Coolest Automotive Inventions: The 1942 DeSoto & Its Cigarette Dispensing Steering Wheel!

Learn more about this strange invention on the 1942 DeSotos!

[@6omega2]

James Dean wasn't a "thing" yet in 1942. The image of the cool guy smoking a cigarette for that period was Humphrey Bogart.

[@aspalovin]

Frankly Scarlett.. We don't give a damn! J/k. cool fact, and I got to use that line.. Carve me off a W and pat my back! YAY😜

[@Notoproject2025]

In 42 he was still a little boy in Central Indiana.

[@Billy_Bad_Ass]

Really surprised this channel doesn't know this...

[@RADIUMGLASS]

In general, smoking was considered cool for decades.

[@Mantaracer]

Unless James Dean started smoking at a very young age...🤪

[@graburn]

I have to say, I commend you for not being one of these channels where someone is clearly just reading (or *shudder* a computer voice reading) from a script. How refreshing.

[@gregharvie3896]

Hi from Sydney, Australia. I'm now in my late 60's when I was little one of my Great Aunts had one of these a coupe in dark grey with maroon leather interior, she'd owned it since new and LOVED it. I had always thought as an adult that this was probably some aftermarket special "smokers" wheel that you could buy and have fitted, as a little boy in the late 1950's I was amazed at this cigarette dispensing device, when I was out with her sister, my Nanna, my job was to get tobacco out of Nanna's smoking pack, pull out a cigarette paper , assemble the tobacco , make the cigarette and lick it together , then present the finished product to Nanna who was driving , push in the cigarette lighter & pass that to her, how times have changed . Her son Mervyn had tried to coax her into a newer car, and in 1959 bought a whole "set" of '59 Fords, a Galaxie sedan, Ranchwagon and even a retrac Convertible coupe. Aunty Alicia was not swayed, not interested, her 42 Desoto ruled supreme. Mervyn tried again in 1964 and bought her a lovely grey 64 Pontiac Star Chief in dark metallic grey with maroon interior she was luke warm with this and used it occasionally, but still mostly the '42 Desoto. One day the '64 Ponti' was stolen and never recovered. What did take her fancy was a racehorse owning friend had just ordered and received a '64 XL 500 Galaxie Sedan which had the front to rear console and basically 4 bucket seats, these were a verry elaborate sedan with the little red & white courtesy lights on the doors etc, I know why she liked it. She phoned all the Sydney Ford dealers and found that Swann Ford at Narrabeen on Sydney's northern beaches had a "porcelain" white with "ming" blue interior example in stock, she bought it new in October 1964 and drove it until her death aged 96 in January 1995, they were her 2 favorite cars in her massive driving career.

[@saxongreen78]

Your great aunt was able to obtain a new DeSoto coupe in Australia in 1941/42? Was she a doctor or an essential part of the War Effort? Quite remarkable - and lots of what would be highly exotic and expensive cars here in the 1960s.

[@LoganPEade]

When I was 15 in the early 70's with my new "Learners Permit" there was a local character named Charlie who owned and drove a 42 DeSoto complete with the Fluid Drive and steering wheel cigarette dispenser, which still worked and he used, since he smoked like a chimney 😂! I feel fortunate that he let me drive his car a few times. It was ancient even then and I'm certainly one of an ever increasingly small club who's ever seen in person let alone knows about both features! Great video by the way, thank you for the effort! 👍

[@VinnyMartello]

That’s so cool!

[@aaronbays7436]

Suprised this wasnt more common, everybody smoked back then. The one that really kills me are the GM station wagons with ash trays in the 3rd row seats. Bobby, quit poking your sister back there. Have a smoke and chill the hell out back there!!

[@machpodfan]

LOL yeah, noticed that too once upon a time!

[@Santor-]

Lol, but in all honesty, they were often used for gum wrappers and other minor trash.

[@marko7843]

​​​@@Santor- Oh, definitely: "When you're finished with your gum, wrap it up in the foil and put it in the ash tray!" And in the house, ashtrays were indispensable for disposing of hot flash bulbs from the cameras of the time...

[@aspalovin]

To be fair. The teen Baby Sitter or Auntie that got shoehorned in back there with the demon spawn kids needed access to a smoke station. Ask me how I know😁I had a car until about 08 that had back seat 'trays n' lighters'. Handy to have those spare finger print removers in back

[@marko7843]

My Uncle Al's Caprice wagon did not have a lighter or ashtray in the third, rear-facing seat, but it did have its own switchable dome light AND a switch to lower the rear window. But get this... they actually had enough sense to wire the switch so it couldn't put the window UP and decapitate the kids! 👏 (It only let carbon monoxide flow through the car from the rear-facing tailpipe, before they had enough sense to point THAT thing sideways...) 😀

[@slicksnewonenow]

That '42 DeSoto really was SOMETHING!

[@HelpingHand-ic4wt]

I grew up where we often drove past a '42 DeSoto. It never moved, it was parked on the of the office to a boat trailer sales lot for decades. I noticed it really young... "No lights!" Later grandpa told me it was a '42 DeSoto.

[@aspalovin]

Funny how you could get a smoke and maintain attention to driving.. Now you can't even get an ashtray in a car but you can have a giant TV as a dash to play with while drifting over the line, clipping curbs, pickin' off pedestrians and rear-ending someone..... Muffins.. We just used beer for that back in the day.. and cool. Here's a smoke!

[@michaelbenardo5695]

They should ban those TV screens in cars. We are supposed to be DRIVING THE CAR when driving, not watching TV. Cars may be safer as far as the death rate goes, but the accident rate is out of sight.

[@DGillyy]

I've commented at different places about this, regarding smoking in the 40s. My eldest sister was born in 1941. Some time after that, my mom was concerned that she was having trouble getting her weight back down to her pre-pregnancy level, so she mentioned it to her doctor. He said that she could consider smoking, as many people find that smoking curbs their appetite! She didn't do that and lived to be 94 years old and was still driving when she was 93!

[@albertseabra9226]

A great story. Cigarette Companies paid Doctors to advertise their products .

[@-oiiio-3993]

Advertisements of the day promoted such ideas.

[@aspalovin]

""Hi, I'm Actor Troy McClure. You might remember from other self help videos such as 'Smoke Yourself Thin' and 'Get Confident Stupid'. " Not to defend smoking but I've known many people who lived into their 80's and 90's as smokers. It's really dependent on the rest of your lifestyle as well.

[@WinterInTheForest]

I mean it probably helped to keep that weight down

[@davidgold5961]

Before World War II cigarettes had no additives. After WW II the USA got about half of the German scientists and the Ruskies got the other half. This motley crew of talent included many chemical scientists, some of whom started working for the tobacco companies. Germany has a long cultural tradition of talented chemists. Additives started being mixed in after the war, to increase the addictive potential and bump up sales. Modern cancer sticks contain up to 599 additives, mostly in the Diazapene family. These are what kill you. A current brand with NO additives is American Spirit. Most military C-Rations had a 5-pack of cigarettes in them.

[@61rampy65]

Can you imagine what that feature would look like today? It would have to be a "smart" dispenser, with 14 computers to operate it, and you would need an app on your phone. And, it would require age verification to dispense a cig. On top of that, the system would automatically open the power windows, and turn the ventilation system to HIGH. Then it will shut down the whole car if you don't pay your monthly subscription to the manufacturer, especially if it were on a BMW or Toyota.

[@-oiiio-3993]

Geez, I like my restored Willys MB.

[@aspalovin]

E-Cigs only.

[@carsyoungtimerfreak1149]

Very well said!

[@h.paulsprojects3061]

Well put!! You could also have an app on your phone to have it lit for you after you did the remote start!!

[@barryf5479]

We'd also have a skull and crossbones on the cigarette/steering wheel cover with a government warning.

[@bloodybones63]

I remember cigarette machines in hospital waiting rooms. Kids could just walk up & buy them. And floor stand ashtrays & spittoons. In our local Baptist church, there were ashtrays & spittoons on the pews, & most people smoked & spit there.

[@mjg263]

The cigarette dispenser is really something, but the concealed headlights and grille design for ‘42 really blew my mind. That’s like something out of the 60’s!

[@P.Galore]

I want that steering wheel for my current car...rather have Phillip Morris kill me than Takata!

[@georgeburns7251]

Too funny. And sad too.

[@-oiiio-3993]

They could be reproduced.

[@aspalovin]

Good call. Takata is mean about ''smokin' you'' At least Phil drops our corpses off in Flavor Country

[@SuperDirk1965]

Wonder if you still think that when you're suffering from lung cancer and experiencing agonising pain with every breath you take. Day and night, every day untill death comes to release you from that agony.

[@Snocone333]

at least takata will put you down quicklike 😂 ​@@SuperDirk1965

[@lhenterprize]

Early 50's Old's had a self winding clock in the steering wheel as an option, but this cigarette dispenser is unique.

[@halhenryg]

I'm in total agreement with the 1942 DeSoto, the looks! Magnificent design.

[@JonosBtheMC]

When you said the cigarettes were loaded vertically, I suddenly remembered how big steering wheels used to be and how grateful I am for power assistance. Alec Issigonis, famous chain smoker, put an ashtray in every model he designed, but he disliked heaters and radios because they were "distracting".

[@briandawkins984]

The one in the mini was mini size appropriately. And no British car of a certain vintage had a working heater.

[@aspalovin]

Don't need power steering with a ship's wheel. That's why they where Huge. I love non power steering cars..Real ones, not a modern car with broken power steering. There's a MASSIVE difference lol. Alec was right about radios. Look where we are today. Why pay attention to the world when u got that screen?

[@stephendavidbailey2743]

AI also hated seatbelts and America.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

In Massachusetts, state law forbade radios in new cars under the same reasoning, but you were free to buy a radio from the dealer and install it yourself. This was true as late as the 70s. Imagine, your brand new 1974 Cadillac would not come with a radio, and the dealer couldn't install one either. If you wanted one, you had to buy it and install it yourself.

[@francisdec1615]

I hate seatbelts as well. Let me drive without and give me euthanasia, if I crash and become a vegetable.

[@mrdanforth3744]

Those hidden headlights were an unusual feature, the 1937 Cord 812 is the only other car that had them back then. DeSoto was a luxury make, next to Chrysler and above Plymouth and Dodge in the corporate ranks. DeSoto shared its body with Chrysler, this made it the biggest car in its price class or the cheapest car in its size class depending how you looked at it. DeSoto was Chrysler's most innovative make, and the flashiest. It often debuted new features and styling.

[@christopherrychlik6147]

Wow! A Pezz dispenser for smokes.

[@aspalovin]

Pezerettes!. Wow.. Pez missed a market there eh?

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

My dad was born in 1926 and he noticed how much people coughed during and after smoking anything, cigarettes, pipes or cigars. He decided that he would never smoke and he never did smoke!

[@whatsamattayu3257]

Both my parents smoked all their adult lives. Both died of cancer related issues. Unfortunately, they didn't have the nicotine patches, etc. back then to help people quit.

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

@@whatsamattayu3257I am so very sorry. Cancer is a terrible thing and a lot of it is genetics, so no matter what’s done you might still get cancer.

[@davidc.4972]

They used to have Doctors in ads telling you how good they were for you! I think one was Faucis grandfather.

[@flotowncomputerguy6243]

A doctor could almost do a study on my family. The ones that smoked and didn't give it up, barely made it to 70. The ones that never smoked made it to their late 90s and early 100s. The ones that smoked did not have a great quality of life those last years, either

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

I am so sorry

[@madmike2624]

A 42 DeSoto cigarette dispenser, really Adam! You just never know where your quirky and genius mind goes for content!!!!!

[@friendofdorothy9376]

I mentioned it to him a few days ago on his video on steering wheels.

[@myronfrobisher]

I always liked the Scotsman interiors on these DeSotos - they also got rid of the running boards the hidden headlights were a master stroke. An interesting factoid about cancer rates pre and post WW2 among cigarette smokers. After WW2 we brought over new pesticides from IG Farben in occupied Germany , these sprays were used on the tobacco crops with great effect unfortunately they were also highly carcinogenic.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

Those chemicals are probably a big part of the reason smoking can cause cancer. Most of these "modern" chemicals have been found to be carcinogenic.

[@jrdervish]

It's a thumbs up to get the information. The info itself is a big thumbs down - but I could not do that to @myronfrobisher! 😯

[@flotowncomputerguy6243]

That's also around the time that companies were breeding more addictive strains of tobacco and adding in many other chemicals to make it harder to give up

[@myronfrobisher]

@@flotowncomputerguy6243 100% totally spot on correct !!!

[@marko7843]

Gee, who would have thought that taking something from a Nazi chemical company could be hazardous to your health?

[@Flies2FLL]

Adam, your channel is now my favorite automotive channel on YT. Cleetus McFarland, Hoovie's Garage, and Car Wizard are right behind, but your expose of various odd car features is outstanding! Keep up the good work. I owned one "significant" car in my life, and I lucked into it: In 1986 my parents [my mom, mostly...] bought me a college car, an '85 Volkswagen Scirocco turbo. I wanted a 90 hp '83 GTI, but dad said "NO!" (he of the '63 split window Corvette) so I wound up with a Rock Gray Metallic 5 speed with a velour interior. And a turbo. Yes, these had a rare turbo option; It was 6 pounds of boost, no intercooler, and it made 130 hp. This was a dealer installed kit, and it WAS covered under the Volkswagen warranty, so that makes it an official option. From the research I have done, there were 52 of these kits produced, and nearly all went onto Sciroccos. I just know that I drove it and it was a bottle rocket. The turbo was very small and hit boost instantly, so there was no lag; The car was a blast and it got 28 mpg in the city! I sold it 7 years and 120,000 miles later with few problems, and only later found out that this may have been the first 1.8T, but also the first turbocharged gas engine Volkswagen sold in the United States. I've looked for the VIN, and it has disappeared, so it was probably junked. Great video!

[@kevinbarry71]

Cigarette dispensers; but automakers resisted installing cupholders

[@bobqzzi]

And seatbelts

[@slicksnewonenow]

No foolin'? That's probably because the tobacco companies hadn't yet started poisoning their products, people didn't think they had to have a Coffee IV and they also paid attention while on the road. Things that the modern "mind" doesn't think of anymore.

[@josephgaviota]

@@bobqzzi _And seatbelts_ Well, that makes sense, because it _implies_ that driving may be dangerous, and I'm sure the automakers didn't want that implication.

[@jamesslick4790]

"Take out" was not as prevalent then. Most people would stop at a diner and have their coffee or Coke inside. A pop bottle holder may have made sense, But there really wasn't any kind of standardization (Pepsi bottles being bigger than Coke bottles, ETC) Cigarettes were standardized as to size by the 1910s. they were all 70mm long until the Early 1950s when the 85mm "King" (now considered short!. LOL) and 100mm (called 100s.. because well..) sizes came out. So it was much easier to design a case for 70mm smokes made by ALL brands than a who knows what size beverage holder the size of decided my different brands. The standardized 12 Oz Beer and Pop cans were not yet a "thing".

[@bobhill3941]

​@@josephgaviotaI heard years ago, it was surmised by automakers at the time that "people didn't want to drive something you had to strap yourself into! People thought you wouldn't be able to escape a crash. I remember a slideshow years ago showing car "safety" features and one was a pop out windshield. People thought it would be safe if people were thrown from the accident.

[@frankdeboer1347]

Not just an interesting historical feature but also a gorgeous steering wheel.

[@-oiiio-3993]

Well stated.

[@aca2983]

Adam several years ago I was in an antique shop and spotted something curious. Yes, it was an aftermarket car cigarette dispenser AND lighter. It was bakelite plastic, and had only 1 electrical lead. I wasn't sure what it was, but I knew it was a car accessory probably from the 30's or 40's. Some googling and I had the answer. You preloaded the device via a lid at the top, and rotated a knob that would dispense the cigarette horizontally- similar to the old toothpick dispensers in diners. Then, there was a springloaded lighter mechanism you pushed on the side. I'm sure at the time this was marketed as a "safety" feature so as to not distract your attention from the road!

[@henrysittner1793]

I've never seen a more unique steering wheel but remember seeing a 1970 Miller-Meteor Cadillac ambulance at a car show with a cigarette lighter and ashtray in the patient compartment. Yes, nearly everyone smoked back then, including ambulance operators transporting patients.

[@Wildstar40]

How about the glove compartment mini bar ? The car manufacturers decided that a mini bar was just what people needed while on the road. An amazing feature that came with the minibar is that the shot glasses had magnets in them, allowing them to stick right in the opened part of the compartment, that way the drivers didn’t have a mess to worry about while drinking and driving. Crazy huh ?

[@jeffrobodine8579]

Rat Pack special.

[@perryelyod4870]

The 1967 Rolls Royce Corniche had a mini bar in both of the front doors. The driver didn't have to reach ''way over'' to get a whiskey while driving.

[@danielulz1640]

57 and 58 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham.

[@marko7843]

​@@danielulz1640Yes, The only ones with that particular feature, in a $10,000 car...

[@-oiiio-3993]

Those were in _expensive_ automobiles. Wealth had privilege.

[@johndonlon1611]

Very cool video on an interesting topic. GM had so many ashtrays going unused during WW2 that Boeing installed them on B-17 cockpit panels.

[@travist.7279]

My parents had a '41 DeSoto when I was very young. I remember it well. It had a chrome dash that looked a lot like the front bumper and grill. The transmission was a manual, "Three-on-the-Tree". It was also a 20+ year old POS, that racked-up more miles on the hook of a tow-truck, than under its own power.

[@kenon6968]

Love the 42 mopars, this and the Chrysler are among the best of the deco streamlined cars

[@rsn66125]

If I gotta go, make mine a bacon dispenser! I’ll drive myself to the mortuary with a smile on my face!

[@aspalovin]

Do that now my friend.. A Bacon dispenser will make you RICH.. Let's make it... don't make me develop yer idea without you. lol. Everyone who counts loves bacon.. Imagine... An in-dash air fryer sizzlin' up crispy bits of heavenly goodness.? Can even give some to the guy you hit!

[@qoph1988]

reddit

[@kingfunk9336]

I'm 77 and didn't know this ever existed. You got into the nitty gritty on this vehicle.

[@albertseabra9226]

Critroen in the early 50s offered as an option a cool, plated small box, installed on the dashboard. Pressing a botton, an already lighted cigarette would be dispensed. Option featured in the fabulous Traction Avant, a front-wheel drive sedan. .

[@osxwrangler]

Gotta love the French!

[@trudygreer2491]

...how very French!

[@Ronilac]

Americans behind the trend as usual

[@ValdezJu]

KOOL! 🚬 Adam is a sucker for hidden headlights!

[@aspalovin]

Pop Up, Up N' Down Headliiights!!!!

[@philip4193]

Funny how cars nowadays don't have ashtrays included anymore, however they still have 12V cigarette lighter-style power outlets (even if there's no longer a lighter installed in it).

[@michaelbenardo5695]

It they have a lighter-style outlet, you can probably put a lighter in there. Worth a try!

[@640kareenough6]

Theres a ton of accessories that use the 12V plug, anything from USB chargers to fridge boxes

[@emjayay]

@@michaelbenardo5695 You can. Same outlet.

[@brianhdueck3372]

That pretty much takes the cake! I am amazed at all the fun facts you find to entertain us with! You never disappoint.

[@tomm1109]

Humphrey Bogart really made smoking popular. His long drags and pauses for effect and to give people something to do with their hands popularized it even more. A lot of sayings are references to what people know. Bogart making movies in the 30-50s was well known when the 60's phrase "Don't Bogart that joint" came about.

[@Colorado_Native]

I want a car with a built-in Peanut M&M and Pepsi dispenser.

[@-oiiio-3993]

Watch the film _Undercover Brother._

[@dave1956]

I am also looking for an ice cream dispenser!

[@aspalovin]

Pass on the Pepsi but them peanut M&M's? Take my money. If I'm forced to take a Cola (yuck) Pepsi will do though. Coke is awful in North America. Bring back RC and we can work out a deal.

[@Colorado_Native]

@@aspalovin I agree. I loved RCCola. We get Coke from Mexico sometimes in the store where I work. It is much better than our US made Coke.

[@-oiiio-3993]

@@aspalovin What, no _Moxie_ ?

[@user-lb1hf5nk5d]

I almost bought a 1941 De Soto, beautiful car, large car awesome to drive.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

One criticism of the 40 and 41 DeSotos was their lack of power. The 42 had a slightly bigger and hotter engine. 115 horsepower vs 100/105 horsepower and more torque.

[@FluffyTheGryphon]

1965 Ford "Wrist Twist" steering concept. That's another weird steering "wheel".

[@emjayay]

Not in a production car though.

[@blue6gun]

My buddies grandparents had a blue 1942 Dodge sedan. Really cool car. BIG back seat lol

[@curious_atoms]

Thanks. Now I'm jonesing for a cigarette after quitting a decade ago.

[@philojudaeusofalexandria9556]

Just pick up a '42 De Soto with this feature. Who knows? The previous owner may have left a few in the steering wheel.

[@agostinodibella9939]

That cigarette dispenser in the steering wheel is cool! I am surprised they didn’t automatically light it too!

[@jazzfan6]

Along similar lines, I am still waiting for luxury cars with massaging seats to offer a "happy ending" feature.

[@votingcitizen]

14? I guess people would burn 6 by the time they got the steering wheel loaded.

[@jamesengland7461]

Were cigarettes 20 to a pack back then? I thought they were. The 14 is odd to me too

[@ValdezJu]

@@jamesengland7461 14 cigarettes was enough to make it to and from the corner store for more cigarettes.

[@-oiiio-3993]

@@jamesengland7461 Yes. But also about twenty cents a pack.

[@aspalovin]

14 is a weird arbitrary quantity.. Makes you wonder.. did the designers wanna jam a whole deck in there? That won't work.. OK.. Half a deck? Well ya, but only half?.. Ok..We can fit 14.. It's more than 50% so it's a 'pass'.. Send it! Still got a 6 pk in yer breast pocket if things get tight.

[@-oiiio-3993]

@@aspalovin Or they smoked six while loading it.

[@merlinbalke1735]

Very cool. I also like the early 50's Oldsmobile wheels with the integral clock.

[@pcno2832]

My parents used to have a friend who carried around this little metal thing that was shaped like a wallet. You put tobacco in one compartment and papers in the other, then when you pushed the ends together, a cigarette would pop out. Imagine how much such a device would save today's smokers, with cigarettes running $10 or $15 per pack, most of that for taxes. If there had been a 1943 version of this car, maybe it would have had a cigarette roller, rather than just a dispenser, but the '42 was still quite a specimen. I'm not normally a fan of hidden headlights, but I have to admit, the ones on this car make it reek of coolness.

[@davidryle]

One of the first "skills" I learned at 6 years old was how to roll a cigarette. Later the Laredo machine came out and I was out of a job.

[@gmck91204]

This was Chrysler Corporation’s new “”Airflow” - adventurous styling once again.

[@-oiiio-3993]

I'm a bit surprised that they used 'air...' in any marketing effort during a time when "Airflow" was a punchline until replaced by "Edsel".

[@chazdc154]

At the FDR library in NY state his 1936 Ford Phaeton is on display. That car had a cigarette dispenser too, but it dispensed LIT cigarettes! It is mounted into the dashboard.

[@bftdr]

leon ames drove a '42 desoto with hidden headlights in the postman always rings twice. ames played the da who prosecuted james garfield for murdering lana turner.

[@jamesslick4790]

It makes sense. If you have a built in cigarette LIGHTER, Why not a cigarette dispenser? The built in lighter prevents the driver fumbling for his Zippo while driving, Why not have access his "Luckies" be just as fumble free?

[@bobroberts2371]

said " Why not have access his "Luckies" be just as fumble free? " I took a fresh pack of Luckies and a mint called Sen-Sen

[@jamesslick4790]

@@bobroberts2371 I smoke Luckies and Pall-Malls, With a ZIPPO! LOL.

[@-oiiio-3993]

@@bobroberts2371 The stud of the Cotton Club.

[@aspalovin]

Dropping a Zippo in a car SUCKS.. Those damn things actually DON'T go out that time!

[@jamesslick4790]

@@aspalovin I know right? A "Bic" is TECHNICALLY safer when dropped! Not as cool as a Zippo though, Another price us smokers pay! LOL,

[@ganormand]

I had 1950 Dodge. Had Fluid Drive-it was absolutely the best car in the world to teach someone how to drive a manual transmission. They couldn't stall the engine. It also had a factory mounted air hose from the spare tire to the outside fender, just over the bumper. It allowed you to check the air pressure of the spare without having to unload the trunk. Very handy on a trip. But, the feature I really liked was the distilled water reservoir over the battery, which monitored the fluid level in the battery, and using gravity, replenished any loss electrolyte.

[@Flies2FLL]

-As to DeSoto, I was a kid in Grosse Ile in 1976 and they took us on a field trip to a car museum on the island, and there was a Chitty Chitty Bang Bang tribute, along with a '41 DeSoto. I was puzzled; I had never heard of a DeSoto. When dad came home from work that evening I asked him about the car and he told me about that company. I like the DeSoto designs more than the Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth variants because I like cars that are less adorn, more plain, and more about the shape than anything else. That's why I drove a Porsche 928S2 for 19 years as my daily.

[@-oiiio-3993]

Graham and Hollywood should really impress you, then.

[@aspalovin]

@@-oiiio-3993 That was a cool comment to tell us he drove a Porsche. Wasn't even an S4. 😜

[@michaelbenardo5695]

The DeSoto, despite being a little cheaper than the Chrysler 6, was MORE adorned and more stylish.

[@Flies2FLL]

@@aspalovin Hell no it wasn't an overweight S4, saddled with a damn automatic!

[@jeffaulik3980]

Your best car subject yet!

[@640kareenough6]

There seem to be no comments about other weird steering wheels so I think I have to mention Citroen, specifically the older ones. Pretty much until airbags became mandatory, they exclusively used single spoke steering wheels with wild designs on all their cars, in later models like the XM it even included remote buttons for the radio. The whackiest one has to be the one from the Citroen C6 though. Its a rather recent car (2005), but they decided to make the center "pod" with the airbag and the buttons remain stationary. So while you turn the outer rim, the inner part stays put and all of the buttons are in the place you expect them to be

[@frederickbaake4397]

That's actually a cool feature in my opinion. I usually don't smoke when I drive but I know people that do and they'd probably love that.

[@vrubiera]

I agree with you Desoto cars were fantastic designs, this steering is fenomenal and quite ingenius

[@-oiiio-3993]

Phenomanal.

[@seed_drill7135]

Surgeon General or no, they were already calling them coffin nails in Grapes of Wrath.

[@medic53067]

The Grapes of Wrath is a phenomenal novel! It was published just before this 1942 Desoto was built!

[@luetner]

In 1942 the tobacco in cigarettes had not been doctored with nicotine as they are now. I smoked in the 1960's, 70"s and could tell when they all brands began doctoring the tobacco.

[@aspalovin]

Pure, Un-Governmented tobacco is wonderful... The brands are full of all kinds of neat extra poisons like fromaldahyde (SP) etc.. The same preservatives in ALL of our packaged food. Exercise, eat Steak, Chicken, Fruit, Veggies and smoke pure tobacco Vs McDonalds n' Sloth.. I'll see you at the finish line.

[@davidgold5961]

Before World War II cigarettes had no additives. After WW II the USA got about half of the German scientists and the Ruskies got the other half. This motley crew of talent included many chemical scientists, some of whom started working for the tobacco companies. Germany has a long cultural tradition of talented chemists. Additives started being mixed in after the war, to increase the addictive potential and bump up sales. Modern cancer sticks contain up to 599 additives, mostly in the Diazapene family. These are what kill you. A current brand with NO additives is American Spirit. Most military C-Rations had a 5-pack of cigarettes in them.

[@davidryle]

Indisputably correct. A real tobacco pipe, cigar or pouch for rolling was nowhere as dangerous as it was post 1960. Government and corporate "engineering" is always the path to demolition of any technology.

[@emjayay]

Cigarettes are not doctored with nicotine. Nicotine is in tobacco.

[@Colorado_Native]

My dad's Chrysler had a tissue dispenser under the front seat. Some had a record player under the dash.

[@starkparker16]

James Dean started smoking when he was 7 and driving at 9 so he may have had a 1942 Desoto with a cigarette dispenser.

[@DougguoD]

Yeah, I was wondering 😄

[@stepanbandera5206]

Had he been driving it, he probably would have survived.

[@-oiiio-3993]

@@stepanbandera5206 Bingo.

[@francisdec1615]

I started smoking at 9 and learned to drive at 13, but I was born much later than James.

[@stephendavidbailey2743]

I was in a grandparent owned 1962 Cadillac when all four adults were smoking and the air conditioner was on recirculate. Braving a rebuke or worse, I asked for it to be put on fresh air setting. My father was driving and to my complete shock not only changed the setting but actually apologized!

[@michaelbenardo5695]

I hate the recirculate setting, even if nobody is smoking. Nasty.

[@CEOkiller]

Disappearing headlights and a cigarette dispensing steering wheel?? Sign me up!

[@dalemeyers4175]

My parents bought a new 1959 Buick Electra. It had a little device that used vacuum and a little scoop at the bottom of the dash to suck cigarette butts into a glass jar on the firewall that could be emptied by unscrewing it. Although it looked factory it was probably a dealer installed doodad.

[@stephenmoxley3004]

Wow...I had no idea of this! Of course, back then almost 50% of Americans smoked. Now, it's about 10%. As always, keep up the great work, Adam.

[@mdough7766]

I won't be able to proceed with my day unless I comment on this car. What a stunner! I can't believe I've never heard or seen anything about it before now. The cigarette holder is also a kind of cleverness that we don't see much of any more. It's so mechanical. Spring loaded. Metal components, not plastic...Certainly is of its era. This was a time when people had cigarette boxes on their coffee tables stocked and ready for guests. Ash trays on every end table and coffee table. So, of course you need a cigarette dispenser at your fingertips when you're driving. Makes me smile. (And, no, I don't smoke.)

[@CEOkiller]

Not only did it have hidden headlights, it dispensed hidden health risks!

[@discerningmind]

Adam, thank you. It's amazing to me that you learned of this DeSoto cigarette steering wheel. I envision your being engaged with intense reading and research, since you always bring forth wonderful and thoughtful pieces for your channel. I have a special appreciation for this video as I love vintage Chrysler products and I have a '48 Chrysler Windsor. You had requested for anyone to state in the comments, knowledge of a steering wheel of equal or greater strangeness. Though I can't think of one, I did recall an automotive device circa 1930 that's wonderfully unusual and actually goes hand-in-hand with the DeSoto cigarette steering wheel. Briefly, years back had I met a gentleman who owned a marvelous vintage car collection, and in particular a 1930 Chrysler Imperial Dual Cowl Phaeton that had been one of Walter Chrysler's personal cars. It was a magnificent piece, enormous, and finished in the most beautiful deep shade of dark blue. The unusual device was in that car, and it was a cigarette lighter that when not in-use remained parked in its dashboard housing like any other lighter. To use the lighter one pulled it out of the dashboard toward their cigarette, however, attached to the back of the lighter was a long cord leading back to and through its dashboard housing. The lighter element heated up when it was pulled from the dashboard housing. Then after lighting a cigarette or five or six, the cord had sufficient tension on it to draw the lighter back into its housing on the dashboard and once parked there the element turned off. (Probably power to the element was disconnected at six inches or so from its dashboard housing.) In consideration this lighter being joined along with the DeSoto cigarette steering wheel in a single vehicle, I ponder whether combined they would become the epitome of luxury, or lowly apparatuses required for the handicap.

[@donk499]

What a cool feature! Those hideaway headlights are cool also, wonder how they operate...

[@MartinSuter-ns2je]

A hand crank on the dash.

[@robbernath]

Hydraulic/vacuum-driven system actuated by a control located inside the vehicle. This is even how they worked well into the late 1960s with the first-generation Chevrolet Camaros.

[@-oiiio-3993]

Both previous replies are incorrect. The Cord 810 had hand operated headlight doors, the 1942 DeSoto's were _electrically_ operated.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

@@MartinSuter-ns2je That was the Coffin-nose Cord. The 42 DeSoto's were electric.

[@choward5430]

People today don't realize most Americans smoked in the 20th century. Smoking was everywhere.

[@davidgold5961]

Before World War II cigarettes had no additives. After WW II the USA got about half of the German scientists and the Ruskies got the other half. This motley crew of talent included many chemical scientists, some of whom started working for the tobacco companies. Germany has a long cultural tradition of talented chemists. Additives started being mixed in after the war, to increase the addictive potential and bump up sales. Modern cancer sticks contain up to 599 additives, mostly in the Diazapene family. These are what kill you. A current brand with NO additives is American Spirit. Most military C-Rations had a 5-pack of cigarettes in them.

[@tyttuut]

They don't? I'm pretty sure EVERYONE knows that.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

I was one of those, and I am still alive and well.

[@choward5430]

@@michaelbenardo5695 My father smoked for 50 years and drank straight scotch daily for 50 years. He's 91 and on his way out. I believe had he not, he'd exceed 100. God Bless you!

[@Billy_Bad_Ass]

Literally _everyone_ knows this, unless they're 8 years old.

[@MarinCipollina]

Thanks for this one, Adam.. Very cool and mostly unknown feature..

[@philojudaeusofalexandria9556]

My dad still has an automatic cigarette lighter+dispenser from the late 60s. It lights via butane and springs up the lit cigarette for your convenience. My dad never even smoked, lol.

[@starman2337]

The only other steering wheel that comes close is the Edsel with push button drive in the center, or the steering wheel with a self winding clock in the center to take advantage of the wheel's motion.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

That steering wheel watch was popular on Chrysler products, and on the Olds, but not other GM cars.

[@starman2337]

@@michaelbenardo5695 I think the Edsel used a sundial.

[@LordOfTheThreeWorlds]

Nice find! As an x-smoker the first thing I imagined was at 3AM ran out of supply and desperately tearing apart my steering wheel my wife is like what the hell are you doing in the garage !?!

[@gustavgnoettgen]

The interior looks like something from the sixties, almost seventies even. A bold decision to do all these colorful dots. Its like a mess when cars were elegant, and it works.

[@blautens]

I feel like there's only a handful of people on this planet that could draw a legitimate comparison between that desoto and a fisker karma. Well done.

[@RareClassicCars]

Ha!

[@sejembalm]

Decades ago, at a car meet, friends saw an old late '40s car that had a home made padded leather arm rest that contained a wooden desk cigarette case under the hinged padded top. Sure, you could put napkins or folded maps in it, but this was for cigarettes with a small section for lighters in front, not coins.

[@bettertvreceptionwithfoilf7100]

14 prerolls for a road trip sounds about right.

[@gregt8638]

I, once again, learned something new from you, Adam! I had no idea that any car other than the Cord had hidden headlights before the mid- 60s.

[@Pisti846]

The upper section is a optional grill guard.

[@danielulz1640]

On the 41.

[@rf159a]

Back then, Doctors were promoting cigarettes for health!!

[@rmr5740]

DeSoto was positioned above Dodge from 1933 on.

[@michaelbenardo5695]

Yup, it was based entirely on the Chrysler 6. The Dodge was mechanically based on the Plymouth, and on certain years, the body and chassis as well were Plymouth-based.

[@darinp5612]

car companies today need to take note and bring stuff like this back

[@briandreggors9178]

I'm not sure if my father was even aware of this option even though he came of age in the 50s/60s, but I'd sure like to image right now he's up in heaven trying to rig this dispenser onto the steering wheel of his '67 Wildcat and filling it up with non-filtered Chesterfields.

[@DSP1968]

Human ingenuity knows know bounds. 🤣

[@aspalovin]

Moon Rockets n' Dash Darts.. Those heavy smokin', red meat eatin' coffee n' beer swillin' geniuses where on to something.. Hell, They even perfected V.D.

[@marko7843]

Yep, especially when it comes to finding ways to kill itself...

[@stoneylonesome4062]

Old Citroëns from the 60’s/70’s (like my SM) have lighters and ashtrays for every seat - even a two door car like mine.

[@jamesslick4790]

Well it IS French! 😀

[@danielulz1640]

So did upscale American cars of the era.

[@jamesslick4790]

@@danielulz1640 True! My mother's Chrysler New Yorker Brougham had them in every door and in the ashtray!

[@-oiiio-3993]

As did nearly every U.S. auto.

[@jamesrecknor6752]

Many years ago, I had a Renault R12. As you can imagine, I am still mad at France.

[@iowa_don]

My Grandfather had a 1953 DeSoto with a "Firedome" V-8. What a tank that thing was!! I drove it a number of times. It had a 2 speed automatic that you had to let up on the gas for it to shift from first to second. No cigarette dispenser though.

[@rossbryan6102]

I HAD AN 1942 DESOTO FOR ABOUT AN COUPLE OF YEARS, 1960 /61 , BUT NO CIGARETTE DISPENSER!! I LOANED IT TO AN FREIND AND HE USED IT AS HIS SENIOR PROM CAR, BUT THE 6 CYLINDER ENGINE WENT BAD AND I SCRAPPED IT!! DRIVING IN DAYLIGHT WAS FUN WITH THE HEADLIGHT DOORS CLOSED, AND WHEN ANYONE APPROACHED FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE , I LIKED TO FLIP THE DOORS OPEN AND SHUT, AN FEW TIMES!! IT CREATED MANY STRANGE LOOKS FROM THE PASSING CAR PASSENGERS!!

[@Santor-]

There also was an automatic dispenser and lighter. 1 push and a lit cigarette come out. Those were aftermarket though.

[@tombrown1898]

"Smoke, smoke, that cigarette! Smoke, smoke, smoke, and if you smoke yourself to death, tell St. Peter at the Golden Gate that you hate to make him wait, but you gotta have another cigarette!". A song of the time. Love it when people say, 'But we didn't know!"

[@bobroberts2371]

A bunch of singers did this song. I posted the lyrics a few min ago but YT deleted the posts 2X

[@tombrown1898]

@@bobroberts2371 I remember Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen doing it in the '70s.

[@marko7843]

I believe the original, or at least the most popular, was Phil Harris from the Jack Benny Program...

[@davidgold5961]

Before World War II cigarettes had no additives. After WW II the USA got about half of the German scientists and the Ruskies got the other half. This motley crew of talent included many chemical scientists, some of whom started working for the tobacco companies. Germany has a long cultural tradition of talented chemists. Additives started being mixed in after the war, to increase the addictive potential and bump up sales. Modern cancer sticks contain up to 599 additives, mostly in the Diazapene family. These are what kill you. A current brand with NO additives is American Spirit. Most military C-Rations had a 5-pack of cigarettes in them.

[@tombrown1898]

​@@marko7843 I consulted the ultimate authority... Wikipedia...LOL...and the song was written largely by Merle Travis and first recorded by Tex Williams in summer, 1947. It was the Billboard #1 Country Hit of the year! Phil Harris did a very early cover version, which was also a big seller.

[@cudaus1]

Glad to see that you are doing a 40's car. A great era for cars. Thanks for posting it.

[@iindium49]

The infotainment center of 1942. It reduced road rage with a clip of sigs and smooth jaz of the am radio.

[@jimcrabtree8385]

Other interesting steering wheel features are the clocks offered in 50 Mopars (DeSoto and Chrysler) and Oldsmobile. They were self winding and were wound up when you turned the wheel.

[@mikehenson819]

More people then smoked than didn’t. That held true all the way into the early 70s.

[@beiderbecke1927]

I have a book devoted to old print advertising, and there's one from 1923 for the Cig-a-Lite cigarette container and lighter that mounted to the dashboard. It lit the cigarette as it dispensed it, and was heralded as a great safety measure. It held 15 cigarettes, and there was a round glass window so you could see if you were running low. It was manufactured by the Splitdorf Electrical Co., and retailed for $7.50.

[@KB10GL]

A couple of points. The restored Coupe & Convertible depicted in this video are presented as 1941 manufactured cars as the industry usually released its new/next years model anywhere from September onward of the previous year. It was in early February of '42 that nickel was declared a 'strategic' material, so chrome plating, which used nickel as part of the triple plate process, came to an end for car makers. The last of the 1942 cars, all makes, were finished with painted trim that was previously chromed. Secondly Dodge, & likely DeSoto & Chrysler as well, for 1932, introduced the vacuum operated clutch. When the vacuum was turned off, the car was operated normally using the clutch pedal, but when engaged, the clutch would disengage at engine idle via the vacuum chamber. This allowed one to come to a stop & shift into first gear. By gentle operation of the throttle, the clutch would engage & off you went. Shifting was done by releasing the 'power pedal', allowing the clutch to again disengage & allowing smooth shifting. This was improved in 1933 with the addition of a cushion valve, a pendulum device that made re engagement of the clutch less 'positive' when driven by less skilled drivers. I don't know if it was available in 1934, but the 1939 Fluid Drive provided the same function.

[@andrewroberts6123]

The only thing that the 1942 DeSoto needed was a refrigerated center console, to keep your beers cold.

[@danielulz1640]

For the times, it could be considered a safety feature. You would not have to take your hands off of the wheel to get a smoke out of a semi crushed package in your suit pocket.

[@SMOBY44]

Best steering wheel I ever saw was my 77 Corolla. The horn was activated by buttons on the spokes toward the rim, and the center cap/plug (about 1 1/2" dia) could be easily dislodged with a key revealing a very hollow cavity. I kept my weed in there in the 80's.😁

[@jimmieroan9881]

beautiful car, love the hidden headlights, i had a 48 desoto business coupe i drove for several years up into the late 60s. one thing you may want to look into is the ashtray lots of cars had even up into the 50s, not sure if it was an option or just came that way but there was a vacuum hose connected to the ash tray and it pulled the ashes out and into a container under the dash. i had to edit this because my 57 pontiac convertible was missing the container and i thought the ashes went to the vacuum hose.

[@grantrowland1998]

Imo, the 41 and 42 both look great for their own reasons. I prefer the 41 front end but think the 42 is beautiful too.

[@super-gerald]

Interesting feature but you missed a great opportunity to talk about those headlights. How did they open? Vacuum? Electtic motor? Hand crank? Would have been interesting to see.