Woman had a brand new Raven Black Landau in her driveway, with a black Some time later, shortly after the 1962 Thunderbirds were introduced, that She'd done to her new car that would cause the steering wheel to be offĬenter! When the steering wheel was demonstrated, the woman couldn't believe Go to the meeting, the other neighbor walked over and asked what the heck The neighbor with the new T-bird had been running errands,Īnd stopped at our house to pick-up my Mother to go to a Garden Club meeting.Īs my Mom and our neighbor with the T-bird were getting in the T-bird to Spotted another neighbor's brand new 1961 Thunderbird Hardtop parked in Hardtop), and updates to the woodgrain patterns in 19.Īs a small kid, I can remember my parents talking about the time a neighbor To reflect changes in the instrument panel trim, with a textured blackĭesign for 1965-66 Hardtop and Convertible models (as well as the '66 Town This continued through 1966 production, after which Hardtop and Convertible models had brushed aluminum, and the Landau had The opening in the panel, regardless of the position of the steering column. The Thunderbird was completely restyled for 1964, and the Swing-Away mechanismĪt the instrument panel now had matching hinged trim panels to conceal
Despite its popularity on the Thunderbird, thisĭid not carry over to the other Fords, and cars with this option are somewhat The Swing-Away was offered as an option on the 1963-1966 full-sized Ford Galaxie, Galaxie 500, Galaxie 500 XL, and LTD (1965-66) models as well. Prior to that, invoicesĪnd window stickers still listed "STEERING COLUMN MOVABLE" asĪn option. Steering Wheel officially became a standard feature. To become a standard item for the 1962 Thunderbirds.ĭuring September, 1961 production of the 1962 Thunderbirds, the Swing-Away Of all '61 T-birds were equipped with this option, making it popular enough Same reason, the steering wheel was securely locked in place for drivingĮxcept for when the transmission shifter was in park. The column had been moved back to normal driving position. The car could be started with the steering wheel in either position, butįor safety's sake, the transmission could not be shifted out of park until Vinyl panel filled the gap on the left side of the column when it had been Gap when the steering wheel was in the normal drive position, and a color-keyed On the instrument panel to the right of the steering column filled the
On this design, the steering column itself moved, and a special metal plate Movable to the right about 10.5 inches to allow for easier entry and exitįor the driver, especially with a purse, briefcase, or packages in tow. Priced at $25.10, the Swing-Away used a special steering column that was New to offer Thunderbird's trendy customers. Styling for 1961, as well as a new Thunderbird 390 Special V-8 engine,Īnd lots of formerly optional items such as back-up lights, power steering,Īnd power brakes were made standard, so the options list needed something
It was the perfect time to do it, as the T-bird had all new The Swing-Away Steering Wheel was a new option introduced on the 1961 Ford And that is how the idea behind the Swing-Away
#66 THUNDERBIRD STEERING WHEEL DRIVER#
Should have something unique, not offered elsewhere caught on, however,Īs did the idea of finding a way to create more room for the driver especially To appear on styling exercise drawings for years. Was never seriously considered due to cost constraints, but it continued It would improve access for passengers entering or exiting the car. In addition to providing the T-bird with a feature no other car offered, Hardtop with hinged roof panels that would raise when the door was opened. History of Ford Swing-Away, Tilt-Away, and Tilt Steering Wheels | AUTOMOTIVEĭetails about the Ford Thunderbird's movable steering wheels!ġ967-Up for Car Lines: Ford, Lincoln, and Mercuryġ964-1965 Lincoln Continental Vertically Adjustable Steering Columnĭuring the late fifties, Ford stylists submitted a drawing of a Ford Thunderbird
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