Gear - Tech Standards
The 70s marked a turning point for ergonomics on the center console. The gearshift was now exclusively in the middle of the car; no more column shifters! The handbrake also moved from under the dashboard to the center console in front of the gearshift as a standard feature in the auto industry. However, as an unintended consequence, this change also allowed reckless young drivers to drift around corners more easily. Space for technical gadgets was also considered. While never seen in European Toyota Coronas, features like ESP and air conditioning were standard in the US. ESP even as far back as 1976?! Astounding, as it stands for Electric System Panel for monitoring the braking system – very cool stuff!
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