Nowadays, an ashtray is an extra option, but this was not the case in the past, when every car had one or more ashtrays installed in the factory. Smoking in the car was totally accepted, something we can't imagine anymore.
Our air-cooled Volkswagen Buses were not very luxurious but an ashtray was standard in the dashboard of most VW Buses.
Due to its many uses, the ashtray gets damaged and rust takes over. The outside of your ashtray can often be saved, but getting the inside completely clean is for many a big job and a new reproduction ashtray is a much better option
Useful information from Paruzzi magazine and from our YouTube channel :
Look for more technical articles on the page Paruzzi Magazine