Having gone through hundreds of years of formation and development, cars have undergone many changes and improvements to meet the needs of users. However, the trunk of the car is a part that has remained almost unchanged for many years.
The trunk or the car’s cargo hold is a large compartment with a lid at the rear of the car, used to store objects. Some car models have the trunk located at the front, but most of them are placed at the rear.
The trunk used to be a simple box
In the early days, cars did not have built-in trunks, and the cabin was also very small. Therefore, in order to carry belongings or luggage, users came up with the idea of attaching a small box to the rear of the car.
Everyone did it, creating a common phenomenon that led to the birth of companies specializing in producing trunks for cars. The leading company in producing rear-mounted trunks for cars was Moynat of France.
The trunk came later than cars by decades
In 1886, the first car named Benz Patent Motorwagen was born. However, it was not until around 40 years later, in 1920, that American car manufacturers such as Buick and Duesenberg started producing car trunks, which were integrated into the rear of cars.
But overall, the trunks were still quite rudimentary and separate from the cars. About 10 years later, the trunk was truly integrated with the rear of cars and officially appeared on models such as the Buick Club Sedan 1934, the Mercedes-Benz 500K Cabriolet 1936, etc.
The birth of the hatchback from the trunk
For a while, Citroen created the 11CV Commerciale with a trunk integrated into the cabin, along with two doors, one lifting upwards and one sliding horizontally. The purpose of designing a trunk like this was to serve traders who needed space for their goods.
This model was the precursor to today’s hatchback cars and became one of the most familiar car body styles in the world.
The trunk handle appeared late
The trunk handle was introduced in 1920, but it was not until 1950 that it was widely used. Ford introduced a feature to install handles on the trunk lid. This made it easier and more convenient to open the trunk.
Also in this decade, electric trunks were also born. The first electric trunk was applied to the Packard Predictor introduced at the 1956 Chicago Auto Show. Only luxury car models at that time were equipped with electric trunks.
Not every car has a rear trunk
Not every car is equipped with a rear trunk. Typical examples are the Volkswagen Beetle and Chevrolet Corvair. These cars have their engines located at the rear, so the trunks are shifted to the front of the cars.
Or like the Porsche 911, it is equipped with both front and rear trunks.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class changed the trunk design
When it was launched, the trunk was just a small compartment for holding belongings. However, in 1984, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W124 completely changed the design, which is still in use today. The trunk has become a large storage compartment with high walls.
This car’s trunk extends down to the rear bumper. This not only makes it easier to load heavy objects onto the car but also significantly expands the trunk opening, making it more convenient for users to put in and take out things.
In addition, the German automaker has also created a hidden trunk handle that can be folded away when the lid is closed. This design helps prevent users from getting their hands dirty when opening the trunk.
Opening the trunk not just by hand, but also by foot
The hands-free trunk opening feature is now available not only on luxury models but also on mainstream cars. When carrying heavy objects with both hands, users can open the rear trunk by kicking their foot under the rear bumper without having to put the objects down.
The trunk is not just a trunk anymore
In some luxury car models, the trunk is not only used for simple storage but also equipped with additional features such as a tray, a refrigerator, seating, optimized to serve users.
Trunk volume is not always important
Normally, the larger the volume, the wider the trunk. However, it also depends on the size and interior equipment of the car. If the car has a flat floor, an SUV or a hatchback with fold-flat seats will allow more luggage to be loaded even with the same volume as cars without a similar design.
Additionally, a square rear end will make it easier to carry more items in the trunk.
Is the trunk lid considered a car door?
With some car types, if the trunk is integrated into the cabin space, the trunk then can also function as a seat, and the trunk lid is also the rear door of the car. That is why there are car models with 3 or 5 doors configurations.
Is the pickup truck bed considered a trunk?
Although they have similar functions, the bed of a pickup truck cannot be considered a trunk. This is because some pickup truck models do not have a trunk lid, and the items placed in the bed are prone to dirt and damage. However, some pickup truck models like the F-150 Lightning do have trunks at the front or rear.
The car trunk is like Doraemon’s magical pocket
The trunk is not only for storing items but also contains various accessories that manufacturers offer, such as spare wheels, toolkits, emergency warning signs, first aid kits, and even gloves for changing tires, CDs (for older car models), cargo hooks, sound equipment, etc.
In some cars, the trunk also houses the car battery. In addition, there may be compartments for small items located under the trunk floor or on the side of the trunk.
TH (Tuoitrethudo)
