20 Vintage Car Features We Desperately Wish Were Still Around Today

It's true what they say: everything comes back in style — and we're not just talking about fashion. Despite all the futuristic bells and whistles, today's vehicles only seem to have gotten colder and more impersonal with each new model, leaving us longing for the days when cars had character. These vintage car features may be a thing of the past, but like all things, sooner or later they just might come back into style once again.

1. Roller Safety Devices

Go ahead, get your giggles out at this one. But the logic behind this odd feature is actually pretty sound. In the event of an accident, the driver would release this rotating bar to sweep pedestrians out of harm's way.

2. Beer Power

In 1956, Vernon G. Eisel modified his 1953 Olds into a vehicle that could run on almost anything, though the car seemed to work best on a healthy diet of beer and whiskey. Technology like this would work wonders on reducing today's heavy carbon emissions — of course, then we'd also have to share our liquor.

3. 12-Passenger Cars

Today we know them as "vans," but back in the '50s, a handful of companies tried to cram 12 seats into sedans — in fact, most prototypes were actually just modified hearses. While more seats would definitely be welcome today, this thing would be an absolute nightmare to parallel park.

4. Car Phones

Before cell phones made it possible to call a friend from almost anywhere, some cars were equipped with working landline phones. These might seem redundant if we installed them in vehicles today, but at least you'd never have to worry about your phone sliding under the seat!