Car Fads You Probably Don’t Miss

In this day and age, drivers are looking for sophistication. That typically involves state-of-the-art car technology, driver assistance safety features, and interior comfort that elevates your driving experience. What drivers don’t expect to see are quirky car trends that come supplementary to your vehicle purchase, often known as car fads. These add-on features were once created to make your car unique, but rarely do they withstand the test of time. As of lately, you might have noticed less and less consumers making use of these outdated trends. Therefore, we thought it’s time to look back on some of the worst car fads in automotive history. In a few seconds, you’ll quickly remember why these car fads remain in etched in our memory.

Time to reminisce — 5 car fads you probably don’t miss

Granted some car fads were able to capture our hearts during their prime. However, those unique features tend to fall in favor as quickly as unpopular car models leave the automotive market. To reflect on some of the worst car fads, we’ve gathered a list of the 5 most mentioned by auto enthusiasts.

Vinyl roofs

When automakers wanted to raise the mark on luxury, vinyl roof covers peaked in popularity. They became hallmarks of the 1970s through late 1990s, specifically for convertible models. There was nothing particularly remarkable about this roof feature beside the potential for leakage and reduced safety protection. Once automakers came to this realization, the use of vinyl roofs nearly vanished in the following decade.

Beaded seating

Before seating became so widely versatile, many drivers fell into the trend of beaded seating. Upon first introduction, this popular car fad earned the trust of drivers looking for premium comfort, cooling, and advertised health benefits. Luckily, passenger seating has improved leaps and bounds over the years, making the need for beaded seating second to none.

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Spinner rims

When episodes of Pimp My Ride first aired in the early 2000s, car enthusiasts became infatuated with a number of car trends. One of the most notorious fads to make it out of that era were spinner rims. This pricey upgrade cost thousands  and served no mechanical purpose. If you wanted to make a statement and had the means to do so, spinner rims were a no-brainer for some. Now, most drivers would never pony up the cost of adding spinner rims. Instead, they’d certainly opt for blacked out rims as an upgrade.

Fake hood scoops

We blame this one on the Fast and Furious franchise, but nonetheless, fake hood scoops became a popular (mostly cheesy) addition to vehicles in the last few decades. Crazed auto enthusiasts who wanted their vehicles to have the look of a sports car without the actual function of a working hood scope would buy fake ones to serve in their place. Since the main purpose of the hood scoop is to allow air to reach the engine, any mock-up version is of no use.

Chrome door handles

Chrome door handles were often seen on trucks and full-size SUVs throughout the 2000s. Some drivers even upgraded to this car fad to add a more luxury feel. Their purpose was purely aesthetic but it didn’t take long for automakers to ditch this unconventional look. The material could not weather the elements, nor did it offer a truly sophisticated exterior appearance.

Rundown on the most memorable car fads in automotive history

Just like fashion trends and food crazes, car fads tend to go in and out of style pretty quickly. These car trends may have made an enormous impact in their heyday, but not everything is meant to stick around for long. Fortunately, we don’t see many of these car fads out on the road in 2021. With the direction the automotive industry is currently going, it’s likely we’ll never see as many car fads again.

Think you’ve seen the worst of the automotive industry? Check out our article on the biggest automotive flops. Take a look back at some of the worst car releases in the last few decades!