Steering wheel spinners
 

Folks, the 53 has "Armstrong steering".....what my pop called it before power steering. I've never used a suicide knob on any of my old trucks and cars, but some say they help in turning the wheels of these vehicles. Any thoughts?

Don

Re: Steering wheel spinners
 

I can remember my dad always had one and used it don’t remember if the cars we had didn’t have power steering or not and it would also flip down inline with the wheel if you didn’t want to use it. but i think he just liked to look at the pretty girls picture

Re: Steering wheel spinners
 

I've got one on my '39 p/u. Use it all the time. Yes it helps at low speed turns. IMO

Re: Steering wheel spinners
 

We always called them "Necker's Knobs" for obvious reasons.;)

Re: Steering wheel spinners
 

Drove large truck for years, they always have them. I drive fork truck now and it has one. I'd be lost without one. Be sure to install a comfortable position. Mine were always 10:00.

Re: Steering wheel spinners
 

If used as a necking nob it was at a 9 or 10 O'clock position.

Re: Steering wheel spinners
 

Someone once told me that they were illegal here in New York State in cars&trucks.
If true, it doesn't surprise me at all! I have had them on my vehicles over the years, mainly just to hold the wheel steady while cruising straight down the road.
They are great on tractors&forktrucks! - F F

Re: Steering wheel spinners
 

Here's an interesting thread about them.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...led-so.321496/

Re: Steering wheel spinners
 

i had a 65 GMC pickup with one, it was about 10 o clock, because i could hang my arm out the window while driving down the road!

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The 40's GM ones that were the wheel in the wheel were pretty cool. Did Ford ever offer something similar?

Re: Steering wheel spinners
 

Admittedly, I have factory power steering, but turning the wheel, while backing up in to a parking spot at a show, when the car is stopped, and parking in general, are so much easier, with the knob. The factory PS is overkill, so you can literally do it with two fingers. Actually, I use it most of the time, while driving.

I wrapped the steering wheel with a thin piece of rubber before I put it on, because it will cut into the wheel, to stay in place.

Re: Steering wheel spinners
 

I was told they are illegal in NY but so is everything else fun or cool. I did it anyway.

Re: Steering wheel spinners
 

They are illegal in WI. for what should be painfully obvious reasons.

Re: Steering wheel spinners
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1629055329

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1629055329
Neat "Mercury" Steering Wheel Spinner.

Re: Steering wheel spinners
 

Always thought they were illegal in CA but Mr. Google tells me otherwise. But he has been known to be wrong.:cool: However I've never heard of anyone being jammed up for having one. I do know that they are installed on many vehicles that have been modified for use by disabled drivers.

Re: Steering wheel spinners
 

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/201...-oldsmobile-66 quite a read but pretty amazing the thought that went into the cars. Sounds like a spinner was included.

Re: Steering wheel spinners
 

I have one on my avatar and yes I do use it!

Re: Steering wheel spinners
 

Man, seeing these two shots of your dash, and noting the imagination that the Mercury design teams embodied in their design to suggest the cockpit of an airplane, immediately brought to my mind the center console in the cockpit of Glenn Hancock's 1936 Lockheed (12A) Electra with it's full array of art deco inspired engine and fuel control levers. DD


https://images.fineartamerica.com/im...a-hamilton.jpg

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Re: Steering wheel spinners
 

I think if we got back to a little more neckin' and a little less fightin', we'd all be in a better place, so I say legalize neckin' knobs!

Re: Steering wheel spinners
 

Old construction phase photo