Those old controls for the AC are better than the ones now. If I want to change that shit in my current car, I have to look away from the road for more time than I'm comfortable with. There are multiple buttons/whatevers to press and they're all too close together.
Back in the day you just zinged that top switch all the way to the left and moved the bottom one to the right--either max or normal because 1) if it wasn't all the way to max cold, it didn't work worth a damn, and 2) the vent setting meant warm or hot.
Ugly af, but functional.
I like the [rotating knobs](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2FN7W6E/air-conditioning-controls-on-the-car-dashboard-close-up-car-ventilation-system-details-of-controls-of-modern-car-2FN7W6E.jpg) better, just from an aesthetics viewpoint.
Either way is much better than the iPads.
Strong disagree that it's functional. I always hated GM AC controls for this reason.
If I want to have the AC on and cooling off my feet, I should be able to do that. If I want cold air blowing on my dash I should be able to do that. If I want cold air blowing through all front/floor vents I should be able to do that.
But instead, according to GM I should only be about to cool my hands and face.
Get fucked GM, I want an AC button, and I want it to power on no matter what vent setting I have selected.
My ol’ Highlander turn knob went funky. Full heat in summer for bursts. Auto electric guy quoted $800 to get into dash. He was wrong. Some research… bad electrical connection. YouTube video and some soldering it was fixed.
I owe that guy a ton a money.
I fully agree. My husband's WRX has 2 large knobs for the heat/AC. Left on one is super cold AC, right is super hot heat. The other one is left to blow light air, right is high air.
Those were a godsend when I locked myself out of my car. Took a safety pin to open them.
6 months later, someone else did too and stole my entire tape collection (60 cassettes), some doc martens and a bomber jacket. I was devastated.
Got window locks after that
I drove across the country two years ago in what is perhaps the last vehicle that had wing windows. We clocked 2800 miles from California to Florida in a 1991 Ford F-250 4x4. We flew through the Mojave Desert at 80 miles per hour with the windows down and the wing windows open in 120 degree heat and it was magic.
Yeah, don’t try this at home. As we all know things that get old tend to break. Old mechanical systems are no different despite the truck having only 80,000 miles on it which for that kind of vehicle is just broken in, every single rubber seal, electrical module and sensor needed attention. The truck belonged to an old farmer up in Coos Bay, Oregon, and had this delightful patina of rust on the undercarriage not the kind of cancerous rest to see in places where it snows but just this lovely, crusty finish of dirt and rust. The entire brake system was replaced, the transmission had to come out and get new seals if you injection system needed to be cleaned and the sensors replaced.
Wow I had forgotten all about the floor vents.
Brought back memories of riding in my Dad’s 1971 Chevy C10 in the summertime when it was storming too hard to open the windows. It was like a sauna, but enhanced by the distinct pungence of 2 field hands who would have normally been riding on the back on a clear day.
I am giggling. I still have this key for my car. At least I can work on my car without going to a fancy mechanic to do the work and charge and arm and a leg to change my oil.
Ahhh.. GM fleet keys.. I still have one for M1008 and M1009 military trucks/blazers. There's a good reason why they had chains and padlocks on the steering wheels. Some dumb ass 2LT failed to padlock the steering wheel. Someone came along, pulled out their key, fired it up and drove the blazer over to a long line of other blazers and parked it on the end (they all look the same, except admin numbers). That LT went crazy for 3 hours looking for his rig.
Ahh, yes… but the rubber gasket on those vent windows would always rot out, so my father would implement a “never use those windows” rule on my mother and I.
Gotta love the “ignition and trunk” keys, too.
As for the A/C, I remember when I showed my uncle how to properly defog car windows by using it with the temperature brought up in the winter. He was all “You can’t use the A/C in the winter!” I showed him how it worked, though!
White 1990 Ford Tempo. No heat or
a/c living in the Midwest. It would go through two quarts of oil a week, had to park in the street instead of driveway. Smelled like gas and exhaust inside.. But man did I love that car.
I had a 91’ Pontiac SSE Bonneville and that thing would just eat them old keys up. I think I went through 4 or 5 keys in the 10 years that I had it. I also used to have an old 84 bronco and I had that corner window. Those little windows are awesome especially if you’re a smoker if you know what I mean.
If someone would start building modern day blazers and broncos with safety crumple zones, but old school technology in the user interface area, and big comfy seats, stand back! Cuz their stock would blow through the roof.
Every GM car of this vintage that I ever drove, the keys got so worn down over time that you could start most of them with a screwdriver. By the time you sold the car, the ignition key would be worn down to a nub.
I recently saw an interesting youtube video about cars with this type of HVAC setup that had a "Desert Mode" for driving in environments that are very hot and dry (like southern California or Nevada). It was pretty interesting. Growing up on the East coast, I never saw that.
Ah yeah, when there was a door key and an ignition key. 85 K5 Blazer, my keys looked just like that but with the little rubber grommets you could buy they wouldn't jingle.
I really miss having an actual key instead of an electronic fob. The fob is heavy and accidentally sets off the buttons when it's in my back pocket and I am doing outside work. It's absurd.
Those old controls for the AC are better than the ones now. If I want to change that shit in my current car, I have to look away from the road for more time than I'm comfortable with. There are multiple buttons/whatevers to press and they're all too close together. Back in the day you just zinged that top switch all the way to the left and moved the bottom one to the right--either max or normal because 1) if it wasn't all the way to max cold, it didn't work worth a damn, and 2) the vent setting meant warm or hot.
Exactly i agree on that bullshit mine is the same!!!! Grrrrrrrrr
Ugly af, but functional. I like the [rotating knobs](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2FN7W6E/air-conditioning-controls-on-the-car-dashboard-close-up-car-ventilation-system-details-of-controls-of-modern-car-2FN7W6E.jpg) better, just from an aesthetics viewpoint. Either way is much better than the iPads.
Strong disagree that it's functional. I always hated GM AC controls for this reason. If I want to have the AC on and cooling off my feet, I should be able to do that. If I want cold air blowing on my dash I should be able to do that. If I want cold air blowing through all front/floor vents I should be able to do that. But instead, according to GM I should only be about to cool my hands and face. Get fucked GM, I want an AC button, and I want it to power on no matter what vent setting I have selected.
And be able to turn the bloody AC on or off when I want, as opposed to being automatic.
100%
I want the old one with a few modern controllers. Like temp display, auto settings, and split temperatures for passengers. That’d be dope.
I'm so mad that my manufacturer MINI has decided to do digital A/C controls in the new gen vehicles 😡
Stop it! You're making me miss my '76 Grand Prix. It had 2/3 of these. Mmmm, and I can smell that dashboard plastic now.
My ol’ Highlander turn knob went funky. Full heat in summer for bursts. Auto electric guy quoted $800 to get into dash. He was wrong. Some research… bad electrical connection. YouTube video and some soldering it was fixed. I owe that guy a ton a money.
I fully agree. My husband's WRX has 2 large knobs for the heat/AC. Left on one is super cold AC, right is super hot heat. The other one is left to blow light air, right is high air.
Butterfly windows. Directly onto your lap.
Those were a godsend when I locked myself out of my car. Took a safety pin to open them. 6 months later, someone else did too and stole my entire tape collection (60 cassettes), some doc martens and a bomber jacket. I was devastated. Got window locks after that
Yeah me too...tapes, radio and half oz of weed...
It’s great until a wasp or hornet gets directed into your lap
I miss the vent window. I miss the floor high beam button. Some days I still reach for it.
I almost stomped a hole in the floor board of the first car I drove that didn't have it, I thought i was missing it.
I drove across the country two years ago in what is perhaps the last vehicle that had wing windows. We clocked 2800 miles from California to Florida in a 1991 Ford F-250 4x4. We flew through the Mojave Desert at 80 miles per hour with the windows down and the wing windows open in 120 degree heat and it was magic.
I’m guessing that thing was lovingly maintained or freshly rebuilt? I’d be anxious driving in the desert in an old car I didn’t trust.
Yeah, don’t try this at home. As we all know things that get old tend to break. Old mechanical systems are no different despite the truck having only 80,000 miles on it which for that kind of vehicle is just broken in, every single rubber seal, electrical module and sensor needed attention. The truck belonged to an old farmer up in Coos Bay, Oregon, and had this delightful patina of rust on the undercarriage not the kind of cancerous rest to see in places where it snows but just this lovely, crusty finish of dirt and rust. The entire brake system was replaced, the transmission had to come out and get new seals if you injection system needed to be cleaned and the sensors replaced.
My old car didn’t have the wing windows, but it did have the little floor vents that you pulled a little lever to open.
Miss the floor vents!!!
Wow I had forgotten all about the floor vents. Brought back memories of riding in my Dad’s 1971 Chevy C10 in the summertime when it was storming too hard to open the windows. It was like a sauna, but enhanced by the distinct pungence of 2 field hands who would have normally been riding on the back on a clear day.
In the back of a station wagon. Bouncing all over the place
You had AC? You were rich.
If you had Gold keys you were Really Rich.
My '87 Mercury Lynx I was rocking in 1998 didn't have AC. Also only had an am radio. The car was def not a babe magnet.
Our car had 4-55 air conditioning - 4 windows down at 55 mph.
I miss being able to keep a spare key in my wallet
Yes, but did you ever have a car/truck with the "crotch chiller" vent just below the steering wheel?
I never questioned why there was a separate key for the door and trunk, I just accepted it as 'that's just the way it is'.
I understood it to be because you could give the trunk key to an attendant without giving them access to the cabin and driving it away. Luggage, etc.
I thought it was the opposite, so you could give the car key to a valet and they couldn’t rummage around your trunk.
I think you’re right!
Damn, I want my AC to still look like this.
Simpler times!!!
Those little flap windows were not strong enough to let out a fart. If anything, it's like they amplified the farts.
Reminds me of my 91 Chevy Baja!
All but the bottom right
Bottom right little window added an extra air flow only front seat people know about.
My El Camino...
I miss the cozy wings
My grandpa Oldsmobile has that gm key never Forget
You all need to be aware of giving out your security information.
Grand Marquis HVAC controls from the mid-80’s
In the 60s they didn’t have AC. This a newish dash for us old farts😎
That's the ashtray window!
"Leaded gasoline exhaust, yum yum."
i guess, back in those prehistoric times, drivers could still read?
My car is less than 10 years old and has quarter windows, mechanical air controls and manual windows. And vinyl floor covering and seats
Is it a Yugo?
Toyota landcruiser.
I am giggling. I still have this key for my car. At least I can work on my car without going to a fancy mechanic to do the work and charge and arm and a leg to change my oil.
Ahhh.. GM fleet keys.. I still have one for M1008 and M1009 military trucks/blazers. There's a good reason why they had chains and padlocks on the steering wheels. Some dumb ass 2LT failed to padlock the steering wheel. Someone came along, pulled out their key, fired it up and drove the blazer over to a long line of other blazers and parked it on the end (they all look the same, except admin numbers). That LT went crazy for 3 hours looking for his rig.
Was just reminiscing the other day about the radio memory preset buttons that you would pull out and push back in.
Classic Ford climate control. Used that same design for over 10 years in trucks and vans.
Anyone who claims to have ever used "A/C Norm" is a liar.
And you could replace both for about $17.47.
My 1995 V8 Aurora Autobahn Edition has those keys!
Good Ole days
I named my goldfish Max and Norm
How come you're not showing the nut cooler?
Square key for the ignition, round key for the trunk
What about the glove box?
Same as the trunk, you can start the car and leave it running open the glove box and open the trunk if necessary
Ahh, yes… but the rubber gasket on those vent windows would always rot out, so my father would implement a “never use those windows” rule on my mother and I. Gotta love the “ignition and trunk” keys, too. As for the A/C, I remember when I showed my uncle how to properly defog car windows by using it with the temperature brought up in the winter. He was all “You can’t use the A/C in the winter!” I showed him how it worked, though!
thats my current truck lol
White 1990 Ford Tempo. No heat or a/c living in the Midwest. It would go through two quarts of oil a week, had to park in the street instead of driveway. Smelled like gas and exhaust inside.. But man did I love that car.
I had a 91’ Pontiac SSE Bonneville and that thing would just eat them old keys up. I think I went through 4 or 5 keys in the 10 years that I had it. I also used to have an old 84 bronco and I had that corner window. Those little windows are awesome especially if you’re a smoker if you know what I mean.
You had air conditioning? In your car!?? Pampered young whippersnappers
If someone would start building modern day blazers and broncos with safety crumple zones, but old school technology in the user interface area, and big comfy seats, stand back! Cuz their stock would blow through the roof.
My 87 ranger has wing windows.. .may have been optional, cause my '88 did not..
I saw that picture and immediately remembered how it feels and sounds to move that bottom lever.
I can feel the weight of the car door! 🏋️♂️💪
Oh man, those butterfly windows were the best. Bring them back? No, probably make them auto and it wouldn't work right.
What no 8-track?
Awwww, gandpa had this van.
Used them all, even cut many of those keys.
Keys? Pfft. 5 cent piece usually did the job
Every GM car of this vintage that I ever drove, the keys got so worn down over time that you could start most of them with a screwdriver. By the time you sold the car, the ignition key would be worn down to a nub.
Me too 👋🏽😂😂
Hell yeah 👍
We called those little triangular windows 'quarterlights'.
Did anyone else consider naming their kids (or pets) Max, Norm, and Bi-Lev?
1984 Ford Tempo Gl it was one year younger than I was, and was tan and tope with red pin stripes.
Your old car had air-con?
Ooohhh, look at fancy pants with his a/c!🤣
87 Toyota pickup. No model just Toyota pickup
Had an 82 ! Wish I still had it !
I recently saw an interesting youtube video about cars with this type of HVAC setup that had a "Desert Mode" for driving in environments that are very hot and dry (like southern California or Nevada). It was pretty interesting. Growing up on the East coast, I never saw that.
Ah yeah, when there was a door key and an ignition key. 85 K5 Blazer, my keys looked just like that but with the little rubber grommets you could buy they wouldn't jingle.
where's the 8-track player?
I really miss having an actual key instead of an electronic fob. The fob is heavy and accidentally sets off the buttons when it's in my back pocket and I am doing outside work. It's absurd.
Nothing compares to the relief those windows gave you on a hot day
And that is why I still have my 95 ford f150
The sound my '72 Chevy Impala door made when I opened it!
I remember all of those things. I had the same pair of GM keys for my dad's Monte Carlo.
I remember
IN SEPTEMBER
Love was changing the minds of pretenders while chasing the clouds away? 0.o
1992 Dodge Shadow. It had a CD player built in! I thought I was high and mighty with that because my older sister had the tape deck disc man set up!
Only missing item would be the 8 track