ash trays. What do smokers do without them?

Lap robe holders on the back of bench-style front seats are no longer needed.

In some cars, a flower vase was mounted on the pillar between front and rear doors. I'll have to think about that one.




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