Once upon a time ... the gearshift ashtray
02/07/2026
And for two different reasons: On the one hand, because fewer and fewer people are smoking and ashtrays are generally disappearing as an equipment detail. And secondly, because today's gearshifts are so short that you can hardly put a pearl necklace around them - if they still exist at all. In many cars, rotary or push buttons have long since taken over their function.
But in 1953, when half a meter of metal still protruded from the center tunnel and every breath was also a lungful, this lampshade for 5.25 marks offered an unprecedented gain in comfort, as you could do two things with one movement. For large-caliber smokers, there was also the ash drawer under the dashboard. It was probably easier to empty - but it also cost 50 pfennigs more.
The article from auto motor und sport reveals what other practical, funny and useless accessories were available for the VW back then.
