Slide-away steering wheels, famously featured in Ford Thunderbirds from 1961-1963, allowed the wheel to slide to the side for easier driver entry/exit, but were discontinued due to evolving safety regulations, particularly the introduction of mandatory collapsible steering columns in the late 1960s that made them impractical and less safe than modern adjustable columns.

How They Worked

Mechanism: When the automatic transmission was in Park, the entire steering column and wheel would swing about 18 inches to the right.

Benefit: This created a wide opening, making it easier for drivers to get in and out of the car, especially in tight spots.

Safety Interlock: To prevent accidents, the gear selector was disabled until the wheel was returned to the center driving position.

Why They Were Discontinued

Safety Mandates: The primary reason for their disappearance was the implementation of stricter federal safety standards in the U.S..

Collapsible Columns: These new standards required energy-absorbing, collapsible steering columns, designed to crumple in a crash to protect the driver.

Impracticality: The complex mechanism of the swing-away wheel became incompatible with these new safety designs, making it impractical and potentially unsafe compared to modern solutions.