Auto upholstery shops that work on a lot of antique cars know that a "rumble seat" is a reverse trunk lid that opens to reveal a hidden bench seat in many old-school roadsters. But how many know where the term comes from? … [Read more...] about Why Do We Call It a ‘Rumble Seat’?
Industry History
Flashback: Nash Motors Debuts Car Beds
In the 1930s, several automakers — including Nash Motors — debuted seat configurations that allowed drivers to transform their interiors into mobile bedrooms. At the time, the technology was viewed as a revolutionary advancement in cabin design. … [Read more...] about Flashback: Nash Motors Debuts Car Beds
Flashback: The ‘Mobile Director’ Package
The 1960s proved to be a defining decade in American automotive history, especially in regards to luxury cars. During that period, rivals Lincoln, Chrysler and Cadillac were in constant competition to see which could manufacture the most opulent cabin. Of course, Cadillac always came out on top. But the rivalry spawned a number of unique interior features. Among them was the … [Read more...] about Flashback: The ‘Mobile Director’ Package
Flashback: The First-Ever Seat Belt Alarm
In June 1960, a man named Wes Jayne in Woodhaven, New York, wrote a letter to Popular Science magazine boasting about how he finally convinced his wife to wear a seat belt. However, his victory wasn't the result of rational argument or even trickery. It was clever engineering. What Jayne did is rig his car's front passenger seat to sound an annoying buzzer and flash a … [Read more...] about Flashback: The First-Ever Seat Belt Alarm
Flashback: Kaiser’s Zebra and Lion Interiors
In 1951, U.S. automaker Kaiser Motors debuted four special-edition vehicles at the Chicago Auto Show trimmed in exotic pelts — including zebra, lion, polar bear and horse. The designs were the brainchild of Carlton Spencer, a well known interior designer of the period. … [Read more...] about Flashback: Kaiser’s Zebra and Lion Interiors
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