GM firsts
 

GM gets and deserves a lot of barbs, but I read an interesting piece done 20 years ago about GM and some of the first in the world things it gave us. In chronological order (including companies that became part of GM later:

1901 mass produced car, Olds
1912 starter motor, Cad
1915 V8, Cad
1917 low-high beam system, Cad
1924 proving grounds
1927 electric wipers, Cad
1928 syncro transmission, Cad
1929 radio, Cad (Lasalle)
1932 metallic paint, Chev
1934 crash testing
1938 column shifter, Pon
1939 auto trans, Olds
1939 turn signal, Buick
1952 automatic lamp dimmer, Olds
1957 air ride, Cad
1962 turbocharger, Olds
1964 automatic temp AC, Cad
1965 tilt wheel
1966 heated seats, Cad
1971 high mount brake light, Olds
1971 traction control, Buick
1973 airbag
1975 catalytic converter
1976 trip computer, Cad
1981 cylinder deactivation, Cad
1988 heads up display, Olds
1996 auto wipers, Cad
2000 night vision, Cad
2001 satellite radio, Cad

Pretty impressive list, I guess despite all the idiocy that went on there were some sharpies too!

Missed several dramatic Automotive firsts:

Air-to-Sea Torpedos 1940
Overhead Valves 1954
Rocker Arms on Ball/Stud 1954
Overhead Cam 1966?
Reverb; 1967
Hoodtach 1967?
Body-Color Rubber/Steel Bumper 1968

As far as 1966 OHC 6;
 

First US Production 6 with OHC design.
First Belt Driven Camshaft on an American engine.

The Jeep Tornado overhead cam six was introduced in 1962, although it wasn't belt driven. Of course, OHC engines have been around in various configurations since 1910 or earlier.
I think several of the OEMs had reverbs as well as the aftermarket. I don't know who was first, but reverb was an available accessory for the 1965 Imperial.
I'm not sure air to sea torpedos qualify as an automotive first. ;)

Saginaw tilt was available in '63. Fascinating stuff.

1st concept car: Buick Y job

1st industrial design/styling center: The GM Art and Color Studio

1st hidden windshield wiper system - '69 GP?

1st windshield hidden radio antenna

K

My '65 GTO has the reverb -

K

Yea, i threw those out on a wag. Cast iron V8 crankshaft circa 1960 was another gem.

Keith, 67 B body had hidden wipers, (depressed park), Pontiac made a big deal about it in their advertising that year.

No one mentioned the 66 Toranado FWD, then the Eldorado soon after. Not the first cars with FWD, but it was a big deal at the time since Cord I believe last tried it in 1929ish, through 1937?

To be clear PMD didn't state First OHC, they stated it was the First US production "CAR" to use it.
They were splitting hairs for sure ;) :D

1st Production Turbochaged V-8 in the USA 1980 PONTIAC
1st 4 speed automatic overdrive ( GM/Cad) 1943 ( IIRC these were put into Tanks)
1st and Only US Company to use "Rocket fuel" ,1962 OLDSMOBILE ( refill tank under hood)
https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...3&d=1667258402

The 1962 Olds Jetfire was the first production turbocharged V8. That fluid was a 50:50 mix of methanol and distilled water, under boost it was injected into the intake to cool the charge.

My '64 GTO was equipped with the tilt wheel option from the factory, so '65 was not the first year of the tilt wheel.

Also, the '64 GTO was the first car to have red line tires available and a Hurst shifter...

Buicks were OHV from the start in 1908.

. I did not know that.

The OP initial list has a number of mistakes, but not going to nit pick. GM had an impressive list of real great innovations. Surprisingly, Chrysler had a similar list of first's as well and Ford. They weren't called the big 3 for nothing!

The list of shame could be good too:

Cardboard door panels (Chevette)
Plastic cam gears
Plastic intake manifolds
Soy based wiring insulation (if we make it taste like food, mice wouldnt eat it, would they?)
2.14 rear gears
etc

This could get interesting....

The vega/astre, I can't think of any good things about that car..........:D

Aztec.....:confused:

1st built-in tent?

Maybe not...lol