Steering wheel spinners

[bigd1101]

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

 

[joe 1950]

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

 

[51504bat]

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

 

[tubman]

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

 

[5851a]

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.

 

[jayvee34]

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

 

[Ford Freak]

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

 

[19Fordy]

Here's an interesting thread about them.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/why-are-suicide-knobs-called-so.321496/

 

[Brendan]

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

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!

 

[5851a]

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

 

[Merc Cruzer]

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.

 

[Rodrelic]

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

 

[Kube]

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

 

[mercman from oz]

Neat "Mercury" Steering Wheel Spinner.

 

[51504bat]

Always thought they were illegal in CA but Mr. Google tells me otherwise. But he has been known to be wrong. 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.

 

[5851a]

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2017/07/04/a-valiant-effort-1947-oldsmobile-66 quite a read but pretty amazing the thought that went into the cars. Sounds like a spinner was included.

 

[50fordcoupeman]

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

 

[V8COOPMAN]

Neat "Mercury" Steering Wheel Spinner.

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

.

 

[Tim Ayers]

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!

 

[Rodrelic]

Old construction phase photo