There are so many things we used to have that I still miss, like curb feelers. They were the neatest things to have and always told you when you were close to the curb so you wouldn't run into it with your tires.

Maybe because we no longer have those cool-looking whitewall tires, manufacturers decided that we didn't need them anymore. Now we get to run into and sometimes even over the curb when we are trying to back up into a parking space.

Now bucket seats are comfortable, but sometimes I miss having a full front seat to put stuff on. With a front seat being just one piece, you could sit right next to your date if you wanted to. Snuggling together on the front seat at the drive-in movies was the only way to watch the show. Now I'm sure that some of you would say, "But the back seat was the place to be." Maybe that's why some people called them "The Passion Pit."

I also loved having a spotlight on my car next to the driver's side. It made it so easy to find places at night and flashlights just don't have the same light coverage. They also let you participate in games at the drive-in movies during intermission, when you could play "spotlight tag" on the screen.

Headlight dimmers on the floorboard were easy to find with your foot and you didn't have to take your eyes off the road. I wonder who decided that they should be discontinued. Many of us seniors have stated that we liked the high/low button on the floorboard better.

Speaking of headlights, remember when you just had to buy a bulb to replace a headlight or taillight on your car? Now days, you have to buy a whole new light unit for mega bucks and usually need to pay a mechanic to install it for you.


What about those pieces of concrete that are used to stop your tires at most parking places? I don't know about your car, but mine hangs up on them if I pull in too far. Then I get to hear that awful metal scrapping on something hard sound when I back up. They should be lower or the car made higher to avoid that front end damage.

I wonder who decided to make some speed bumps so high that you have to almost stop your car to get over them. Then, if you have to back up over one, you really need to push hard on your gas pedal to get the power do that. I don't think that any of them need to be higher than a curb to do their job.

Remember when gas stations were really service stations? You could get someone to put the gas in your car, check the water, oil and air pressure in your tires as well as clean all your windows. Wow, how I miss that service. They could also sell you tires, batteries, windshield wipers and other things as well as install them. You could even get an oil change and a lube job while you were there if you needed one.

They also had free maps and could give you instructions on how to get to somewhere from their station. Directing you to a good restaurant or a nice place to spend the evening was just another one of their free services. All of this happened when you drove over a black cord that went "ding, ding" and a uniformed man or two came rushing out to help you.

Yes, I miss a lot of things we used to have and I bet you do too.

Contact Carol Olson at
