Hooniverse Asks- What Future Automotive Technology From the Past Do You Lament Never Happening?

Robert Emslie

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gyro-x

From bubble canopies to joystick controls, the past was filled to the brim with promises of an amazing automotive future. Now that we’re here, in that future, I’m kind of bummed that so few of those awesome predictions have actually come to fruition. Perhaps they have, but like the long-promised 100-mpg carburetor or the water-powered car, they have been kept under wraps by an evil cabal of government and industry forces. 

I don’t know about you but for a good portion of my life I looked forward to the future with avid anticipation, heck, I even used  to subscribe to Popular Science magazine. Now that I’m far older, I look back with fondness for the naiveté of that earlier era and its unbridled expectation of days to come filled with amazing cars featuring mind-boggling conveniences and performance.

And of course some of those were realized, like in-car navigation and holders for our cups. But while today’s cars offer unparalleled levels of performance, economy, and safety, as well as features past future-seers couldn’t even envision, there’s still some of those whimsical and amazing ideas that never did bare fruit. Today, I want to know which of those are you most sad not to see cars possess. 

Image source: Hooniverse!

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Robert Emslie

Robert Emslie

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67 responses to “Hooniverse Asks- What Future Automotive Technology From the Past Do You Lament Never Happening?”

  1. OA5599 Avatar
    OA5599

    <img src="http://www.popularmechanics.com/cm/popularmechanics/images/Hm/leno-turbine-0411-md.jpg"&gt;
    Turbines.

    Reply
    1. JayP2112 Avatar
      JayP2112

      Beat me to it. I was lusting over the pics of the Rover BRM LeMans racer.
      <img src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01732/Rover-BRM-gas-turb_1732504c.jpg&quot; width="400">

      Reply
      1. Rover1 Avatar
        Rover1

        And the other Rover Turbines
        <img src="http://classiccarblog.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/rover-p4-series-6090110/rover-gas-turbine-car-jet-1.jpg"width="600"&gt;
        <img src="http://images.pistonheads.com/nimg/21417/tn_Rover%20BRM%20T4%201961-L.jpg"width="600&quot;
        <img src="http://www.kevinabbott.co.uk/Goodwood06/79%20-%20Rover%20T4%20Gas%20Turbine.JPG"width="600"&gt;
        but at least we got the P6 out of it…
        <img src="http://p6v8.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/bill_shaw_racing_restored01.jpg"width="600"&gt;
        and one,less modified..
        <img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/95/240944281_469484ace7.jpg"width="600"&gt;

        Reply
    2. jeepjeff Avatar
      jeepjeff

      <img src="http://i.imgur.com/Y1MS4Uw.jpg"&gt;
      My first thought too. The modern DIY versions aren't very streetable and are ridiculously expensive just to get the engine.

      Reply
      1. Irishzombieman☆ Avatar
        Irishzombieman☆

        Plus, they they do nasty things to the cars behind you in traffic.
        <img src="http://a2.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/136/782169396ae2428b8a7bdd128d206964/l.jpg&quot; width=400>

        Reply
        1. Dean Bigglesworth Avatar
          Dean Bigglesworth

          Is that a Suzuki Baleno? I'd say the looks have improved considerably.

          Reply
          1. dukeisduke Avatar
            dukeisduke

            Here it's called the Suzuki Esteem. Ironic.

          2. Irishzombieman☆ Avatar
            Irishzombieman☆

            I believe you are correct, though I thought it was an Subaru Impreza when I posted it.

          3. Dean Bigglesworth Avatar
            Dean Bigglesworth

            Yeah that was my first thought also from looking at the unburnt back end of the car. Aren't rusty hood "cool" right now though? If that was any other car you could sell the hood on eBay, I mean it is after all genuine fire rust and not something you archieved with sandpaper and yoghurt.

        2. jeepjeff Avatar
          jeepjeff

          That's a feature, not a bug. He shouldn't have been tailgating.

          Reply
      2. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        What a picture! In the ball-like Beetle this just looks like a …

        Reply
        1. Irishzombieman☆ Avatar
          Irishzombieman☆

          Like a what?

          Reply
          1. jeepjeff Avatar
            jeepjeff

            <img src="http://hooniverse.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/BigDicks.jpg&quot; width=500>

          2. ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq Avatar
            ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq

            Kilroy?

          3. Toxic Avenger Avatar
            Toxic Avenger

            Was here.

    3. MVEilenstein Avatar
      MVEilenstein

      Ford gave it a try in 1964.
      <img src="http://www.tonkagasturbine.com/Ford_Gas_Turbine_1964.jpg"&gt;

      Reply
    4. Kogashiwa Avatar
      Kogashiwa

      Yes, and with serial hybrids now they could be a much better option than a reciprocating engine. They burn just about anything and don't take up much room. You could also use the exhaust to generate electricity as well, making it even more efficient. And the fact that turbines only really like one speed wouldn't be a disadvantage.
      <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/09/30/article-1316273-0B64F5DC000005DC-112_964x698.jpg&quot; width="600">

      Reply
      1. RegalRegalia Avatar
        RegalRegalia

        This needs to happen.

        Reply
  2. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    Nuclear Reactors!
    <img src="http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/ford-nucleon.jpg"width=500&gt;

    Reply
  3. Irishzombieman☆ Avatar
    Irishzombieman☆

    The cup holders of my youth. I thought they were the neatest thing ever.
    <img src="http://i1.squidoocdn.com/resize/squidoo_images/250/draft_lens18420332module152795888photo_1314610522large-cup-holder.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
    1. P161911 Avatar
      P161911

      So much better than the glove box door cup holders GM tried to pass off in the 1970s and 1980s. Those thing MIGHT work at a drive-in, that's about it.
      <img src="http://www.oldsobsolete.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/DSCN0030.jpg"width=400&gt;

      Reply
      1. Irishzombieman☆ Avatar
        Irishzombieman☆

        My old Wagoneer had those. They worked great. If you weren't moving. And were parked on a level surface.

        Reply
      2. JayP2112 Avatar
        JayP2112

        Looks like a late-model Dodge Challenger radiator cover.
        Open the hood and take a look when you can.

        Reply
        1. TurboBrick Avatar
          TurboBrick

          You know the car is going to be trouble when the engineers put cupholders in the engine bay.

          Reply
          1. JayP2112 Avatar
            JayP2112

            I wish mine had them… I'm usually livin' the High Life when I'm changing oil or cleaning the engine. I may start looking for the doorhanger version to put under hood.

          2. Toxic Avenger Avatar
            Toxic Avenger

            Mr. Miller and I have worked together on most of my projects.

      3. RegalRegalia Avatar
        RegalRegalia

        1993 Buick, still had em.

        Reply
    2. Devin Avatar
      Devin

      I used to have one of those, it was always slightly too small and flimsy for a 600ml bottle. As a result, my cupholder was shoving said bottles between the ebrake and the passenger seat, a somewhat less than elegant solution.

      Reply
      1. Irishzombieman☆ Avatar
        Irishzombieman☆

        Exactly my solution in my Geo Metro.

        Reply
      2. MVEilenstein Avatar
        MVEilenstein

        The gap between the driver's door and the seat, near the seat belt anchor, is the perfect place for a 20 oz. bottle in a 1986 Mazda 626. Best cup holder I've ever used.

        Reply
  4. TurboBrick Avatar
    TurboBrick

    SVC – Saab Variable Compression engine:
    <img src="http://us1.webpublications.com.au/static/images/articles/i522/52244_00mg.jpg"&gt;
    Goes from 14:1 compression under light load to 8:1 under heavy load to allow for maximum boost pressure without pinging.

    Reply
    1. smokyburnout Avatar
      smokyburnout

      Two-stroke, but Lotus came up with a potentially simpler solution
      [youtube fIG9pWldO8U http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIG9pWldO8U youtube]

      Reply
      1. TurboBrick Avatar
        TurboBrick

        Nice. Moving the top of the combustion chamber up and down is easier than pivoting the whole head.

        Reply
  5. lilwillie Avatar
    lilwillie

    Flying cars. The general population can barely drive a car, let alone do proper maintenance. The last thing we need is the same person flying a car that hasn't had its annuals.

    Reply
    1. Dean Bigglesworth Avatar
      Dean Bigglesworth

      Aw come on, what could possibly go wrong?
      <img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VV1XRycFkVk/TaTMZgQCfjI/AAAAAAAAFS0/uQTCq5hSJ_g/s1600/car%2Bin%2Btree.jpg&quot; width="600" </img> <a href="http://jhalfie.blogspot.dk/2011/04/warwickshire-where-cars-grow-on-trees.html” target=”_blank”>http://jhalfie.blogspot.dk/2011/04/warwickshire-where-cars-grow-on-trees.html

      Reply
      1. Number_Six Avatar
        Number_Six

        It's interesting how European and North American robins are completely unrelated and yet they are equally territorial.

        Reply
        1. ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq Avatar
          ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq

          Ha hahhahaha! #6 if we ever meet in real world, beer's on me!

          Reply
        2. Dean Bigglesworth Avatar
          Dean Bigglesworth

          European Robins are quite a bit faster, though.
          [youtube pJdrlWR-yFM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJdrlWR-yFM youtube]
          Also a lot more explodey.

          Reply
    2. TurboBrick Avatar
      TurboBrick

      It's hard enough to avoid all the suicide candidates out there in two dimensional axis', I don't want to have to be worried about them coming at me from above and below.

      Reply
  6. Dean Bigglesworth Avatar
    Dean Bigglesworth

    <img src="http://images.whatheck.com/uploaded_images/jetsons-car-hybrid-sound-ringtone-763628-763656.jpg&quot; width="600" </img>

    Reply
    1. Kris_01 Avatar
      Kris_01

      Hah, plus 1 to you. This is the future -where's my goddamn flying car?

      Reply
    2. Mike England Avatar
      Mike England

      There ya go. That's what I'm upset about. Why the hell don't we have flying cars today?

      Reply
  7. Number_Six Avatar
    Number_Six

    Wedginous designs. I was convinced that between the Stratos Zero, Lotus Etna, and Aston Martin Bulldog, we'd all be driving doorstops by now. The default reclined driving position would have the side benefit that we wouldn't notice those dickheads driving around with the seat way back like a faux gangsta. I wonder if they'd drive all crammed up at the wheel instead…
    <img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KARBnpf_Krw/Sc0crBiq-FI/AAAAAAAABAQ/-wlfFqhkMos/s400/aston_martin_bulldog_1_802.jpg&quot; />

    Reply
  8. Devin Avatar
    Devin

    The all in one hand control is something that has seemed interesting, but nobody has ever done it.
    <img src="http://www.carstyling.ru/resources/concept/1958_GM_Firebird-III_details_03.jpg&quot; width="500">

    Reply
    1. Dean Bigglesworth Avatar
      Dean Bigglesworth

      Not on pruductions cars, but there are aftermarket solutions.
      <img src="http://www.guidosimplex.it/prodotti/big/DGS01.jpg&quot; </img> <a href="http://www.guidosimplex.it/prodotti_dettaglio.asp?iddispo=DGS01&tipo=guida&categoria=Tetraplegia” target=”_blank”>http://www.guidosimplex.it/prodotti_dettaglio.asp?iddispo=DGS01&tipo=guida&categoria=Tetraplegia

      Reply
    2. JayP2112 Avatar
      JayP2112

      With a generation using dualshock PS3 controllers drive GT5 cars, we may have joystick controllers yet.
      Make mine Atari.

      Reply
  9. Alff Avatar
    Alff

    Cars that run on water. If only the automakers and oil companies hadn't conspired to quash the technology.
    …anyone seen my foil beanie?

    Reply
    1. Irishzombieman☆ Avatar
      Irishzombieman☆

      You left it in your underground bunker.

      Reply
    2. RegalRegalia Avatar
      RegalRegalia

      They produce water and run on Hydrogen-that quashing is ongoing it seems.

      Reply
  10. BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ Avatar
    BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ

    I would like to see it catch on but I'll doubt it.
    <img src="http://www.modasemfrescura.com/galerias/carver-one/carver_one_3.jpg&quot; width="600">

    Reply
    1. Van_Sarockin Avatar
      Van_Sarockin

      You could buy a caged BMW bike. At least in Germany…

      Reply
      1. Ruckus Avatar
        Ruckus

        i am in Germany, they look absolutely stupid

        Reply
  11. ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq Avatar
    ˏ♂ˊ mzs zsm msz esq

    I was hopeful for 2-strokes to make a resurgence, like with computers and chemistry they could be made efficient and clean, but it looks like we will have electric cars instead, which isn't bad but that's happening faster than I expected.

    Reply
  12. marmer01 Avatar
    marmer01

    Some kind of efficient, clean, non-smelly toilet solution. What's the worst part of most road trips? (I admit, that is a very, very dangerous question to ask a bunch of Hoons.)

    Reply
    1. Devin Avatar
      Devin

      You mean you don't like stopping at a truck stop and discovering mysterious blood in all of the stalls?*
      *True story.

      Reply
      1. Irishzombieman☆ Avatar
        Irishzombieman☆

        Oooooh. . . Stalls. On first read, I saw "stools."
        The correct reading ain't much better, though.

        Reply
        1. Devin Avatar
          Devin

          The initial reading is also something you might find in a truck stop bathroom. Not necessarily in the toilet either.
          I am so glad I don't work in a truck stop. Or really anywhere with public toilets.

          Reply
    2. Toxic Avenger Avatar
      Toxic Avenger

      Buy a conversion van or small motor home and carry a clean toilet wherever you travel.

      Reply
  13. BlackIce_GTS Avatar
    BlackIce_GTS

    I think (hope) this is a reasonable expectation for the future, but it seems like I've been waiting on camless valve actuation for as long as I've know what cams were.
    Here's a Bond villain talking about his project car:
    [youtube Bch5B23_pu0&list=PLHa6PXrV-yIgnXSYFT07BouKhEhyFuWnf&index=3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bch5B23_pu0&list=PLHa6PXrV-yIgnXSYFT07BouKhEhyFuWnf&index=3 youtube]
    (I used to call it 'solenoid valve', but this seems to be some kind of hydraulic system)

    Reply
  14. Patrick Avatar
    Patrick

    <img src="http://manonthemove.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/bertone-x19.jpg"&gt;
    Affordable mid-engined speedsters. Low polar moment of inertia for the proletariat.

    Reply
  15. marmer01 Avatar
    marmer01

    Hydrogen as a fuel. Blah blah, too expensive, blah blah, inefficient, blah blah, infrastructure, blah blah, rubber seals. When the oil finally runs out or the world gets tired of burning carbon, that's what will keep the ICE alive.

    Reply
    1. RegalRegalia Avatar
      RegalRegalia

      Preach it.

      Reply
  16. mac350 Avatar
    mac350

    What happened to "A Cyclops in every garage."?
    <img src="http://sbiii.com/autopix/cyclops/smorigcx.jpg&quot; width="600"> <a href="http://sbiii.com” target=”_blank”>http://sbiii.com

    Reply
  17. Ate Up With Motor Avatar
    Ate Up With Motor

    Headlights that move with the steering wheel.

    Reply
  18. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    Why would I want my headlights to spin around?

    Reply
    1. RahRahRecords Avatar
      RahRahRecords

      it'd be a good option on a clown car

      Reply
  19. Janine Avatar
    Janine

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    Reply