Colorized Mario's Tribute to 50 Strange and Clever Car Options My 99th Page!

azmusclecar on Aug 28, 2022 said:

Oh let me be THE FIRST to say, Mario you knocked this one OUT OF THE PARK. I never knew there was so many practical inventions to make driving safer and more dangerous. I love that coffee pot idea. That would be a challenge.

I'm reminded of a song, "Little things, mean a lot".

Lord have mercy, I like how you took the inventions from the early years to modern day.

Add this thread to your collection which should end up in the Car Lover's HALL OF FAME.

Mario on Aug 28, 2022 said:

Thank you Rob, you asked for this Thread and I'm happy to oblige. Glad you liked it.

The strangest option I see is the Roller to move Fallen Pedestrians off the street! What was it like living back then???

In any case I hope everyone enjoys how our Car Options have evolved in the last 100 years! Cheers, Mario.

Mario on Aug 28, 2022 said:

A big Thank You to our own American Torque Gear Head George for all the wonderful options on his 1957 Pontiac shown here! I think he has just about every option!

The rest of the strange and clever options speak for themselves!

Enjoy, Cheers! Mario.

azmusclecar on Aug 28, 2022 said:

Oh one question, that is not YOU in the #35 photo is it?.....

:-)

Mario on Aug 28, 2022 said:

Very Funny but no, like the caption says it's a Masked Dummy! Kind of looks like my Uncle Al though, now that you mention it! I wonder if it really works.

azmusclecar on Aug 28, 2022 said:

That set of Cadillac 6 shot glasses sure would upset the MADD crowd. Thats photo 12 if you are keeping score.

At least we have progressed in SOME areas.

Mario on Aug 28, 2022 said:

Hopefully the shot glasses are magnetic! Wouldn't want to spill any, then I would be MAD! .......Get it?

azmusclecar on Aug 28, 2022 said:

Hey Mario, was #10 ACTUAL AIR CONDITIONING or is that what they filled with ice and drove with the air pushing the cold air into the car?

I've seen them here in AZ on a Hudson where there was a wooden like woven fabric that would be soaked in cold water and then put into the tube.

They are called SWAMP COOLERS here where the air is too dry to try to draw moisture out of it, rather, water is used to add humidity to the dry air and then a fan is used to force the air over the wet fiber and it cools the hot dry air down a few degrees.

There is a test on this so I hope you are taking notes.

Mario on Aug 28, 2022 said:

Here's the write up on the AC unit called a Thermador Car Cooler:

The Thermador “car cooler” uses the evaporation of water to cool air, which is then blown in through the open passenger-side window. Though it’s the first item to actually lower the air temperature, it only works in areas with very low humidity—and, it looks like you have a vacuum cleaner strapped to the side of your car.

Mario on Aug 28, 2022 said:

Added 3rd Funny Video.

azmusclecar on Aug 29, 2022 said:

Mario, I sent some of these to my friends, well friends may not be the right word. They couldn't believe some of these inventions. So even the unaware are now aware of your expertise.

Sadly they said MARIO WHO?

I said Andretti.....just to end the questions.

Mario on Aug 29, 2022 said:

That's funny Rob. Mario Andretti was one of the best racers ever! So good answer to your friends.

This was actually my 99th Page on American Torque and I'm working on 100!

Stay tuned!

azmusclecar on Aug 29, 2022 said:

Wow that is quite an achievment.....so what's the hold up? Get posting.........

Mario on Aug 29, 2022 said:

It will be posted this week! I promise, I'm still working on it.

We also hit over 1,000 plays on the Hidden Gas Cap game this week! This has been a big week!

And you're finding a sweet 69 Camaro SS350 tops the cake! Good find, I really miss my Camaro. I even dream about it which is crazy I know but I have to face the facts. It was my first new car and one of the best I ever owned! Cheers.

azmusclecar on Aug 29, 2022 said:

I miss my 1969 Olds 442. Tried to find it but back in PA, cancer just ate those cars up. Verdo Green with Gold stripes with Gold cloth interior, bench seat, nice ol' HURST shifter sticking out the floor.

I even bought studded snow tires for it after an accident on ice. My friends used to ask me to light up the rear tires and the sparks from the studs would glow.

I was young and dumb back then. Somethings never change, except your age.

Mario on Aug 30, 2022 said:

Your 69 Olds 442 is a great classic car also. They were more expensive than the Camaros and Firebirds but quick on the track.

We had National Speedway out here on Long Island back then and I got to see all the Muscle cars fight it out.

As the mantra goes: Win on Sunday Sell on Monday!

azmusclecar on Aug 29, 2022 said:

I like that #51 added bonus. I never went camping as a kid. No one in my family went on vacation. That looks like an awesome time.

Mario on Aug 30, 2022 said:

You missed seeing my Page on the Kom-Pac Trailer I posted. Here it is:

http://www.americantorque.com/page/0/4012/

Mario on Aug 30, 2022 said:

This is my 99th Page on American Torque. I posted my first page 10 years ago in 2012. It has been a Labor of Love posting all these threads and I will be posting my 100th Page soon! Cheers, Mario

azmusclecar on Sep 1, 2022 said:

Drum roll please............

You can cut the tension with a knife.......

Like Chevy Chase out on the lawn with all his family, ready to plug the 30,000 Christmas Lights in.....

And of course Chevy's Father in Law says "HURRY UP CLARK, I'M FREEZING MY BAGGETS OFF!!!!!!!!!!!"

Mario on Sep 1, 2022 said:

I love those Chevy Chase movies. What a Funny guy he is and great movies.

Good things come to those who wait. My Dad used to tell me that. I'm still waiting! Cheers.

Mario on Sep 2, 2022 said:

OK Rob, my 100th Page is up. A little different than the others but you'll like it. Cheers, Mario

57timemachine on Sep 20, 2022 said:

Mario, thanks for sharing some of my factory and dealer accessories for my 57 Pontiac. I have always been an accessory hound and will be till I die. I look at most accessories offered by car companies as being real value to a car and owner. Sure some stuff was goofy but most it made total sense to me. Cheers.

Mario on Sep 20, 2022 said:

You're very welcome George! You have so many options on your 57 Pontiac I wanted to showcase them. Cheers!

Mario on Jan 13, 2024 said:

I added the Spinning Continental Kit video. Check it out, it's outrageous.

57timemachine on Jan 14, 2024 said:

Holy guacamole Mario, the check is in the mail. I was surprised to see all those 57 Pontiac accessories from my 57 Pontiac on here. The check is in the mail my old vintage American iron old car buddy. Cheers.

Mario on Jan 14, 2024 said:

Well thank you George. Your 57 Pontiac was a Huge contributor to this options page. Your car is loaded with so many options I didn't have to go far to find them. Cheers my friend, Mario

Mario on Apr 12, 2024 said:

I colorized the B/W pictures.

57timemachine on Apr 14, 2024 said:

Mario, that HOV lane dummy just made me burst at the seams with laughter. It is funny yet kind of sad that folks would stoop that low. Just goes to show that you never know. Cheers.

Mario on Apr 15, 2024 said:

I got a kick out of that HOV dummy too George! The crazy things people invent and do just to get around the law!