6. Chrysler LeBaron: The Talking Wonder
The Chrysler LeBaron, introduced in 1983, featured the Electronic Voice Alert (EVA) system, a pioneering technology that provided drivers with spoken warnings about various vehicle conditions. Utilizing speech synthesis technology from Texas Instruments, similar to that used in the Speak & Spell toy, the EVA system would automatically lower the radio volume and deliver messages such as “A door is ajar” or “Your engine oil pressure is low.” While innovative, the system’s constant reminders often became a source of annoyance for drivers, leading many to disable it by removing a fuse, which sometimes also deactivated the fuel gauge. Later models addressed this by adding a switch in the glove compartment to turn off the EVA system. (moparinsiders.com)