Modified Mayflower
There was a time when people weren’t afraid to dig into a brand-new car in order to personalize it or add options not offered by the factory. Such do-it-yourself accessories as window-mount air conditioners, curb feelers, and extra bumper guards were common items for Dad and Junior to install in the driveway — maybe just a few weekends after bringing home a new car in the fall, maybe in the spring once their need was demonstrated, or maybe after a few years to freshen up a car before it was time to replace it. Auto parts stores and catalog companies were eager to offer the creative car owner myriad opportunities to improve his or her automobile with just a few hours turning wrenches.
It’s easy to think of speed parts as a different category from the typical automobile accessory, but the truth is that installing those parts on a newer car was only slightly more difficult than something like a light-up hood ornament. A
