!955 Chevy Biscayne concept car (Page 2): Hey, Reuss. Sounds like you know all about the Corvair and oversteer. I found out the hard way. Like I told Jack in a different post, I put a...

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Reuss Griffiths wrote:

It looks like a cross of a Corvette and a Corvair. Do you know if it was rear-engine, like the Corvair? If it was, you'd need a steering wheel that size to deal with the oversteer. Had a 62 and you really needed to watch out on cornering.

Hey, Reuss. Sounds like you know all about the Corvair and oversteer. I found out the hard way. Like I told Jack in a different post, I put a Corvair through a beautiful pirouette the first time I drove one. It was my first experience in a rear drive car. The road wasn't really wet but in had morning due on it and that didn't help. That thing went around on me so quick, i wasn't sure what happened. Thank goodness, I didn't hit anything, It never left the road.

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Curmudgeon wrote:

They were called a suicide knob. In the days of bench front seats and no seat belts they allowed you to steer the car with your left hand while your right arm was around your girl friend who was snuggled up against you. Ah the good old days

Why you scoundrel. You stole my line. I was going to admit that the reason I put that knob on the wheel was for the very reason you mentioned. I didn't mention it because I didn't want people to think I was just another sex-craving teenager.

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Manglesphoto wrote:

Great set of images!!!

Thanks, Frank.

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dpullum wrote:

Makes one wonder why a beautiful concept car like this was not put into production.

You know, that's a good issue to discuss. The lead time for production of cars can be several years down the road from when final design and such have been set. Gearing up with the right tooling, setting up parts supply lines, a whole hosts of considerations enter the picture. The manufacturers don't have a crystal ball to work with and they worry a lot about market acceptance of new ideas. They get real conservative and it tempers their decisions about what to bring to the market and when to do it.

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Irvingite Charles wrote:

Thanks. I appreciate you looking in.

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mvetrano2 wrote:

nice

Thank you.

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

Curmudgeon wrote:

They were called a suicide knob. In the days of bench front seats and no seat belts they allowed you to steer the car with your left hand while your right arm was around your girl friend who was snuggled up against you. Ah the good old days

I delivered papers in my 56 Chevy and had one of those knobs so could throw papers with one hand while steering around curves and corners with the other using that knob.

Stan

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

black mamba wrote:

When we were all yacking about these things, I could not find the files I wanted. I found them and and here they are. I think the car is very attractive.

Look at the size of that steering wheel in the last shot. You could have steered the Titanic away from the iceberg with that thing.

Nice shot.

MosheR Loc: New York City

black mamba wrote:

When we were all yacking about these things, I could not find the files I wanted. I found them and and here they are. I think the car is very attractive.

Look at the size of that steering wheel in the last shot. You could have steered the Titanic away from the iceberg with that thing.

Great photos of beautiful cars, Tom.

Mustanger Loc: Grants Pass, Oregon USA

dpullum wrote:

Makes one wonder why a beautiful concept car like this was not put into production.

Well it kinda was, the grill went into the Corvette along with the side panels. The rear went into the Corvair & the chrome inside roof bars into several cars. Lots of styling ideas that were being tried out looks like. I like it. Walt

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

black mamba wrote:

It's like I told Jack. I had a '55 Chevy ( and a '57 later on...both my mom's hand-me-downs ) and I just don't remember those steering wheels being so large. But, obviously, they were. I do remember putting this knob gizmo on the wheel so you could turn it with one hand more easily.

Usually the larger steering wheels cost more. The attachment you describe was called a suicide knob. See what being older than dirt remembers.

Tote1940 Loc: Dallas

Yes! Those gorgeous Chevys 55-57 needed muscle to parallel park but my Mom did it
Worm gear no power steering but fairly skinny tires
Very few cars with Power steering
Dad had 55 Bel Air

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

I think it is a great looking car, Mamba.

JFP

The steering wheel appears to be pretty much standard size for the day.

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J-SPEIGHT wrote:

Nice shot.

Thanks Jack.