FLEETDRIVE
They use over 100 specilaised tools designed for the most intricate detailing, Zymol Royale Wax to ensure a mirror-like shine and protection, and a multi-stage paint correction process to eliminate the slightest imperfections. They also offer bespoke interior detailing where they rejuvenate the finest leather, wood, and metal trim.
The Mirror That Changed Driving
Before rear-view mirrors were standard, drivers had to improvise. In 1906, British motorist Dorothy Levitt suggested in her book The Woman and the Car that drivers, particularly women, carry a small hand mirror to check traffic behind them. It was a simple idea, but an important one.
In 1911, race driver Ray Harroun mounted a mirror to his car for the first Indianapolis 500 so he could see competitors without carrying a riding mechanic. A few years later, mirrors began to be mass-produced, and in 1921 Elmer Berger patented and marketed the first widely adopted interior mirror under the name“ Cop- Spotter,” promoted as a way to keep an eye out for police.
Its usefulness quickly went beyond avoiding speeding tickets. By 1934, day-night mirrors were introduced to reduce headlight glare, and modern versions now include auto-dimming features and integrated camera displays. What started as a handheld suggestion became one of the most important safety components in every vehicle.
The Pedal Plot Twist
Today, drivers expect the same layout every time they sit behind the wheel. In a manual vehicle, the clutch sits on the left, the brake in the middle and the accelerator on the right. That consistency did not fully settle into place until the 1940s.
In the early years of motoring, there were no firm standards. The Ford Model T, introduced in 1908, used a completely different three-pedal system. The left pedal controlled low and high gear, the middle pedal operated reverse and the right pedal was the brake. Engine speed was managed by a hand lever on the steering column. Other manufacturers experimented freely. In some cars, the accelerator was positioned in the centre. In others, hand throttles controlled speed instead of a floor pedal.
A significant move toward the modern arrangement came in 1916 with the Cadillac Type 53, which featured the now familiar clutch, brake and accelerator layout. Even then, variations continued for decades. Widespread standardisation accelerated around the Second World War, when consistent training for military drivers became essential. Placing the accelerator on the right allowed for more precise control for most drivers, while the brake remained centrally accessible.
As automatic transmissions became more common after the 1940s, the clutch pedal gradually disappeared, leaving the two-pedal setup seen in most vehicles today. Whether a car is left-hand or right-hand drive, the pedal order remains the same worldwide, creating familiarity and reducing confusion for drivers everywhere.
Do you know of any awesome auto facts? Email us your most interesting car trivia and get featured in the next issue of FleetDrive! Send us your best trivia at info @ afma. org. au
ISSUE 57 FEBRUARY 2026 / WWW. AFMA. ORG. AU 45