Tartan Travel Rugs and other Nostalgic Motoring Accessories

[NewcastleFalcon]

Anyone remember the demister panel?



Even the police used them!



Regards Neil

[Stickyfinger]

Yes...it worked very well, then it went yellow during the first summer

[CitroJim]

Yes...it worked very well, then it went yellow during the first summer

I only ever remember them being yellow!!!

[Stickyfinger]

then they were 6 months old minimum

1st one I did was a stick on element type on my Austin Cambridge A60

[BenC5HDi]

I use a similar, smaller device even now on my motorbike helmet. I've had it for years, just need another motorbike to go with it..

[CitroJim]

Does anyone remember those little windscreen demister/deicers popular in the 60s and interned for cars without heaters. In the dead of winter it would keep a little slot-like area of the windscreen clear of ice - just enough to see where you were going...

If I remember correctly, they were made of brown bakelite and stuck on the inside of the windscreen with a couple of rubber suckers...

I've had a look for images but can't find any. I bet you can Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

I've had a look for images but can't find any. I bet you can Neil

Not come across one yet....but on my travels, from the days when heaters were very much add-on accessories for the masses, this was a simple and ingenious device,

If Mr or Mrs Motorist had a smaller car, where under-dash space was at a premium, then some of the larger heater units discussed above might not have been an option. However not all hope was lost, as the "Heat-A-Car" unit was a very different design to the norm. Instead of a bulky heater radiator and motor unit hung beneath the dash, this alternative featured a 24" tube, with a clamp at one end that fitted to the car's steering column, and a bracket at the other that screwed to the facia. No motor was involved, you simply plumbed it into the car's cooling system and it enabled hot water to flow along the tube, radiating heat as it did so. Handy for drying damp gloves on too I imagine, although doing so would soon steam the windows up.....

Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

....Smiths demister top right close?



Regards Neil

[NewcastleFalcon]

Now this little device may be more 1950's, but it does appear to attach to the windscreen with "suckers".



Regards Neil

[white exec]

"Houdaille Hydraulic Suspension" - You've opened a pandora's box there, Neil !!!
My first car, a 1935 Rover 10, had rotary-arm shock absorbers, oil-filled. Luvax brand, they were stiffness-adjustable.

[NewcastleFalcon]

"Houdaille Hydraulic Suspension" - You've opened a pandora's box there, Neil !!!
My first car, a 1935 Rover 10, had rotary-arm shock absorbers, oil-filled. Luvax brand, they were stiffness-adjustable.

Only attention.... "Castor Oil every 4,000 Miles"



Regards Neil

[CitroJim]

Neil, this topic just gets more and more fascinating and enjoyable

[Stickyfinger]

My Healey has a version of the (top right) Smiths heater....its totally crap !

[bobins]

My Land Rover allegedly has a heater, although I'd regard it more as a tepid-er, to call it a heater is overselling it a bit

[NewcastleFalcon]

Houdaille's other products was the Electric Windscreen Wiper, at one time also an "accessory".



Regards Neil