Why Is The Ignition Key On The Left?

[widebody911]

Because the ignition switch is on the left.

[Crachian]

Le Mans?

Is that the same reason the ignition switch is on the left in my '71 F250?

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally posted by nostatic
because left-handed people are superior. Porsche was just catering to the chosen few...those worthy of driving their cars.

semper sinisterus

Finally someone who understands...

How 'bout this...

When I was hired, I reported to a guy who was left-handed. His boss was left-handed. And HIS boss was left handed.

Great minds think alike...

[jhugh]

When I first drove a 911, I stalled it at an intersection. Pretty embarrassing with the salesguy in the car. He was German, with a very thick accent. As I searched fussily for the ignition he said in an extremely snotty/haughty German accent:

"In Porsche it's on left-hand side"

I just loved that. Now whenever someone drives me car I say the same thing, the same way.

The Saab ignition location is just obnoxious. My wife hates it, isn't used to it after a year of driving the car. Also a nice expensive place to spill coffee.

Cheers,

[catuck]

I have often wondered this. I get confused everytime I get in a car! My Saab is on the floor between the seats, Porsche on the left, and my pickup is on the column. Glad I don't have a Camry, they're on the dash to the right of the wheel!

[catuck]

Hugh,

I was told that it's in this location in the Saab for safety reasons. So that in a collision, you have less to hit with your knees. The other pain with Saabs is it has to be in reverse to take the key out. Every time I get my oil changed, the key is in and on because the tech. couldn't figure out how to get the #@$% thing out!

[tobluforu]

The Saab key positioning is a reverse lockout feature. Pull key out and it locks the transmision in r. Try to steal car without key and force shifter results in a broken bushing which renders the car undrivable. A bear to fix, but better than getting your car stolen. It's also a great place to store crumbs that need to be vacuumed out every month or key will not work. Do not lend your car to a friend without telling them about this feature.
Oh yeah, One of the reasons I bought my porsche is because of the key position- I loved it when I was a kid driving around in my friends dad's porsche-no other car was like this which was "cool"!

[zymurgist]

I remember my dad used to have a '65 356C. It had a lock down on the shifter but I don't think it was the ignition.

[TSNAPCRACKLEPOP]

blueskyjaunte???? do you work in a meat cutting / butcher shop operation? in college, my part time job was cleaning the butcher shop, and when i was offered a cutting job as a promotion, i thought of all the butchers i knew who were missing......parts....and declined the offer! so, do all these lefties have righties?????????????