Idiosyncratic features to be savoured
Discussion
saaby93 said:
FDVictor said:
Cortina Mk III had a really useful fresh-air vent in the top edge of the instrument binnacle blowing fresh air through the steering wheel into your face.
werent the a number of cars where the centre vents were unmolested fresh air so you could breath cool fresh air while your feet were being toastedEdited by Triumph Man on Friday 31st March 13:15
My 1997 Rover 200 (R3) had two sliders above the rotary heater controls. One was the recirculation control (nothing unusual) but the other was genius: It controlled whether heated or fresh air (or a mix of the two) went to the face level vents, so you could have warm feet but cool head. This was a carryover from the R8 / various Honda Civic derivatives.
Mk1 Rover SD1 face level fresh air vent between rev counter and speedometer that blew flesh air through the top of the steering wheel onto your face.
TVR 350i electric boot release in B-post only accessible with drivers door open.
TVR Chimaera pre-face lift rear illuminated number plate.
TVR 350i electric boot release in B-post only accessible with drivers door open.
TVR Chimaera pre-face lift rear illuminated number plate.
IanCress said:
WinstonWolf said:
I'm pretty sure you could fold the passenger and the rear seat down in my V50 saloon, you could get a whole carpet in the bugger rolled up.
I've had a V60 and V70 and they both had this feature. I wonder if the current V90 and XC90 still have it?HTP99 said:
seiben said:
Again in the MR2, there was a button behind the barrel to release the ignition key. Had to explain this to every garage it went to and would still get sheepish phonecalls from mechanics who couldn't get the key out.
Seen that alot on similar era Japanese cars, I've never understood the thinking behind it.[quote=seiben]I loved the dash on my MR2 Mk1. Flip up switches on either side of the wheel for the wipers and lights, but full-beam was still on the indicator stalk.
The Fiat Uno also had a similar set up with flick-up switches for lights and wipers locsted behind and either side of the steering wheel.
Fresh-air dash vent was always very welcome, although having the cabin temperature sensor behind the cup-holder always turned the air-con to max cold if you put a coffee in there
Still the same problem on the F10 5 series.
The Fiat Uno also had a similar set up with flick-up switches for lights and wipers locsted behind and either side of the steering wheel.
Fresh-air dash vent was always very welcome, although having the cabin temperature sensor behind the cup-holder always turned the air-con to max cold if you put a coffee in there
Still the same problem on the F10 5 series.
My 1992 SAAB 900 T16S had directional wheels, and the vacuum system - already mentioned - for the heating and ventilation also operated the cruise control.
I seem to remember that it wasn't possible to turn the heater fan off completely, either - I think '1' was its lowest setting.
Chain drive, too.
I seem to remember that it wasn't possible to turn the heater fan off completely, either - I think '1' was its lowest setting.
Chain drive, too.
IroningMan said:
My 1992 SAAB 900 T16S had directional wheels, and the vacuum system - already mentioned - for the heating and ventilation also operated the cruise control.
I seem to remember that it wasn't possible to turn the heater fan off completely, either - I think '1' was its lowest setting.
Chain drive, too.
Oh I think the "climate control" system on the XJS might qualify for this. You control temperature and fan speed, and that's it. No AC on/off, no recirculate, no controlling which vents get air, nope.I seem to remember that it wasn't possible to turn the heater fan off completely, either - I think '1' was its lowest setting.
Chain drive, too.
It's also all vacuum driven so it makes noises like it's about to explode into springs at any moment. It's absolutely useless. You can pull the temperature knob to turn it to "manual", but not too hard because then the knob comes off in your hand.
Another charming feature is that the passenger side mirror folds up from the inside of the open glovebox lid, and gives the passenger a great view of their own chest.
Actually I could write an essay on "idiosyncratic" features of the XJS.
The Don of Croy said:
Opening quarterlight windows.
OK - most cars had them once, but they do give an aura...and perhaps a sign of more smokers being around back then.
On the MR2 there's a button to lock both doors - thus saving you leaning slightly to the left and easily reaching the passenger door. Ditto the electric window isolator switch - another button that sees little or no use whatsoever, but at least someone went to the trouble to design and implement it.
The first model Honda Jazz had the radio on/off/volume control on the right hand side of the unit - very convenient for the driver and negates the need for fiddly buttons on the steering wheel. Simple but very effective.
You do realise that those 'features' you listed are present on almost every car since 1990?OK - most cars had them once, but they do give an aura...and perhaps a sign of more smokers being around back then.
On the MR2 there's a button to lock both doors - thus saving you leaning slightly to the left and easily reaching the passenger door. Ditto the electric window isolator switch - another button that sees little or no use whatsoever, but at least someone went to the trouble to design and implement it.
The first model Honda Jazz had the radio on/off/volume control on the right hand side of the unit - very convenient for the driver and negates the need for fiddly buttons on the steering wheel. Simple but very effective.
Carfield said:
Mk 1 Golf had fresh air vents (earlier dashboard at least) - the dash vents were always cold, only the feet / screen outlets were connected to the heater.
It is a great feature and I remember it from my Mk 1 GTi - IIRC the Mk2 was the same? Fiat Unos also gave you cool face and warm feet.
You can unlock the OBC on the E36 BMWs and probably other older models as well which gives you more detailed info than just outside temp, MPG, range, etc. Eg. litres of fuel remaining in tank, current voltage and others I can't remember
You can also test all of the displays in a cool routine where all of the LEDs and dials run through a display cycle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWnXN2-2HSk
You can also test all of the displays in a cool routine where all of the LEDs and dials run through a display cycle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWnXN2-2HSk
E36 and E46 also have centre vents which provide air at the temperature you want by rotating a thumb wheel.
You can do this on the E60 as well but it involves faffing around with the i-drive, a step backwards in my opinion.
My E36 had a timer you could set to run the heater fan to ventilate the interior for when you returned.
You can do this on the E60 as well but it involves faffing around with the i-drive, a step backwards in my opinion.
My E36 had a timer you could set to run the heater fan to ventilate the interior for when you returned.
dme123 said:
Oh I think the "climate control" system on the XJS might qualify for this. You control temperature and fan speed, and that's it. No AC on/off, no recirculate, no controlling which vents get air, nope.
It's also all vacuum driven so it makes noises like it's about to explode into springs at any moment. It's absolutely useless. You can pull the temperature knob to turn it to "manual", but not too hard because then the knob comes off in your hand.
Another charming feature is that the passenger side mirror folds up from the inside of the open glovebox lid, and gives the passenger a great view of their own chest.
Actually I could write an essay on "idiosyncratic" features of the XJS.
'Air-cored instruments'.It's also all vacuum driven so it makes noises like it's about to explode into springs at any moment. It's absolutely useless. You can pull the temperature knob to turn it to "manual", but not too hard because then the knob comes off in your hand.
Another charming feature is that the passenger side mirror folds up from the inside of the open glovebox lid, and gives the passenger a great view of their own chest.
Actually I could write an essay on "idiosyncratic" features of the XJS.
TooMany2cvs said:
AmitG said:
Today's Renault Twingo has the same feature. You can carry objects 2.3m long in a car that is barely longer than that!
I've had quite a few 2.4m lengths of timber in a 205 - with the tailgate closed.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff