To call a steering wheel a memorable item on a modern car, is an unlikely occurrence. Sure, some are nicely designed. But most serve as nothing more than platform for too many buttons and a means to convey the vague essence of modern power steering tuning. There was a time though, when a steering wheel was another space for a designer to show some skill. Goodwood has taken a look back at some of history’s terrific tillers.
This list starts right where you expect it should. The Citroën DS is called out for its singular spoke design. This is a style that carried on through to other parts of the Citroën lineup. Eventually, of course, modern requirements and packaging forced a change to a more contemporary and necessary look. But for a time, Citroën hung on to its wonderful weirdness for as long as possible.
Goodwood’s list continues on to feature a mix of oddball concept steering wheels and beautiful production units. Be it a Nardi fitted to a Ferrari 250 GT Lusso, or Subaru’s excellent setup in the XT, you’ll find a bit of something for everyone here.
Head over to the Goodwood page to read a bit more about these amazing steering wheels. And find out about the one posted above. It’s from a Bertone-designed concept car built for Lamborghini. The Lamborghini Athon, which boasted a 3.0-liter V8 engine, fully independent suspension, and magnesium wheels, also had one hell of a steering wheel setup.
The Lambo concept wheel pictured shows a fair bit of wear – what are the chances it A) has had a lot of use, or B) was never designed to last beyond the show where it was first displayed? I’m leaning towards B…
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The Lambo concept wheel pictured shows a fair bit of wear – what are the chances it A) has had a lot of use, or B) was never designed to last beyond the show where it was first displayed? I’m leaning towards B…
Early Lambo interiors look like a high school shop project built in a shed, but covered in fine Italian Leather. The one time I got an up close look at a Countach interior, I realized that the stock Fiero interior in the kit cars was actually better.
The Guinness Book of Worlds Records Museum in Gatlinburg had a Countach
for the public to get in and take pics. Above the car was the 1987 60
Minutes video where Morely Safer goes 200mph. The interior just fell
apart.