Vintage Car Extras That Were Odd Yet Surprisingly Practical

The basic structure of an automobile has remained fundamentally unchanged since Karl Benz introduced the Patent Motorwagen in 1886. The core components—an engine driving the wheels, steering gear, and a driver’s seat—have endured for over a century. What has evolved most dramatically are the optional features automakers have added to attract buyers.

Some options became classics, like heated seats. Others were outright novelties, such as the record player once offered in the back of DeSoto models. A few were downright puzzling. Yet one thing stayed consistent: manufacturers were willing to try almost anything to close a sale. Below are three vintage car options that were both unusual and, in their own way, surprisingly practical.

Ford’s Felling Friend: A Chainsaw for Your F-250

It’s easy to joke about the days when “trucks were trucks,” but in the early 1970s, Ford offered a real oddity: a chainsaw designed to mount on the driver’s side inner fender of an F-250. The saws weren’t built by Ford but sourced from Ohlsson Rice—later known as Orline—and rebranded for Ford’s tractor dealers.

A custom mount allowed the saw to fit snugly under the hood of the F-250. According to a 1971 memo from Ohlsson Rice, three models were rebranded as Ford: the Eagle I, Eagle II, and Hawk. These saws came with 14- and 16-inch bar options, ensuring that adventurers in a Camper Special would never be short on firewood or blocked by fallen trees on a trail.

The mount itself may be rarer than the saw today. Chainsaw collectors likely preserved the saws as curiosities long before truck enthusiasts rediscovered the option. Regardless of their preservation, these saws serve as a fun piece of automotive history, illustrating how definitions of utility have shifted over time.

Chevrolet’s Outdoorsman Package: A Truck and a Rifle

Chevrolet has long targeted outdoors enthusiasts with its trucks, but in the mid-1980s, the brand took it a step further. For a brief period, buyers could drive off in a new K10 pickup or Blazer with an added bonus: a Winchester Model 94AE XTR .30-30 lever-action rifle.

As autumn approached in 1985, hunters no longer needed to visit a sporting goods store to gear up for deer season. A visit to the local Chevrolet dealer could provide nearly everything needed—including a rifle—thanks to the Outdoorsman package.

The package included several upgrades tailored for hunters:

• Enhanced lighting for early morning or late evening hunts
• Durable floor mats to handle muddy boots
• Special badging to signal the truck’s outdoor-ready status

This unusual pairing of a truck and a rifle highlights how automakers once blended practicality with novelty to appeal to a specific audience.