Re: just picked up a '51 ... lookin for tipz!!!!!

Posted by HH56 On 2010/2/14 10:39:56

Quote:
The 200 was a fairly stripped down model (by Packard standards) so lots of those items were standard equipment on the 300 and 400. No question there were some interesting ones--and some of dubious use--but was not exclusive to Packard. Gimmicks were the norm in the 50's.

IIRC, the rear window curtain was essentially a venetian blind slit type thing that was fixed over the inside of glass above the package shelf to keep the sun from shining in yet allow the driver to see thru with the rear view mirror. The windshield sun shade (not visor) was a strip of plastic that stuck to the inside top edge of windshield and darkened it slightly--like the solex glass does. Had one in the 51 I drove thru HS and never found it did much good. The car got just as hot and glared as much as ones without. Remember a friend with a Chevy also had something called a solar shield. That was a spring loaded thing on a roller that pulled down over the door windows like a pull down shade. A metal screen with the tiny slits you see now commonly used on buildings with direct facing windows. Allowed air thru when all you had was the 4-40 AC system but not practical or convenient when you stopped at the drive in for a coke and socializing after school. The traffic light viewer was another interesting one. A glass or plastic prism that attached to windshield area to allow you to look straight ahead and yet see the overhead traffic lights. Had one of those too --but no traffic lights in the town I was in so again, a gimmick. Some say those were more useful on cars with the outside visor you are looking for since you can't really look up to see a traffic light with one of those hanging above the windshield.

Another interesting 50's fad was the minute you bought the car, you installed cheezy nylon or other questionable seatcovers over the factory upholstery. Guess that was practical in families with messy children (as my brother and I were) so maybe not too impractical. Does account for lots of cars found with decent upholstery today, I guess.