Ignition switch is on the left, why?
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Ignition switch is on the left, why?
Any one know why the ignition switch is on the left side? The only other car that know that has this is the 911 Porsche. They have it for faster starting in racing since you shift with your right and start with your left, same idea with Ford?
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2005
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From: Spokane, WA
Ford's large cars had ignitions on the left through 1962 and the trucks through 1972. Most other manufacturers had switched to the right in the 50's. No clue why it took Ford so long.
Last edited by jhooch; Nov 7, 2010 at 11:06 PM. Reason: spelling
Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Having the ignition switch on the left side of the dash was...at one time, a convenience. After unlocking the left door, the same key could easily be placed in the ignition cylinder.
At one time, there were no left door lock cylinders on passenger cars or trucks. People unlocked the right door, then slide across the seat. Back then, the switch was conveniently located to the right of the column.
1951 was the first year Ford offered a left door lock cylinder on trucks, but only on the 5 Star Deluxe Cabs. All 1953 and later Custom Cabs have it, but it was an option on Standard Cabs thru 1961.
jhooch: 1973 and later F100/350's have the switch to the right of the column, but F500 and larger trucks until didn't have it there until 1980.
At one time, there were no left door lock cylinders on passenger cars or trucks. People unlocked the right door, then slide across the seat. Back then, the switch was conveniently located to the right of the column.
1951 was the first year Ford offered a left door lock cylinder on trucks, but only on the 5 Star Deluxe Cabs. All 1953 and later Custom Cabs have it, but it was an option on Standard Cabs thru 1961.
jhooch: 1973 and later F100/350's have the switch to the right of the column, but F500 and larger trucks until didn't have it there until 1980.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Wouldn't it be great to live in a time again when our vehicles didn't require locked doors. 
John
John
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Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
I'm afraid those days are gone, John.
There was a time once...when people parked their cars, didn't lock them and left the keys in the igntion.
There was also a time when people didn't lock their homes.
There was a time once...when people parked their cars, didn't lock them and left the keys in the igntion.
There was also a time when people didn't lock their homes.
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"Good ole Days"
I think those days ended around 1959 with the murders of Herbert Clutter, a wealthy farmer from Holcomb, Kansas, and his wife and two of their children at their farmhouse who did not lock the front door. Repeated recently in Florida and Connecticut. Sad world we live in. I am glad my truck has a gun rack!
Ford Parts Specialist
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In Cold Blood, the book written by Truman Capote about the Clutter murders. The book was later made into a film with the same title.
The film starred Perry King and Robert Blake...who was tried and found not guilty of murdering his wife. He was later sued by the wife's family. The subsequent trial was held in Civil Court, where he was found liable.
The film starred Perry King and Robert Blake...who was tried and found not guilty of murdering his wife. He was later sued by the wife's family. The subsequent trial was held in Civil Court, where he was found liable.
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From: Vancouver WA.
Doesn't it make sense to have it on the left side?
The heater switch had to be on the right side to accommodate the cable you have to pull to work your defrost. You next have the choke cable, which would have been a pretty long cable with a few curves in it if it was on the left side. Then there is the optional 2 piece hazard flasher assembly....Ok..right side is full.
On the left you have the infamous "cigar" lighter, windshield wiper switch, and the headlight switch..Left side is full..
So my guess is they ran out of dash and stuck it on the left side, because they could make more money selling the optional radio than putting the ignition in the middle of the dash.
I personnally think they should have gone to the keyless ignition for their race trucks...
The heater switch had to be on the right side to accommodate the cable you have to pull to work your defrost. You next have the choke cable, which would have been a pretty long cable with a few curves in it if it was on the left side. Then there is the optional 2 piece hazard flasher assembly....Ok..right side is full.
On the left you have the infamous "cigar" lighter, windshield wiper switch, and the headlight switch..Left side is full..
So my guess is they ran out of dash and stuck it on the left side, because they could make more money selling the optional radio than putting the ignition in the middle of the dash.
I personnally think they should have gone to the keyless ignition for their race trucks...
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Wahpeton ND
This is still common on many of the farms around here. Trucks are still left with the key in the ignition at all times by the older generations and I practiced it as such for many years.
Last year my wifes mustang got shreded for a stereo and two subs and the dinks stole my ratted out 85 F150 as I left the key in the ignition. SOBS must have had a bugger of a time starting and driving it as both the choke and hand throttle were pulled fully out when it was found running by the cops a few miles from my house.
We figured the local mexican dope dealers did it and we had quite a bit of evidence pointing to them (their car was in a ditch next to my house) but the police seemed to want to do nothing.
Point is that now days people have no taste. Who uses a beat to the gills, old 300 six, work truck as a getaway? Lame.
