Cupholders
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,383
Likes: 357
From: ON/NY
Cupholders
Hello everyone.
I was wondering if anyone knew when cupholders in cars became the norm?
At the office today, a colleague at work found some old car brochures. One of them was the original 1990 book for the LS400 and a 1989 book for the Toyota 4WD trucks. Inside the truck brochure was a pic with a cupholder and a can if Coke. We then started to wonder when they started offering them as we thought it was a bit premature for the 1989 truck to have them.
Anyone know?
Ps. The LS book was more than 45 pages, impressive detail and lots of information. I never knew Lexus offered a hands-free phone in the 1990 Lexus. Impressive!
I was wondering if anyone knew when cupholders in cars became the norm?
At the office today, a colleague at work found some old car brochures. One of them was the original 1990 book for the LS400 and a 1989 book for the Toyota 4WD trucks. Inside the truck brochure was a pic with a cupholder and a can if Coke. We then started to wonder when they started offering them as we thought it was a bit premature for the 1989 truck to have them.
Anyone know?
Ps. The LS book was more than 45 pages, impressive detail and lots of information. I never knew Lexus offered a hands-free phone in the 1990 Lexus. Impressive!
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,810
Likes: 15
From: MI
My 66 Chevy Impala had two "cup holders". There were shallow indentions stamped into the inside of the glovebox door. When the door was open, the cup holders were level and they were designed to contain minor spills when pouring coffee from a thermos while parked. I think all cars of the era had similar cup holders.
I think modern cup holders became popular in the late 80s and 90s with minivans.
I think modern cup holders became popular in the late 80s and 90s with minivans.
Former Sponsor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,947
Likes: 2
From: Florida
I remember the company car Pontiac Grand Am my father had with 6 cup holders and 4 seats in a 2 door...if I remember right 2 in doors, 2 in center console and 2 in the rear seats.
I remember in the 1990s thats when it really took off and there was drastic changes in design with good cupholders & bad ones and that is when I remember reading about them in reviews.
I remember in the 1990s thats when it really took off and there was drastic changes in design with good cupholders & bad ones and that is when I remember reading about them in reviews.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cup_holder
^ According to Wikipedia, it was the 1980s lol. Interesting that cars had tray tables for eating as early as 1957 though!
^ According to Wikipedia, it was the 1980s lol. Interesting that cars had tray tables for eating as early as 1957 though!
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 3
From: IL
My first car - a 1989 Thunderbird, had none.. it had a spot you could put a soda can or McDonalds cup - but you better hold on to it yourself!
Loved that car (hey - it was back in 1992 that I had it!). It was fun having a RWD car as a first car (and second and forth car as well). No TC or ABS either.. made Chicago winters oh so fun.
(Same year, but not my actual car)
My second car, a 1996 Thunderbird, still didn't have cup holders. Ford finally put them in the 1997 model and then discontinued the car.
Loved that car (hey - it was back in 1992 that I had it!). It was fun having a RWD car as a first car (and second and forth car as well). No TC or ABS either.. made Chicago winters oh so fun.
(Same year, but not my actual car)
My second car, a 1996 Thunderbird, still didn't have cup holders. Ford finally put them in the 1997 model and then discontinued the car.
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,444
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From: Bronx, NY
I think they became popular with the original minivan from Chrysler in the mid '80s. Before then, those indents on the inside of the glove box door were most common. Thats all there was in my dad's 1981 Caddy deville.
