9. Swing Steering Wheel
On the 1961 Thunderbird, Ford offered something completely revolutionary: A Swing-Away Steering Wheel. The steering wheel was created out of the understanding that sometimes getting in and out of the car could be a pain if you were carrying groceries, a briefcase or a purse. The bags would have to squeeze past the steering wheel, often getting caught in the process. It was easily solved by just putting the bags in the car before getting in, but Ford thought they would make it even easier. The Swing-Away Steering Wheel was designed to be moved 10.5 inches to the right making the space for the driver to enter the car substantially bigger.
It was so popular on the 1961 Thunderbird that it became the standard feature on the 1962 model. It was also added to the Ford Galaxie in 1963, but by 1966 the Swing-Away Steering Wheel was no longer being offered on any Ford models. It was instead replaced with the Tilt-Away Steering Wheel which was fully automatic. It would get out of the way when the door was opened and then moved back when the door was closed. The driver could also move it manually. The change was necessary so that the steering wheel could meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. The idea was popular while it lasted but never really moved to all makes and models of cars. GM did offer a Tilt Steering Wheel option for their 1963 Cadillac and there was a Vertically Adjustable Steering Wheel Column for the Lincoln. The 1966 Lincoln redesign featured the Tilt Steering Wheel. These designs continued into the 70s. Some of the most popular features of the movable steering wheels was when they began offering different positions so that the driver could pick the best steering wheel position for their personal comfort.