These American Cars Had Some of the Strangest Factory Options Ever Made
Over the years, automakers have provided some genuinely unique factory choices, such as retractable doors and fold-out picnic tables. Continue reading to discover 15 characteristics that demonstrate that strangeness can be incredibly memorable when it comes to car design.
2nd Class Mini Convertible Openometer
Mini's "Openometer" measured the amount of time you spent driving with the top down since, presumably, open-air mileage counts. Although it gamified sunshine, this dashboard timer had no effect on performance or resale value.
Optional Trunk Scooter In The Honda City
In the trunk of Honda's City Turbo II was a foldable Motocompo scooter. It was a factory option that converted your car into a two-vehicle combo and was intended for last-mile urban transport. Useful? Perhaps. Funnily strange? Absolutely!
’90s Cadillac Fleetwood With a 7000lb Towing Capacity
It’s uncommon for luxury and physical prowess to coexist, but the 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood succeeded with this. This luxurious cruiser could tow 7,000 pounds with factory towing equipment, which is more than some pickups can achieve!
AE86 Toyota Corolla Had A Support Hand Pump And an Air Bladder
The AE86 from Toyota included a manual hand pump for lumbar support inflation in the driver's seat. Like altering a camping mattress in the middle of a drive, it felt strangely pleasant! Ideal for the hands-on enthusiast, this analog comfort system gave ergonomics a do-it-yourself twist.
The Citroen XM Liftback Had Two Rear Windows
The Citroën XM had a split rear window system, with one glass opening with the hatch and the other remaining clean and sealed. Although it was a smart way to maintain an excellent back view, it was also baffling for anyone who wasn't familiar with it.
Mercedes S Class Active Seat Bolstering
During tight corners, Mercedes' dynamic bolsters in the S-Class cuddled you closer and gently inflated to keep you balanced. This was an oddly personal luxury feature, as if your automobile could sense when you were going to lean too far.
’70s Big Body GM Wagons Had A ‘Clamshell’ Tailgate
In the 1970s, GM's full-size wagons had a window that tucked into the roof and a tailgate that dropped under the floor. Despite its futuristic appearance, this "clamshell" design was intricately mechanical. It made every trip to the shop feel theatrical and made loading goods into a small show.
Active Seat Bolstering In E60 BMW M5s
The seats in the E60 M5 did more than just support you; they also predicted your next move. They changed mid-turn to keep you snug with active boosting. It was sixth-sense performance seating that made passionate driving seem completely normal.
Retracting BMW Z1’s Doors
The doors of BMW's Z1 did not swing out; rather, they sank into the sills. It looked like a magic trick each time you walked in or out. It wasn't the most useful, but it was definitely cool - like your automobile was flaunting itself a little.
The Lexus 97 LS500 Has 2 Free First Aid Kits
As luxury entails being prepared for anything, Lexus included not one, but two first aid kits in the LS500. This considerate gesture was subtly comforting, regardless of whether you had a scraped knee or required a bandage for your pride!
Toyota 4Runner’s ‘Party Mode’
A "Party Mode" button on the Toyota 4Runner rebalanced the audio to blast music from the rear speakers. This setup transformed your SUV into a mobile DJ booth for tailgating, beach days, or driveway dance-offs. As you might expect, this feature has become a favourite among owners.
Lada Niva’s Built-In Snowplow
In Soviet Russia, your car plowed the roads, thus you could get the tough Lada Niva with a factory snowplow. It was efficient, even though it lacked elegance, and the Niva felt more like a tool than a toy, thanks to this genuine, practical alternative.
Honda CR-V’s Very Own Picnic Table
A fold-out picnic table was concealed in the cargo floor of early Honda CR-Vs. It was ideal for roadside tea breaks or spontaneous lunches. This upbeat characteristic gave the CR-V the sensation of a traveling friend, always willing to transform mundane tasks into little excursions!
Bentley Bentayga Can Come With A $150,000 Breitling Clock
Bentley sold a Breitling clock on the dashboard, which was more expensive than most other cars. It was a statement item for people who measure time in style, handcrafted and technically excellent. It told the world that you could afford to be ridiculously flashy!
Installed Indicators On Modern Audis
Like a runway light show, Audi's dynamic turn signals flow over the taillight. Yes, it's technically helpful, but mostly a visual flex if we’re being honest. This feature encourages you to indicate even when it's not necessary.
