I heard that they were called Suicide Knobs cause you could get messed up if your jacket sleve got caught up in them? Adam
I was told years ago that they were called "suicide knobs" as well by my dad who had them on his trucks. When backing up you could turn quicker when backing trailers up, before power steering. But coat and shirt sleeves would get caught if you didn't pay attention. We had them on tractors as well and if you caught a rut wrong the wheel would spin out of your hand with the knob catching your knuckles on the way around. They are illegal up here but maybe broken hands would keep some idiots off the road.
i know from experience, the cheap ones will break with a little use. not a pleasant situation if you are taking a turn and have your right arm on the seat back or grabbing a gear, as the suicide knob comes loose in your left hand, of course while taking a turn, the second or two it takes you to react and drop the knob and grab the wheel will have you in the ditch or oncoming traffic.
They would get caught in guys shirt sleeves and cause them to loose control Hence the suicide knob name. They are illegal in this state too. Nice in a farm rig though.
I just ordered one for my 27 - even with a 13½" wheel, there's scant room between my knee the wheel and the door. Just decided that a necker's knob would be just about right at two o'clock when I need to turn quickly. Ultimately my goal is to modify the height of the column a little bit so there's a bit more clearance. "difference between your wife as a passenger in the hot rod and the cam gear drive? - The cam drive quits whining when you park" dj
Only picture I have available at work. I use one on my roadster and while driving it rest's about 4:30 which is where my arm can rest on my leg and hold er steady at road speeds.
Got one on my 57 GMC 4:30 position inside wheel Its a Gennie brand very HD lots of choices in fact all their shift knobs fit it. Got it from SoCal Speed Shop-Az good people check out Gennie Shifter web site
They sre illegal in Cal. NAPA auto parts list them in their catalog. We have a few in the warehouse in Fontucky.
I just got one for my '66 (my power steering went out and trying to drive without it is damn near impossible!). I found mine at Tractor Supply, VERY INEXPENSIVE!!! I think it was $10.00? They have multiple ones that say heavy duty with heavy duty bearings in them. Also have several colors, just an idea for anyone looking for one. They aren't quite as kool as some of the ones on here, but are priced right and work. The one I got was black bakelite plastic (per the package) with a chrome center, very nostalgic looking!
Legal for people that are handicap as well. Been pulled over few times and never had a problem. I think if cops made this a priority we would have a very messed up police system.
The cheap ones will fall apart .The knob will break off. Ones made in the 50s are heavy duty or from a tractor supply are good. Illegal in al most all states.Seems to be a cool thing with the r crowd lately.
nice knob collection i have a 1939 or 1940 chevrolet accessory spinner wheel it has one built into it
When I was a kid, they were "necker knobs" as mentioned above, drive with left hand on wheel and other arm on girl. Had one on a 2 ton 51 chevy farm truck that helped at low speeds, but as mentioned above by several, it could get caught on sleeve, and hitting a pothole that sent the wheel around, if you didn't have your hand on it, or a good grip elsewhere, you could get smacked. JC whitney and Warshawsky used to advertise some with "hollywood features" which was code for girlie pictures under a flip cap that you could lift, if that floated your boat. Like the MM one mentioned above probably. I saw industrial strength ones a short while back at Farm 'n' Fleet, similiar to Tractor Supply. Theyr'e also helpful on forklifts, but the wheel is usually lower and more horiziontal on those vehicles.
nice collection, have you added any new ones? im fascinated by all the designs iv seen.. i really dig the flip top model i saw with a clock in it the other day... was very cool.. guess rare too. not been able to find any info on the net.. more info about clock in the steering wheel than the brody knob clock. chris.
I had one on my 57 Chev at the 10 O'clock position so I could hold the wheel with my left arm and my female companion with my right.
I put one on my riding mower,love it.Got it at Sears and is a Craftsman (big deal ) but does look cool.......................YG
Traditional yes... But try bumping a curb or pot hole unexpectedly, the knob becomes a spinning hammer.
Got one at 2 o'clock on my 53 AD. I love it, only problem is when I do a full turn, sometimes it hits my belly. Was a guy some years ago that sold vintage ones at the Portland Swap Meet. He had hunerts!
I've got one on my model A. I did SGI vehice inspections up until 5 years ago, and carry a copy of the vehickle equipment regulations act. I couldn't find it anywhere in that document that said it is illegal, but I have heard that for years too. I have been stopped by police before too and he never mentioned anything, but then again maybe wasn't paying close attention. Again though, I couldn't find anything saying we couldn't have them.
The Jalopy Journal
