Extinct Car Features Only Boomers Remember

In the earliest days of motoring, car doors were more about ease than security—many didn’t lock at all, and some vehicles lacked doors entirely. But as cars became household staples and theft became a growing concern, automakers had to adapt.

In the early 1900s, companies like Ford began introducing physical door locks, adding a layer of protection to personal vehicles. These early systems were rudimentary but marked the beginning of automotive security. Traditional keys remained the norm for decades, but today, electronic locks and keyless entry have taken over