Don'tcha' wish they'd just STOP 'Improving' things?

[Dftodd]

The cowl vents I recall were opened by pushing a lever???? My Dad had an old Star automobile that had a windshield that cranked out at the bottom...it was the AC of the 1920's. He said he was tooling along one day on a farm road, and encountered a swarm of honey bees...and they filled up the interior of the little coupe. I guess it was hectic for a little while.

I had one fly down my shirt years ago. Had the windows down and sitting just so, with my arm resting on the side of the door,, so the wind would catch my shirt sleeve just right and flow through my shirt.

Felt something bounce off my arm, but didn't think too much about it until something stabbed me in the side of my belly Got stung two more times before I got pulled to the side of the road.

I bet I was a sight to the passing traffic. I bailed out of the truck, ripped my shirt off, spinning around in a circle, swatting my side with the shirt looking for the bee

They probably thought I was a punk kid, wigging out on the drugs

 

[Jstpssng]

I remember the ones in the footwells that opened a path from the fenders behind the front tires. And the side tilt windows.

Yes, both of those were also handy. Now the only thing we can do is turn on the AC...
I'm not sure whether the aerodynamic design of today's cars make them noisier, or if I've just gotten accustomed to not having all of that road noise.
It's also possible that back then my stereo was so loud that I just didn't notice it...

 

[ovrszd]

I don't recall a specific name for the fold out vents by the feet.

The tilt windows as DI called them, I know as "wing windows".

 

[ovrszd]

Forgot to mention, yes all of the Cowl Vents I ever saw were opened with a handle under the center of the dash.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I had one fly down my shirt years ago. Had the windows down and sitting just so, with my arm resting on the side of the door,, so the wind would catch my shirt sleeve just right and flow through my shirt.

Felt something bounce off my arm, but didn't think too much about it until something stabbed me in the side of my belly Got stung two more times before I got pulled to the side of the road.

I bet I was a sight to the passing traffic. I bailed out of the truck, ripped my shirt off, spinning around in a circle, swatting my side with the shirt looking for the bee

They probably thought I was a punk kid, wigging out on the drugs

Man, I know exactly what you went through...went through the exact thing...I was driving my 55 chevy down a country road, when the thing hit me in the back. I skidded to a stop, jumped out, danced around, pulled my shirt off, found the varmint and stepped on it. About that time, a farmer on a tractor was coming down the fence line, and he shouted: "Did you get it?" I had to grin, and say "Yeah!".

 

[Dftodd]

Yes, both of those were also handy. Now the only thing we can do is turn on the AC...
I'm not sure whether the aerodynamic design of today's cars make them noisier, or if I've just gotten accustomed to not having all of that road noise.
It's also possible that back then my stereo was so loud that I just didn't notice it...

I've encountered a couple different claims over the years. The first was Fords new (Quiet Steel) on the trucks back in 04. And Buick is now making a similar claim with my wifes new car.

I call BS. My ford F150 had a muffler the size of my Chargriller smoker with the side box. That baby was loud as the dickens when a piece of rebar got kicked through the muffler and ripped a hole in it on the interstate.

I'm betting the Buick has a similar muffler attached to the turbo charged gerbil in the engine compartment.

 

[bigtiller]

I don't recall a specific name for the fold out vents by the feet.

The tilt windows as DI called them, I know as "wing windows".

We called them wing windows also.

Smokers loved them. They could "crack the wing open" and all the smoke would get sucked out.

 

[Diggin It]

While driving down the road going home from work one day, my serpetine belt decided to let go and 'improve' the AC system circulation by releasing the spring loaded idler pulley which sliced a nice gouge in one of the gas lines and evacuating all the coolant in a nice cloud. I was able to limp the car home where I could replace the belt in my driveway instead of along side the road. That was close to 15 years ago and I've never had the AC system repaired and recharged. For as little as I drive, 4/55 air works just fine.

 

[Jstpssng]

Forgot to mention, yes all of the Cowl Vents I ever saw were opened with a handle under the center of the dash.

Now you have me wondering what the crank on the dash was for. Looking at the pictures I took before they took the KB5, it doesn't appear that it does have the cowl vent. Could it be that either or both trucks also had crankout windows?

We called them wing windows also.

Smokers loved them. They could "crack the wing open" and all the smoke would get sucked out.

Actually, it was the passengers who loved that... along with the fact that we were travelling with considerate smokers.

 

[oosik]

Long ago - riding my motorcycle. Had a bee fly up the sleeve of my jacket. Try this - slow the motorcycle down - whack the arm where the bee is stinging you - try to maintain some degree of control over the motorcycle. Learned quickly - clamp the cuff of your jacket down tight and pull your gloves up over the jacket cuff.

Fortunately - no traffic - I only got stung twice - able to stop the cycle and not end up in the ditch.

I've had bugs fly into my open face helmet also. When I bought the 2018 BMW - bought a full face helmet.

Now, this is what I call "improving" things.