Canted steering wheel

[gugel]

Does anyone know why the steering column in the Pagoda is not parallel to the drive shaft, etc?  The steering wheel is also closer to the dash on the left than on the right (left hand drive car).  Was there a problem in routing the steering column, or was it to make entrance and exit a bit easier (a smaller wheel might have helped ;-)


Chris

[George Des]

Heard before that this is a safety feature in the event of an accident the steering shaft is less likely to be driven directly back at the driver.

[69280sl]

I have heard...Because it is a large wheel, canting it the way it is makes getting in and out of the car easier.

Gus

[66andBlue]

.... make entrance and exit a bit easier (a smaller wheel might have helped ;-)

But without power steering a smaller wheel would have made it if even harder for the "weaker sex" to drive one.

[kampala]

Some modern Mercedes have canted steering wheels even though the steering wheels are smaller ... the steering wheel on my w210 (E320 wagon)  is closer to the dash by about 25mm on the window side.  I never really noticed it until I saw it on the Pagoda and then realized that my wagon also has this. 

[wwheeler]

I am glad this was brought up. I have always wondered if my W111 steering column was installed incorrectly. It also cants to the left by about an inch. I can sleep better now that another old car mystery has been put to bed.

What other models have this and when did it start/end?

[Benz Dr.]

190SL is also canted a bit and I remember a 356 is like that as well.