I'm curious if there was ever an option to permanently extend the length of a Corvair steering column to make the steering wheel rest closer to the driver. The picture below was taken of a 1966 Monza. The steering column had been replaced by the prior owner and I'm trying to understand if it is not a Corvair column, or if there was an extension added to a stock Corvair steering column. Note the gap between the turn signal switch and the steering wheel.

Thomas Ratliff
Abilene, Texas
'65 Fitch Sprint
'66 Corsa Coupe - modified twin turbo "Snowball"
ThomasMRatliff@GMAIL.com

That looks like a late-model, wood wheel hub. The wood wheel has less dish so the hub is longer to compensate.

Craig N. Coeur d'Alene ID.
66 Black Monza 4dr, 4.2L V8 49k
61 Seamist Jade Rampside 140 PG
65 Canadian Monza 4dr 110/PG 40k
66 Sprint Corsa convt - First car! Re-purchased 43 years later
2+2 gnatsuM 5691

+17 Tons of parts

That's exactly what that is! Craig nailed it.

Craig is correct.
Most of the time there is a question of moving the steering wheel away for clearance. For safety, one does not want the steering wheel too close to the driver, be it a modern car or vintage. With air=bag equipped cars, too colse can be deadly!

Here is a test:
The seat should be adjusted so that the drivers wrists rest comfortably on the top of the steering wheel, about 11:00 and 1:00 position. The elbows should be slightly bent. This is considered the proper position when driving a car.

Corventure Dave

You gentlemen answered my question very well. Thank you. I appreciate your responses and am thankful for our cool Corvair Center Forum.

"The seat should be adjusted so that the drivers wrists rest comfortably on the top of the steering wheel, about 11:00 and 1:00 position. The elbows should be slightly bent. This is considered the proper position when driving a car."

Posted by Corventure Dave

If you are referring to where your hands should be placed while driving, it's actually at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock. Ask any race car driver.

-Mark

Today they're teaching 8 & 4 so your arms don't interfere with airbag deployment so that pretty much covers the options doesn't it?

Craig N. Coeur d'Alene ID.
66 Black Monza 4dr, 4.2L V8 49k
61 Seamist Jade Rampside 140 PG
65 Canadian Monza 4dr 110/PG 40k
66 Sprint Corsa convt - First car! Re-purchased 43 years later
2+2 gnatsuM 5691

+17 Tons of parts

Hand position is when driving. "Wrist" position is for proper seat to wheel adjustment.

Corventure Dave

Mark, since you asked ....as a former Bondurant instructor...

The proper location is close to where it is stated in the 4th post, with a 120 degree included bend in the arms.

Some drivers like 10 and 2 o'clock as a variation.

This position provides the proper leverage and the ability to perform both quick steering corrections and also not be fatigued at the end of 30 to 40 minute race session.

YM [ and lap times ] MV

Bob C aka Dryenko
Dobson, NC 27017

All I can say to that, Craig, is how many race cars do you know have air bags?

The 9-3 position actually gives one the best geometric leverage point on the wheel, which is why it has been the historically preferred position. Air bags are a recent invention, so maybe accomodations are now needed.

As for me I'll hold it whereever I can get the best grip.

-Mark

Well in that case, Dr Yenko, all I can say is that there seems to be a wide open field of opinions there. But then again, considering the oddly spoked wheels they're putting on modern cars, I'll have to stick to whereever I can get a grip on those strange things.

BTW, I loved the thumb notch wheel on my Fiero GT so much that after the car had an unfortunate incident with a deer, I took it off and made a shelf trophy out of it.

-Mark

All I can say is I do not like being right on top of the steering wheel..........I have seen people who drive like that and if you are in an accident you can most assuredly hurt your face on the steering wheel rim.

Lee J

One hand at 12:00 leaned back with no expression.

Rod Tetrault
El Cajon , CA
65 Corsa Yenko Clone / 65 Corsa EO Creampuff Vert
66 Corsa "JIMISH" Mid engine Turbo LS1 currently 2nd fastest Corvair in the USA
Corvair powered Buggy x 3
Enough hidden parts to build a space ship

I have my seat positioned back where I can manipulate the pedals, then I adjust steering column where I am not reaching for the wheel. This keeps me away from the windshield, steering wheel, and airbag.

I can rest my left fore arm on my leg and grasp wheel with left hand at 7:30 position. Depends on time of day if it is the am or pm position. Right hand use is restricted to turns requiring significant rotation that my left hand can't do alone. Other than that my right hand is holding my wife's hand.

Al
Georgia

I actually have in my possession, a modified 66 steering column. The previous owner of the car extended the column enough so he could install a flat steering wheel instead of a dished one. The spline part has also been changed to a more modern, larger spline. 80's Camaro?

Anyone interested in it for $50 plus shipping?

Left foot out the window. Head tilted back. Sun visor always down. Right hand at 4:00 with thumb on outside of wheel. Left little finger inserted in nose! Choice of nostril is optional! Eventual is inevitable.



Corventure Dave

Since this thread has taken a different direction than the original question.
I wish my 2011 GMC had a telescoping column. I am 5"6" and if I sit comfortably and place the steering wheel correctly, my feet don't reach the pedals.

Steve Morton
1961 Rampside,
63 vert,
64 coupe,
65 EO vert,
67,
#0003 1969

Morton's Classic Garage
Parts and Service
Nampa, Idaho 83686
60+ Corvairs and 4 semi trailers full
of parts

Mortonsclassicgarage@gmail.com
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This brings up another question: Has anyone INSTALLED a 'different steering column' in a Corvair? How about something built after 2000???

At 6' and 'a little heaver than I was when the Corvair was new' I find the "space" between the factory steering wheel and me is a little tighter than I remember (4-Door with driver's seat all the way back). That means I need the column 'shortened' to feel comfortable driving long distances.

Interesting feature on my Towncar is a motor driven 'assembly' that the Brake and Accelerator Pedals are attached to so once you get the seat/wheel distance set you can move the Pedals so you can reach them.

My wife is 5' 3" and has to pull the driver's seat in her Pontiac forward to reach the pedals which puts her too close to the steering wheel!

Interesting things to consider!!

Regards,

Dale

Dale E. Smiley CPBE
Life Member The Society of Broadcast Engineers
RETIRED Broadcast Engineer
CERTIFIED CORVAIR NUT
CORSA/Circle City Corvairs/Corvair Performance Group
Avon, Indiana
WB9SFF
1967 4-Door Monza PG!

Look in our FAQ's "seat Extenders" easy to fab.... Vendors sell them as well.


You are not alone!!! ggg

MODERATOR
Sea Mountain, between Charleston Harbor and Coos Bay! SW Oregon Coast
Click HERE for My Website...Click HERE for My TechPages!
...............110-PG.................................................Webered-Turbo

Virginia driver's manual was changed to 8 and 4 o'clock positions to help eliminate all the single vehicle crashes that result from over-correcting by whipping the steering wheel too far in modern cars with their quick ratio steering. It also gets the hands out of the way of the air bag.

SO, Corvair drivers and race car drivers, continue to do as you learned back in the day, this new stuff does not apply to you!

Page 13:

[www.dmv.virginia.gov]

Frank DuVal

Fredericksburg, VA