Why Is The Ignition Key On The Left?

[JTO]

is there a reason for it? Just curious.

Troy

[Joe Bob]

Rumor has it....so that the race car drivers could start the engine and cram it in gear at the same time.....

[JTO]

Mike,

I read the same thing. Just wanted confirmation.
Troy

[HarryD]

Think about the original start to LeMans when the drivers had the run to their cars, key in hand, to get in and start the beast. Supposedly Porsche drivers could start the car while they were still getting seated.

[Stanley]

Whenever I have other people drive the 911, I don't them that the ignition is on the left. It's just to much fun watching them search for it. I bet the same thing goes for Saab drivers too!

[bell]

MY best explanation as to why it's one the left (reguardless what the real reason is) is so that the female in the passenger seat won't try to grab them should she "panic"

[cstreit]

Lemans, because the gear shift is on the right.

[HarryD]

Originally posted by cstreit
Lemans, because the gear shift is on the right.

What!!!!

They use the starter motor to power around the track???!!!!!

[cstreit]

Hey, Hi-torque starters!

[obrut]

I thought it was simply an "outside" thing as the key is on the right in RHD cars...

Ryan (all the way from Australia)

79 930 - street
73 RS replica - no street

[john walker's workshop]

did they spring load the door to close on it's own? gotta save time at lemans. saves time at the shop too, so you can nab that fresh parking spot that someone just vacated. parking wars!

[Ray 911s]

If they wanted to save time, they should've made the d*** think bigger, too! I'm just no good getting the key in the slot with my left hand.

[nostatic]

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

semper sinisterus

[Supergranule]

maybe, at le mans when there were starting the car and putting in in gear at the same time, they wouldnt' have to worry about closing the door...once they take off, the door would close from the g forces!!

[howie944]

Watching the movie LeMans, if you listen to the track announcer's speech in the background he states this particular race is the first year that the foot race to the cars was eliminated. Rumor has it that sometimes the drivers would do 3 or 4 laps before they got to putting on their seat belt. I have also heard that the reason for the left hand key position was for the LeMans foot race type starts. Hand on key and hand on shifter. Since all 911s were considered to be almost race ready cars from the factory the key position was maintained.

[TomTurtle]

According to the VCR tape that came with my '97 Carrera, its so the Porsche drivers competing at LeMans could start the car and put it into gear at nearly the same time for a quicker start. As I recall , the narrator was Capt. Picard from Star Trek:Next generation fame; so you know this must be true!

[Garyo4]

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

Guess that goes for the flush lever on the toilet tank too?

Regards,
Gary

[reesestewww]

Originally posted by Stanley
Whenever I have other people drive the 911,

What is this???? Phewww......man....you feelin' okay???

[PDACPA]

Nostatic got it right! Lefties Rule!

But I always heard the LeMans so that they could start the engine and have a hand on the shifter all at once.

[cmelecci]

Why not just a starter button? or did they need a key to unlock the door before getting in?
Carl