Q: Back in the '70s, a friend had a Monte Carlo with front seats that rotated. To facilitate entry/exit, the seats swiveled with the touch of a lever. I am surprised that I've not seen that innovative and convenient feature before or since. Do any manufacturers offer that nowadays?
A: Several GM cars of the 1970s offered swivel seats, and Chrysler offered them in the 1960s. They have disappeared as a factory option, but aftermarket swivel seats are available. They range from a simple swivel placed on the car's seat up to motorized units that can extend out from the car and even lower once deployed. If you're interested in one, make sure it has passed safety crash tests.
No permanent fix
Q: I have a 2006 Hyundai Elantra that has 81,000 miles and runs great. But it has rust on the bottom on each side of the car. Can this problem be fixed, and is it worth it?
A: The areas you are referring to are the rocker panels. Rust is quite common there on Elantras, and even if repaired, it usually returns. It can be fixed, but only temporarily, meaning it probably isn't worth it.
Sunny side up
A column about sun glare that ran three weeks ago resulted in a flood of mail from readers. Here's a sampling.
Q: I use something called Battle Visors when the sun is low, and they really help.
A: I searched the web and found that product, which got mixed reviews. While surfing, I also found a slew of other products. To paraphrase an old motto, let your mouse do the walking.
Q: A road rallying friend taped the tops of his sunglasses. He could block the sun right down to the horizon, and better than a visor. It was instantly adjustable with a tilt of his chin.
