Top 10 Coolest Car Steering Wheels of All Time! See if Your Favorite Made the List...
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- čas přidán 1. 06. 2024
- Take a look at this list of coolest steering wheels of all time, including the 1958 Edsel, 1961 Imperial, 1938 Oldsmobile and others!
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There is nothing to watch on TV... But there is this channel! Thank you for what you do.
Ditto here.
@@issyparrish Who could argue with that!?!? 🙂
Television shows suck anymore. I rarely watch modern "TV" at all. Some shows are on their 3rd re-boot and new movies are just as bad. Every subject and topic have been beat to death.
the irony is that these cars used to be in the TV shows we used to like to watch.
Truth! All wokeism bullshit.
I recall an early fifties Oldsmobile that had a clock in the wheel. The motion of the wheel wound the clock. You could hear the winding sound. Fascinating to an eight year old boy.
Thank you for that information. That is cool.
1970 through 81 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. It fit perfectly alongside the engine turned aluminum dash housing all those engine gauges.
The Pontiac Formula steering wheel started in 1969 for the GTO and Trans Am.
Agreed. I had a 79. It was color keyed, too!
I liked the Camaro and Z28 wheels too.
I so much hated the thin steering wheel back in the day. I'd always wrap them in tennis racket tape with a leather wrap overlay. Made them thicker and comfy.
The Formula wheel was in the Le Mans and the Sunbird as well. Pontiac's wheel is my favorite because it looked like a racing wheel.
I almost bought a 58 Edsel once in my teenage years. I absolutely loved that interior, it was so full of retro space age chrome coolness.
I absolutely fell in love with it at the used car lot... but the dealer couldnt get it to run long enough for me to take it for a test drive, and my family has a rule about never buying cars you have to tow home.. so I left here there.
What color was your Edsel ?
@@sim61642 It was Green.
IIRC they wanted $2500 for it... which was a lot for me at the time... this wouldve been early 1990s
I bought a 1958 Edsel Ranger just after high school. I loved that car. It was pink and white with grey interior. Somebody liked more than I did and stole it. Also had a 1958 Ford Ranchero. That was nice. And a 1965 Mustang and two 1941 Lincoln Zephyrs. Plus a 1965 IH Scout. My parents had a big place.
My dad's advice was 1) Never buy a car that doesn't run, 2) never buy a Corvair.
1966 Thunderbird Highway Pilot Control steering wheel. An absolutely gorgeous steering wheel with an industry-leading innovation of fingertip speed control buttons on the spokes.
I thought the standard steering wheel was elegant as well. One of the best instrument panels made.
Adam, I really think you are steering in the right direction with this video. 😉😉 However, the best feature of old steering wheels was the variety of colours offered to match the variety of interior hues. One thing is for certain, chrome horn rings are overdue for a comeback.
Terrible attempt at a Dad joke. 😂😂
@@fourdoorglory5945 Hey, we gotta have fun in the comment section !
I’m with you, black steering wheels are as boring as the rest of the new vehicles today.
I would have included the 1960 Pkymouth wheel with that outrageous button horn .
Right, the 1960 Fury. How did that not make the list?
When I was a kid, I'm 70, we had an adult relative that had a '60 Plymouth Fury with a very similar steering wheel as this Imperial.
I have to agree, haha... The Aero wheel is crazy.
Agreed.
You left out the 1942 DeSoto steering wheel that optionally had a piece in the middle to hold cigarettes. Pushing a lever on it would dispense a fresh cigarette to light up.
Not a smoker, but THAT would have been cool to see !!
Ditto here 🎉
That's smooth!
He did a whole separate video on that one:czcams.com/video/hzDSenyWQwI/video.htmlsi=TSPIB0U2BU29zJ62
@@Billyboy939 Yes I saw that. 👍
He did so a few days after I mentioned it above. Such an interesting option.
10:13 Fun fact: The 1957 DeSoto Adventurer was the first American car to provide one horsepower per cubic inch as standard equipment, 345 of each.
Yes, the Chrysler 300B offered a 355-horsepower 354 in 1954 and just about everybody has heard of the mid-year Fuelie Chevrolet 283, but those were the top engine options, not standard equipment.
Here's an honorable mention - 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser
Studebaker Avanti steering wheel was magnificent.
Chrysler in the 1970s had the sporty "Tuff" steering wheel that was available on a number of models, including the Satellite, Road Runner, Duster, Demon and Barracuda. And the 1973-1975 Pontiac Grand Am, which you mentioned, used a three-spoke wheel with huge round hub that was imitative of Mercedes-Benz. Adam, thanks for another fascinating presentation!
I loved the look of the "TUFF" steering wheel
The Citroën wheel has got to be the most elegant wheel that was ever produced. I personally Love the '58 Lincoln, it fits my style criteria as something that is a joy to look at every time I get behind the wheel to drive. On the other end of the spectrum, my sister had an '89 Grand Am, that style wise made you want to throw up every time you had to stare at the wheel to drive it.
I think that the steering wheel in the 1940 Packard is absolutely the best. It is so "art-deco." It is a shame that no thought is put into car interior design like decades ago. Actually, until this video, I never gave the steering wheel much thought until I saw just how much focus was put into their design in the past. Great video!!
You left out the 1960-1962 Chrysler with the space dome instrument cluster and the 2 spoke translucent steering wheel. I had a 62 Newport 4dr one of the best cars ever built, got 20mpg at 70mph on the highway with the 361cu in engine and torqueflite transmission .😎
No list is complete without the 4 bar oldsmobile cutlass/442 steering wheel. My vote for best hands down looks awesome in any vehicle. Thanks love the videos great work.
God bless
JM
Really, all of the GM divisions' sport steering wheels from the early '70s were good looking.
The 66 Toronado wheel is the precursor of the 70 sport wheel, with the X spokes. Very aviation inspired.
Thanks for this one, Adam.. Lots of great designs over the years epecially the 1950s and 1960s..
Personally, i think the 1960 plymouth steering wheel is the most beautiful ever made, it has that transparent sparkle rim, the chrome bowtie horn insert, just awesome.
Glad to see the 1938 Oldsmobile wheel make the cut. Oldsmobile also had an available integrated clock in the early 50's.
Wow, perfect video for a Sunday morning . . .
Cheers !!!
Adam could do an entire video on antenna balls and my interest would be riveted. A lot of amazing facts again in this one. Thanks Adam!
I think you had a great top 10. I would maybe have included the late 70's Trans AM steering wheel.
Modern car interiors are so bland and boring compared to cars in the 50s and 60s. These look like art pieces and now all we get is black plastic, leather, and giant screens all over the place, bleh
So true! For me, the biggest thing was the colors available back in the day. Even the seats might often be tri-colored.
@@1ringydingy115,,
Is this Lilly Tomlin 😅
Anyway, you should see the beautiful radiant blue vinyl and silver weave interior/ upholstery in my '59 Ford Fairlane 500/Galaxy......
@@theda850two In about 1964, my mother had a '59 Ford convertible - black over black and red interior. I remember the upholstery with that silver weave being a little scratchy. Later in life, in the 80's I bought and minimally restored a '59 Skyliner. Interior had already been done, but it was not original style. I wish I had kept that car. ps My last name is Ringie. At the height of Laugh-In and for years after all I heard was . . . .
@@1ringydingy115 ,, Thanks for the good chuckle,,
and the seats are hard.
I started fourth grade in 1962. My fourth grade teacher, Miss Dunn had a 61 Imperial that she was very proud of.
I still remember exactly where I was when I saw my first 58 Edsel. It was quite visually striking.
Where were you?
@@sterlinsilver
I was in my hometown of Bellingham, Washington.
Number one for me is the 1960 Plymouth Aero wheel...similar to the Imperial but with winged horn buttons and top/bottom lucite...with glitter.
My mom had a 1966 Pontiac LeMans with a steering wheel similar to the 1965 Pontiacs. I had an early 1963 Corvette Roadster with that beautiful 3 spoke design. THANKS for this video!
The steering wheel in the Imperial was a trend setter even today as you said in very few and exclusive models, as always Imperial was very very ahead of it's time
65 Pontiacs definitely! Although Packard is my favorite brand even though I was born in '72. Maybe I was behind the times, but oh well. Duesenberg was Clark Gable flashy, while Packard quietly stated, "I'm Rockefeller and I own the movie studio you work for." I would also take a 65-70 Buick Electra 225 four door hardtop over any Cadillac, for the same reason. Interestingly the Brits would use the cortic wheel on their Austin Allegro in the 70s too. An English friend called it the Austin Aggro.
Great video as always. Fantastic work!
Great selection of classic steering wheels. One of my favorites was I think the 1960 Plymouth Fury. Rectangular design with speckles in the clear lucite steering wheel.
This is such a good video! To me, it demonstrates how boringly utilitarian modern automotive design is. Now it’s simply “form follows function.” I hope that, one day, we will return to the idea of cars as art and an attempt to make a beautiful statement by setting their design apart from others. Sadly, I think it’s a reflection of the culture.
Amen!
I often call these "Plain Jane" cars "appliance cars." Like a toaster makes toast, the car goes from A to B. Nothing more, nothing less.
@@josephgaviota No soul , no flair, no design excellence in these generic plastic jelly beans. Of course safety regulation drives a lot of this.
I agree
Another wonderful video by "Rare Classic..." No one presents these old beautiful cars nearly so well. Apart from the delightful designs of these steering wheels, of course, was the unwelcome fact that in a significant head on collision, the steering wheels wound up penetrating drivers' chests. But that was prior to "Unsafe at Any Speed", and engineered safety would come about with time. Marvelous video. Cannot thank you enough.
I really like the A pillar placement with the 1950's vehicles. It really opens up the front corners view and provides so much visibility to what now are pretty series blind spots on most modern cars.
I would add the four spoke wheel from the 1982 Mustang GT, (without cruise control) the Pontiac 'Formula' wheel, and the Chrysler Tuff wheel.
I think the Lincoln wheel was my favorite, though the '63 Corvette wheel sure is hard to argue with...
Love your work, and enthusiasm. I have been a Mechanic for 35+ years now. My first car was a 1965 Pontiac Parisienne Custom Sport 2+2 convertible. I love the styling of the old cars.
Have a great day, Sir! o7
Being a prowd owner of a 1957 Desoto Firesweep, a big thumbs up for this video!
Great video Adam, as usual, in the UK there was controversy in 1973 when British Leyland launched the Austin Allegro with a Quartic wheel, not round, but not square, but referred to even now as a square wheel. The car was in production for approx 8 years, but the steering wheel was dropped for a conventional round 18 months into production with many owners opting to change the Quartic for a round one. Personally I love driving with the Quartic wheel. Thanks again Adam
The head lights on the 1958 Lincon look like those late 50's early 60s stylish women's eye glasses. Look carefully. Neat. The Lincoln could see where it was going.
Yep, they were called "cat-eye" glasses if I remember right.
@@allenwayne2033 Yep, you are right!
The ‘59!impala steeling weeks actually first came out on the ‘58 impala
There were some such as the 1938 Oldsmobile and the 1939 Packard, I had not seen before. Perhaps a separate video should be done on the Exner steering wheels, including the 1957-58 Imperial that makes a "happy face" with the two large gauges, the 1960 Dodge Dart Phoenix and the 1961 Plymouth Fury. Great video as always, Adam!
Adam is right about that Pontiac interior... Especially with the optional red seat belts to go with the carpeting and the steering wheel.
All excellent choices! For honorable mention: my dad had a '60 Dodge Matador with translucent sections and a center that was certainly "Jetsonesque."
Hey brother... I love your channel content, I have the interests in automotive history and a such... I wouldn't feel telling you however that I watch your videos at 1.25 speed to help me recognize that you are a human being and not a robot... thanks for the hard work 😊
I’m a big fan of the 1965 Pontiac interior. As you noted, genuine wood veneer was used in the ‘73 Grand Prix and Grand Am.
Thanx Adam for this vid. It was wonderful. You showed my most favorite car of all time. The '63 Corvette Stingray. I was just 6 years old when this car came out. I saw it first at a Chevy dealership in my home town when My Dad took me to go look at cars. I couldn't keep from touching it. It silver with black interior. It got me started loving cars. He was trading his '60 Bubble top Biscayne for a '63 Chevy, but he got a better deal at the Ford dealership on a new Galaxie 500xl Sports roof. Plus my mother loved the look and the Red on Red.
Thank you for showcasing one of my favorite car parts!👍
I own a 1965 Bonneville Convertible with bucket seats and console shift. It has the same interior (parchment white). I was not aware that the translucent steering wheels could be tinted. Mine has a nearly crystal clear one as it has the bright mayfair maize color. By the way: the steering wheel had a bigger diameter from the left to the right than from top to bottom. It was not a perfect circle. I agree: The 65 Pontiac was the most enjoyable and comfortable ride I ever experienced .
The steering wheel of the gorgeus 59 Impala is very similar to the one on my 63 Impala and even of my 63 Corvair Monza 900.
The first very special steering wheel that jumped in my mind was the one of the Citroen DS. An iconic thing. Very nice video!
Adam,
What a fascinating and interesting choice in subjects to cover. Your choice of unique steering wheels was incredibly well described and depicted.
I'm always amazed at the many glorious color choices available for car interiors back then. Especially when Production Control ordering and inventory was done manually in the 1950s and probably via room-sized computers fed with punch cards in the 1960s... then magically produced on the assembly line.
Makes one wonder why today (with today's expensive vehicles and auto companies' powerful computers) we only seem to have the choice of black, gray or beige. No wonder so many of us remember the "good old days" with fondness. JJS
You pretty much got it right! I would put the GM deep-dish of the early 60's above the Edsel, but that's just my personal favorite.
The Pontiac 6000 steering wheel was a blatant ripoff of the steering wheel that Porsche used in the 928, the 944, the 911, and the 959 back in the '80's.
Great video!
That Lincoln steering wheel is absolutely timeless! Truly a beautiful wheel! The Citroen wheel I always found odd, not to my tastes. We had a DS.19 and a DS.21. Cars that were so ugly they were cool! The technology in them was something else though!
Another great review! Thanks Adam
Glad the DS got a mention, that was a weird and quirky wheel, one of my favorite cars all around.
Yeah, you have good taste in those choices! Steering wheels with clocks or buttons were always modern and cool! I knew you were going to mention the 61 Olds and the futuristic way it protrudes forward.l bought the str. wheel just to put one on my Chevy. Also, the Citroen with the one spoke will look futuristic forever!
Thank you for making Edsel number one. I think if Ford had mounted the shift motor in a different spot I would have worked better. But they mounted it between the transmission and the exhaust system.
Adam you are my spiritual brother..I grew up worshiping these cars starting with the 1960 Buick Electra(Grandpa had) I'm surprised I didn't get shot, going into neighbor's driveways gawking at/into their cars !
Love those 60 Buick dashboards!! Very imaginative with the mirror reflecting the speedo. I had an Invicta coupe and just loved that dash!!
I think you did a good job rating the steering wheels, Adam. I like them all. The Edsel's push button gear selector on the steering hub was pretty amazing, but I think for overall visual effect, I like the '61 Imperial wheel a bit better. Amazing styling.
A nice steering wheel that didn't make the list was the 4th gen. ('64-6) Thunderbird wheels, with their tall pad/cushion in the hub. With the right color combination, it was a neat effect, which was even further enhanced by the swing away steering column, but those steering wheels didn't age well. The pads would distort after several years and become discolored/worn looking from use. Also, the horn buttons stopped making reliable electrical connection after a while, at least on my car. (Yes, I cleaned and sanded the contacts.) I changed out my original wheel with a decent quality aftermarket unit (it looks a lot like the Corvette wheel you showed.) It's even nicer looking than the original...and now the horn works!
65 Pontiac Bonny. My parents had both a sedan and a wagon, one for dad for work and one for mom to haul the 5 kids in. Brand spankin new. Now that was stylin!!!!! Thanks for the memory. I love your channel!!!
I want to make a general observation...
Compared to virtually every other foreign car maker, American cars not only had multiple interior colors and even vinyl tops on the lowest of cars, like Mavericks and Pintos, they had interesting steering wheels even compared to Rolls Royce and Mercedes-Benz...
For God's sake, even into the 80's the steering wheels on Rolls-Royces looked like they came off of forklifts!!
Two favorite steering wheels of mine from when I was growing up are 1) '69 - '70 Full size Dodges , Plymouths , & Chryslers with the three spoke steering wheel that's got two horn rings at the bottom and is triangle shaped in the middle , with the Chryslers having it's logo in the middle , but the Dodges & Plymouths being bare . My next favorite is 2) '69 - '72 Chevy & GMC Truck steering wheels that were the same color as the rest of the interior and kind of had , from what I remember , a rough texture across the middle of the wheel and on the horn button .
Yay Mazda steering wheel ! I got a 2015 Mazda 6. Best car I ever had. Make sure ya show 1960 buick steering wheel ! 😉 ( Or any 1960 GM Steering wheels)
I'll take '59 any make. Some really great looking cars for that year. They all did some rad designs in 59
Good choices. I remember driving my Grandmother's baby blue '61 Imperial Quite a treat! At one point I test drove a '61 Oldsmobile. Unfortunately, it was a rusty scupper, you might say. Did not buy it. A neighbor had a '58 Edsel for a time. Apparently that cured him as his next car was a Rambler American.
Yes, yes, yes as to the '65 Pontiacs. Pure mid-century modern perfection, inside and out.
I agree with you, the Citroen is the most elegantly simple design for a steering wheel. EVER!! Its just beautiful!! Your list is great too, but I think you left out a couple. The early 50s GM cars came with an optional Butterfly wheel. It was slightly different with the model, but its gorgeous!! You also left out the Ford Banjo wheel from the 30s. The only other interesting one is the 40s Oldsmobile art deco one. There are aftermarket wheels from the 20s that the ring swings away. It's called a Fatman wheel. Interesting, but not factory. Great video!!
We had 1974 formula 400 with a deluxe black three bar with holes steering wheel.!🇺🇲👍😊
GM has lost something by doing away with its divisions. The competition between them made for better cars, overall. Love your channel.
21:50 I remember my _grandmother,_ who _never_ said anything bad about _anything,_ saying that "it looks like they forgot the headlights, and had to add them later," (or something close to that). The point was, she thought the were an "after thought."
Hi Adam; Now that good weather is here please can you show us some of your own vehicle collection? I love your Pontiacs.
I say you did a darn fine job! I'd add the 1974 Ford Thunderbird with its two spoke, "Rim-Blow" steering wheel, the 1975-76 Lincoln with its "Bent Spoke" luxury wheel, and the '75 Imperial with its "Luxury Cushion" steering wheel. Fine work as always, Adam!
My favorite Impala years are 55,58,59, and 68. They were all unique.
Adam, yours is a wonderful channel! You cover so many amazing topics and bring back lots of great memories. Just in case you’re not aware of a great book, may I recommend Engines of Change by Paul Ingrassia. It’s interesting to read about the history of the automobile and how there are parallels with today’s car manufacturers.
The DeSoto is a fantastic looking car. Clock in the center of the steering wheel is awesome ! I've always thought the Edsel was a really great looking car !
Haha, I like that "Das" is talking about getting shots from a remote camera before you're even there to get the card, basically the the next stage of instantaneousness, as compared to grabbing the card vs. the _really_ old days of getting _film_ and developing and then printing (and maybe even scanning) it! But it would still be fun to have some photos that _are_ on film, just for the effect without any look simulation.
Love the old Fords and Mercurys with the rim blow horn switch. It takes getting used to so you do not cause the horn to blow when doing hand over hand turns. Thanks for a great video!
The best of the bunch you presented are the '65 Pontiac followed by the '61 Oldsmobile. You bypassed my favorite, the '66 Newport, but so it goes.
Like them all !❤
What a fun video, Adam! I'm not sure I have a favorite one, but you certainly chose a list of great contenders.
Very well done
that 61 imperial steering wheel and dash is down right fun!
I owned a '62 Olds 88 and the steering wheel was nearly identical to the '61, except it had the "new" rocket emblem in the hub. I had many positive comments about how cool the steering wheel appeared. Great show!
What a great idea for content dam, Bravo!!!!!! Great video also as is your normal, always great content!!
Wow, this was nice to watch!
I love the color of that Packard. Not wild about the steering wheel.
We had a 60 Impala 2-door in white with red houndstooth interior and a 283
#6. The steering wheel on your 1965 Pontiac compares favorably with Cadillac's two-spoke design that year (for non-tilt wheel cars), but Pontiac gets the nod for its use of walnut veneer. That said, I think the steering wheel for the 1964 full-size Pontiacs is more gorgeous. I particularly love the 1964's horn ring, which was deleted on the 1965 edition.
Chevy used this wheel exclusively on Impalas from 1958 through 1960. The wheel is so popular that an aftermarket reproduced it in a slightly smaller diameter. It was popular with car customizers for use in other cars and trucks.
Great video!
I always liked the 3 spoke steering wheel in my 78' Olds Regency I bought in 2001'
I understand Edsels unicontrol HVAC idea! They were trying to replicate the newly established central HVAC systems that new homes had in the 1950's with the round Honeywell thermostat! That one round dial controlled both Heating an Air-conditioning!
My grandfather had a 1938 Olds. All in all, his favorite of all his cars. He also had a 1958 DeSoto Firedome. It didn't have the clock in the hub, but there was the DeSoto logo with a kind of 3-D effect. Beautiful car. As for the 1959 Chevy Impala, that wheel was beautiful. It did not come on our 1960 Biscayne, however, and your criticism of the low seating for those two years was correct. It was uncomfortable for me, and i was 7 years old at the time! But it was as reliable as sunrise.
14:20 As a kid, I really liked that the gauges were angled toward the driver. Somehow, I thought that was the ULTIMATE cool.
Great video. You didn't mention the fact the Edsel speedometer is not only in the center, but it also a horizontal circle - a very curious design by modern standards.
Back in the late 1970s my first girlfriends parents drove a 1967 Catalina wagon I still remember the steering wheel center that had letters spelling out energy absorbing.
Wow. I’d like own and drive all these cars.
So glad you picked the 65 Pontiac Bonneville. As a kid I can remember my grandfathers steering wheel and thinking it was made of glass haha. Later I would find out it was not. I loved the his instrument panel.
You nailed it Adam! Agreed Easel’s #1 Love the info and the cars! In modern day, Grand Marquis 4 spoke 88through91 were one of my favorites, probably cause I drove the tar out of it!! Lol
1. 1969 Pontiac soft rim, three horn button standard steering wheel especially in the Grand Prix.
2. 1960 Chrysler 300 F steering wheel.
3. 1967 Buick standard three spoke steering wheel.
4. 1963 Corvette steering wheel.
5. 1961 Lincoln Continental steering wheel.
6. 1967 Cadillac steering wheel.
7. 1966 Thunderbird with Cruise Control.
8. 1967 Cougar/Mustang flower pot, three spoke steering wheel.
9. 1971 Continental MK III Rim Blow steering wheel.
10. 1961 Imperial steering wheel.
This is my daily driver all original ,59k the seat uppholestry still shines! The 413 is a torque monster but still very smooth
Finally I was waiting for your top ten of steering wheels...I'm not being funny either
The steering wheel on the DeSoto @10:09 looks very like the airliner and bomber control yokes of the time, if you ignore the thin white part at the top. Plus the clock at the hub is where pilots would put their stopwatches for time-and-distance calculations.