Classic cars are undeniably beautiful, but they come with their fair share of flaws. From questionable design choices to features that leave you scratching your head, some aspects of these vintage rides have frustrated drivers for decades. Here are 15 of the most talked-about design flaws in classic cars.

Enormous Steering Wheels

Classic cars like the 1955 Buick Century came with oversized steering wheels, which were difficult to manage. While they might have added a touch of grandeur, they made maneuvering in tight spaces a real challenge. It felt like steering a boat rather than a car.

Trunk Space? Not So Much

Take the 1957 Chevrolet Corvette. It may look sleek and stylish, but its trunk? You’ll be lucky to fit a suitcase in there. Weekend road trips turn into a game of packing light—or leaving half your gear at home.

Awkward Seatbelts That Fight Back

Before retractable seatbelts became standard, classic cars like the 1964 Ford Galaxie had manual belts that you had to adjust each time you used them. They often got tangled or required awkward maneuvering to fasten, turning what should have been a simple safety feature into a minor annoyance.

Cranking Windows Was an Arm Workout

Before power windows became standard, cars like the 1968 Ford Mustang came with manual crank windows. Rolling them down wasn’t quick or easy—it was an unexpected arm workout. Nostalgic, yes, but not exactly convenient by today’s standards.

Infamous Rear-Engine Placement

Porsche fans love the 911, but its rear-engine placement has always been a challenge for drivers. While it improves performance for some, the weight imbalance can make handling tricky, especially for those new to the car. It’s a design that’s sparked plenty of debate over the years.

Low Riders Hitting on Speed Bumps

Owning a low-rider like the Jaguar E-Type sounds glamorous until you encounter a speed bump. The ground clearance is so minimal that every small bump on the road feels like a major obstacle. As stunning as it looks, your undercarriage might not survive the daily grind.

Awkward Door Hinges

The 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing’s doors are iconic, but not very practical. They swing up, making it look like you’re about to take flight, but getting in and out of the car can be a hassle. Expect to bump your head or twist yourself into an awkward position.

Confusing Push-Button Gear Shifters

Some models, like the 1956 Plymouth Fury, decided to experiment with push-button gear shifters. It seemed futuristic at the time, but the buttons were often confusing, leading to mishaps. Needless to say, this “innovation” didn’t last.

A Rainy Day Nightmare

T-tops were a huge trend in the ‘70s, especially with cars like the Pontiac Firebird. The problem? They weren’t great at keeping water out. Drivers often found themselves with wet seats after a rainy day, as the seals didn’t do much to block leaks.

Dashboard Glare That Blinded Drivers

The chrome-heavy dashboards of cars like the 1959 Cadillac Eldorado sure looked good, but on sunny days, they created a blinding reflection. Driving with sunlight bouncing off your dashboard into your eyes was not the safest or most pleasant experience.

Headlights That Didn’t Work on a Dark Nights

Headlights on classic cars, like the 1967 Pontiac GTO, were notoriously dim. They looked fine at dusk but didn’t provide much visibility once the sun went down. Long-distance night driving could quickly become nerve-wracking as drivers squinted to see what lay ahead. It’s no wonder aftermarket upgrades became so popular.

Awkwardly Placed Handbrakes

Some classic cars, like the 1960 Chevrolet Impala, placed their handbrakes in inconvenient locations—often under the dashboard. This made reaching for them a hassle, especially when you needed to park quickly. A simple feature made far more complicated than it should have been.

Air Conditioning Always on Vacation

While air conditioning became more common in the 1970s, earlier classics like the 1966 Shelby Cobra either didn’t have it or had weak systems. Cruising in these cars on a hot summer day meant sweating it out with the windows rolled down, praying for a breeze. With this common flaw, comfort took a backseat to aesthetics.

Tiny Side Mirrors That Didn’t Do Anything

Cars like the 1965 Ford Thunderbird came equipped with side mirrors so small they barely functioned. Blind spots were nearly impossible to manage, and lane changes felt like a gamble. Safety definitely took a backseat to style here.

Hard-to-Open Hoods

Some classic cars, like the 1969 Dodge Charger, had notoriously difficult hoods to open. Their weight, combined with tricky latches, often required two people to lift them. Even experienced mechanics found themselves battling these hoods just to get to the engine.