Memory seats, just one of those modern automotive gadgets that we love. Not so fast: Mercury had memory seats available as an option on its 1957 models, and here’s the press release to prove it.
We have no idea how they worked, but it certainly was not via some snazzy computer technology. We’re guessing they used about a thousand pounds of mechanisms, wiring, maybe a helper monkey, who knows?
As the release states, there were several settings on a large dial mounted on the dash. You flipped to your setting and the seat did what you had set it to. Once you shut the car off, the seat would retract to the original position so the next person could get in, flip the dial, and cruise in comfort.
We bet it sounded all robotic-like when it was doing its thing. Ever seen a car equipped with this option at a show? We sure as hell haven’t.
