Remember 3-Door Cars? Here Are 6 More ‘Cool’ Features That Made No Sense
We all look back at quirky car quirks with equal parts nostalgia and head-scratching. Remember 3-door hatchbacks? They were cool—and somewhat useless. But as you dig deeper, you’ll find even more cool features that left drivers puzzled. Here’s a look at some cool features (some of which I personally loved) that most people thought didn’t make sense.
Cool Features That Didn’t Serve Much Purpose
1. Pop-Up Headlights
Once the ultimate cool feature, pop-up headlights graced sports cars like the F40 and Miata. They added dramatic flair and a futuristic vibe while hiding sleek faceplates. But legislated safety standards and aerodynamic concerns eventually killed the trend. Still, nothing says adolescence like your car face lighting up on command. It’s a cool feature many drivers miss—if only for showiness alone.
2. Steering-Wheel Climate Controls
Wouldn’t you love to adjust the temperature without taking your hands off the wheel? Automakers thought so—and installed climate knobs right on the steering wheel rim. Redditors note the idea wasn’t bad, just unnecessary since climate settings rarely need adjustment mid-drive. It sounds convenient, but the benefit didn’t outweigh the complexity. And those awkward knobs? A cool feature that just didn’t.
3. Headlight Wipers
Headlight wipers were created to clear your lights in bad weather—smart, right? Not quite. They were bulky, prone to freezing, and took up valuable maintenance space. Spray nozzles replaced them efficiently. Still, for a time, these little blades were seen as luxury touches on high-end models. A cool feature, yes—but more inconvenience than help in the long run.
4. Under-License-Plate Gas Caps
This one’s clever: a gas cap hidden behind the license plate so you never wonder which side your fuel filler is on. The easter egg feature went away as fillers moved outward for safety and convenience. It was quirky, but more gimmick than game-changer. And once gas stations standardized pumps, it lost its appeal. Still, that secret flap was undeniably a cool feature worth remembering.
5. Joystick Steering (Saab Prometheus)
In the early ’90s, Saab experimented with replacing the steering wheel with a joystick—supposedly for better safety. The move seemed radical, but lacked precision and caused driver fatigue after a few turns. Ultimately, it didn’t improve control and didn’t make it past the prototype stage. A bold idea that fell flat, but definitely one of the odder cool features to hit the concept lab.
6. Car Phones and CD-Changer Magazines
Who could forget those bulky car phones and trunk-based CD changers? Once a luxurious, cool feature, they brought big bucks and big consoles to cars. But once cell phones and USB drives took over, these gadgets instantly felt prehistoric. Trunk storage for mini-disc magazines? No thanks. Still, they’re nostalgic reminders of a time when in-car communication was novel—and awkward.
Cool Feature or Just Clever? Time Will Tell
It’s tempting to romanticize old car quirks, but it’s even better to understand why they faded—and to appreciate the ones that stuck. These cool features tell a story about automotive design: ambitious, flashy, and sometimes totally impractical. They made for great conversation starters, but quickly became extra weight or unnecessary complexity.
Which of these would you bring back, and which aren’t worth reviving? Share your thoughts below!
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