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JC Whitney picks the 10 oddest auto accessories ever

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We hear people joke from time to time about the tacky automotive items for sale in any given JC Whitney catalog, but the company is still around and celebrates a century of business in 2015. As part of that centenary, the purveyor of car accessories is looking back to find some of the oddest products in its history.

It's hard to imagine anyone ever buying some of these things for their car. There were fuzzy covers for the rearview mirror and visors, custom door chimes that played Ave Maria and stuffed animals with light-up eyes for the rear window that basically previewed the CHMSL.

Other items were almost certainly overstating their capabilities. The gyroscopic stabilizers for your wheels somehow claimed to increase tire life for $20. There was also a precursor to the car phone that turned your vehicle into a "low-power radio station" to broadcast up to 10 miles, but with multiple parts priced at up to $169 in '60s money, the technology certainly wasn't cheap, even if it worked. The dashboard-mounted record player was also a cool idea but probably didn't operate on rough roads as well as advertised.

There is one outlier on the list that doesn't seem absurd in the least. JC Whitney sold audio from events like Le Mans and the Monaco Grand Prix on records. Remember, this was the '60s and long before recording motorsports for yourself was easy. So, offering a recording that someone could listen to repeatedly was actually a pretty good idea for race fans.

Read the whole list for yourself below, including seemingly dangerous entries like the in-car coffee maker and left-foot gas pedal.
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Top Ten Oddest Auto Accessories...Ever: From JC Whitney Vault News

JC Whitney searches the catalog archives to celebrate 100 years and finds some of the most creative, unusual and just plain strange items that were once for sale– from Winky blinkers and fuzzy car muffs to in-car coffee-makers and record players.

LASALLE, Ill. – February 25, 2015 – JC Whitney, the company with one of the most comprehensive selections of auto parts and accessories in the world, has built its business by offering "everything automotive" to DIYers, enthusiasts and folks just looking to personalize their rides with a little flair. As a result, for 100 years the company has collected a treasure trove of strange and colorful items for sale, thanks to its famous JC Whitney Catalogs.

"As we celebrate our centennial anniversary, it's only natural to look back at some of the classics found in our catalog," said JC Whitney President Shane Evangelist. "We found more than a few crazy accessories from the past, especially around the 1960s turn signal stuffed animals and record players, things that make you shake your head and laugh. But we also found a few hidden gems that were ahead of their time, precursors to today's in-car gizmos."

By combing through past catalogs of the 1950s and 1960s and speaking with auto enthusiasts, the staff at JC Whitney came up with the following ten creative, unusual and just plain bizarre items that were once for sale:

1. Door Re Me Door Chime

A music box that plays a song melody when the car door opened, this accessory offered an easy way to class up your ride...and surprise that special someone. Available in four different versions, including "Ave Maria," "Let Me call you Sweetheart," the "Anniversary Waltz" and "I Love You Truly." One wonders: would a modern day version of the Do Re Me Chime include "Shake it Up?" Vintage sale price in the 1960s: $4.98 per selection.

2. Fuzzy Car Muffs

Because cold weather makes people loopy enough to put fuzzy warmers on their cars. What was promoted as a "countrywide rage" featured wrapped fuzzy white fur over mirrors, horn rings, visors and car club plaques. It's like driving a polar bear! Today's Boston version would undoubtedly include a snow shovel. Vintage sale price in the 1960s: $0.79 – $1.50.

3. Dashboard Record Player

Was this an early version of the aux port? The integrated mp3? No. But it was an interesting idea: hook up a portable record player to the car radio. It played 45s with the claim that it "Performs smoothly even over rough roads, rough curves, even during fast starting and stopping." There were also full-size record players available for travel trailers during the 40s and 50s. Vintage sale price in the 1960s: $59.95.

4. Actual Race Recordings/Sports Car Recordings

Want classic? The precursor to audiobooks? How about a spoken word biography of Carroll Shelby, or Sir Sterling Moss. You could get it in the JC Whitney catalog and, of course, play them on your on-dash record player. Recordings of famous races at Le Mans, Monaco or Silverstone were included. Vintage sale price in the 1960s: $5.00 – $5.95.

5. Automotive Radio Phone & Accessories

Once again demonstrating that JC Whitney was on the cutting edge of in-car electronics and accessories. Well before the cellular revolution arrived, it took specialized equipment to turn your car, truck or boat into a low-power radio station to conduct business and stay in touch with family. Here was everything you needed, including the transmitter/receiver and antenna to give you a range of up to 10 miles. Unintended benefits included looking like a business mogul or law enforcement officer to passers-by. Vintage sale price in the 1960s for multiple components from $0.65 to $169.00.

6. Gyroscopic Stabilizers

Anything that has the word "Gyroscope" in the title is sure to get car fanatics dreaming about the scientific possibilities of whizzing widgets. The stabilizers claimed to increase tire life, automatically balance wheels, iron out bumps, improve handling and do your laundry. Vintage sale price in the 1960s: $19.95 (set of two).

7. Foot Operated Radio Selection Switch

Serious drivers want to know: Why move your hands from the wheel to tune the radio, when you can do it with the tap of your foot? And what's the difference between this and today's advanced head's up display telematics? Vintage sale price in the 1960s: $2.95.

8. Deluxe Left Foot Accelerator

Give the right foot a rest from all that tiring movement! Ad copy boasted benefits like "Rest the right foot" and "easily install on any make or model car...with or without a clutch." A popular modification for drummers who wanted to practice their footwork while driving. Vintage sale price in the 1960s: $3.98.

9. In the Car Coffee Maker Kit

A brilliant product that never made it to the big time, this idea came around long before Starbucks® was on every corner: this kit served 4 cups of coffee. For the price of a few tall lattes you received all of the items to percolate, pour and organize your cream and sugar...all while securing the coffee maker while you rushed to work. The perfect accessory for cup holders! Vintage sale price in the 1960s: $17.00.

10. Winky and Friends

Whatever happened to Duchess and Mac? Just like a musical super group, these plush characters enjoyed some success in the JC Whitney catalog until Duchess and Mac left to pursue solo careers in the automotive turn signal and brake light industry. A reunion has been discussed. Winky was sold in the catalog until around 1987. Vintage sale price in the 1960s: $6.95 each.

What do you remember from the catalogs? Visit JC Whitney's special centennial site and share your best memories.

About JC Whitney

Established in 1915, JC Whitney is the largest direct marketer of name-brand automotive parts and accessories, providing "everything automotive" with more than 6 million automotive applications from the latest model year back to the 1920s, and over 1.2 million parts for over 25 million different vehicles. Backed by 100 years of hands-on, expert customer service, JC Whitney offers products for virtually any vehicle - automobiles, trucks, jeeps, modern muscle, motorcycles, and more - through its comprehensive family of general and vehicle-specific catalogs and www.jcwhitney.com. The company is dedicated providing customers the parts they need at the most competitive prices, along with the highest levels of customer service, fast and low cost shipping and convenient returns.

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