1989 HUD, in dash CRT, & Philips Future Car

Automotive technology. Like everything in the Auto industry, this perpetually evolving circus began somewhere, sometime ago. Heads up display units, while still on the exclusive side of the optional equipment in today’s cars, were implemented in the late 80s primarily by General Motors and the Nissan Motor Company. HUD, reflected a digital display of speed, turn signals and other data into the base of the windshield allowing the driver to keep his or her eye on the road. Adjustments were avail for up down, brightness and simply powering the feature off. Having experienced this tech first hand in the early 90s with my mothers new Cutlass Supreme International Series, it was definitely a divided upgrade, the guys (my father, brother and I) adored it, while mom, despised it. In dash multi display screens tend to be much more prevalent as of late, and looking back at Oldsmobile’s from 89, they had some pretty foretelling ideas. A car that called you if it was broken into, a calender to schedule your life events? This is current day stuff! And Philips Electronics was so confident in their ideas, suggesting personal PC’s, multiple cellular phones and a tellefax was the future. They weren’t that far off! The Royale was a prestige sedan designed by the British stylists I.A.D. for the consumer electronics firm, Philips. Based on the Subaru Alcyone platform, it was equipped with their 2.7 liter H6 engine with all-wheel-drive. Its sober lines were as striking as its interior layout.