![]() These switches took on many different appearances, from heavy chrome plate to inexpensive plastic. In a typical auto/light truck installation, there is an individual switch at each window and a set of switches in the driver's door or a-frame pillar, so the driver can operate all the windows. The compressed air is then admitted to the respective cylinder to raise the window or seat. In a similar fashion to the electro-hydraulic system, the compressed air is merely released to lower the window and/or seat. These types of trucks have long used compressed air cylinders for seat height adjustment. That is, the compressed air system used for air brakes is also used for the windows. Modern heavy-duty highway tractors frequently have an option for power window controls however, these are generally what is referred to as "straight air". The 1960s Cadillac Fleetwood came standard with power front and rear vent windows, in addition to standard power side windows, for a total of eight power window controls on the driver's door panel. Įlectrically-operated vent windows were available as early as 1956 on the Continental Mark II. The full-sized 1955 Nash "Airflyte" models featured optional power windows. Ford also introduced full four-door power windows in sedans in 1954. ![]() Chevrolet introduced the oddity of power front windows (only) in the 1954 model. This included four-way and then six-way seats, which were introduced in 1956. General Motors also followed with full electric operation in 1954. The availability of power windows increased with the use of small, high-torque electric motors. These systems were used by other luxury car models ( Imperial and Packard) until Chrysler introduced the all-electric operation on the 1951 Imperial. Mercury and Ford Sportsman convertibles (with wood trim) were equipped with power windows on four windows from 1946 through 1948 and Mercury and Lincoln by 1951. įord also had a similar electro-hydraulic system on higher-end convertibles. The driver's door contained four buttons in addition to the remaining individual windows. The electrically operated hydraulic pump system was shared by Hudson and Packard for their 1948 through 1950 models. This feature can be identified in 1948 and later General Motors model numbers with an "X" at the end, such as the 1951 Cadillac Sixty Special sedan, model 6019X. It was only available as a package that is, power assisted windows, front seat, and convertible top (where applicable). The full system was standard only on the high-end GM convertibles made by Oldsmobile, Buick, and Cadillac. The seat and window assist system became available on GM closed cars (standard on some Cadillac Series 75 models and all Series 60 Specials, commonly called "Fleetwood" beginning with the 1948). The "Hydro-Electric" system (windows, front seat adjustment and convertible top) was standard on 1947 model year. These systems were based on major hydraulic advances made in military weapons in preparation for World War II. Chayne, ".had introduced an electrically controlled hydraulic system into the 1946 Buick convertibles that provided fingertip operation of the top, door windows, and front seat adjustment". only two) convertible top mechanisms.Ĭhief Engineer of the Buick Division, Charles A. Previously, GM had used a vacuum system which did not have the power to handle increasingly larger and complex (four side-windows vs. This system was introduced on 1942 convertibles built by GM. ![]() Shortly before World War II, General Motors developed a central hydraulic pump for working convertible tops. The earliest power assists were vacuum-operated and were offered on Chrysler Corporation vehicles, particularly the low-cost Plymouth convertibles in the late 1930s. Power assists originated in the need and desire to move convertible body-style tops up and down by some means other than human effort. Cadillac had a straight-electric divider window (but not side windows) on their series 75. In 1941, the Ford Motor Company followed with the first power windows on the Lincoln Custom (only the limousine and seven-passenger sedans). Packard had introduced hydraulic window lifts (power windows) in fall of 1940, for its new 1941 Packard 180 series cars. Window controls on center console between front seats (2005 Saab 9-5)
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