Ignition Switch Location

[live4theking]

I ran across this picture of an '69 Fury II. Is this the ignition switch that I see to the left of the steering column. I've been around Mopars all of my years and i don't remember anything like this. My '68 has the ignition on the right side in the dash and I believe the '70 Challenger i used to have it was in the column.

So, it's cold outside and I've been wasting the day on the web. I really need to do something productive.

 

[Slantsix]

Yes. that is stock location on -69 c-body.

 

[live4theking]

Thanks, I learned something today.

 

[Ross Wooldridge]

I think it was a one year thing too... and I believe most or all keys were moved to the column in 1970 as a federally mandated safety improvement. I am not sure if the change was implemented as of Jan 1st 1970 or late 1969 at the roll-out of the 1970 model year.

For example, I believe headrests were mandated Jan 1st 1968 which is why some 68s assembled earlier than that date don't have them unless optioned...

 

[traintech55]

The mandate for the locking steering column took effect for model year 1970. If you have ever been inside a column from Chrysler, G.M., and Ford they are all way different inside. With Chrysler's standard column having the ignition switch inside the column, they could not get it ready for introduction in 1969 like G.M. and some Fords did. With the "C" body being an all new design in 1969 they probably felt the switch on the left was easier to cover for one year than a whole new dash on an already new design.

 

[GJS]

Funny I can't remember for the life of me where the ignition was on my 69 Fury. I think I blocked a number of things about that car out.

 

[traintech55]

Funny I can't remember for the life of me where the ignition was on my 69 Fury. I think I blocked a number of things about that car out.

Remember that well. On the left just below the Headlight switch.

 

[mobileparts]

1960 - 1968 are all the same dashboard mounted ignition switches and tumblers for ALL models -- "B" , "A", and "C" Body....
1969 was a 1 year only-- physically MUCH BIGGER Ignition Switch and Tumbler..... again for all model MOPARS....
1970, indeed, they went into the column....

 

[Big_John]

For example, I believe headrests were mandated Jan 1st 1968 which is why some 68s assembled earlier than that date don't have them unless optioned...

1969 for headrests. Still optional in 68 and early 69, but not mandated until Jan 1, 1969.

 

[Ross Wooldridge]

Thanks for setting me straight... always think it's 68 for some reason...

 

[Big_John]

Thanks for setting me straight... always think it's 68 for some reason...

Everybody gets that mixed up with the 68 shoulder belt mandate.

 

[mrfury68]

1968 was the year for shoulder harness, side marker lights & anti-glare interior trim.

 

[MrMoparCHP]

I have a theory on the key being on the left on the 69 C-Bodies.

The 69 was an all new (for the most part) car, they knew the ignition switch was moving to the column in 1970 so they put it in a location that wouldn't be impacted. In the 69 dash there isn't anywhere to put a key on the right, so had they put the key on the right they would have had to mage greater changed to the designs both to put the key on the right and they to eliminate it. On the left, it was just the lower dash cover, on piece, done.

I'm surprised they didn't just put the column ignition on the 69 c-bodies.


Alan

 

[kmccabe56]

I have a theory on the key being on the left on the 69 C-Bodies.

The 69 was an all new (for the most part) car, they knew the ignition switch was moving to the column in 1970 so they put it in a location that wouldn't be impacted. In the 69 dash there isn't anywhere to put a key on the right, so had they put the key on the right they would have had to mage greater changed to the designs both to put the key on the right and they to eliminate it. On the left, it was just the lower dash cover, on piece, done.

I'm surprised they didn't just put the column ignition on the 69 c-bodies.


Alan

Alan, I believe you're right about the left side location being thought of as a safety feature, and also a way to keep anyone in the front seat from trying to play with it. As a leftie, I thought it was a great idea. But then the feds came along and buggered it all up.

 

[Snotty]

The A100 pickups and vans had the ignition on the left, at least the '69s did. I can't tell you how many times I whacked my knuckles on the window crank attempting to put the key in the ignition!

 

[max1196]

see what Furypursuit dug up. Go to the 1.49 minute point in the video.

Listen,...

 

[MrMoparCHP]

see what Furypursuit dug up. Go to the 1.49 minute point in the video.

Haha, a sales training film, you can spin it anyway you want, that was there way of justifying the move. The designers simply put the key on the left as there would only be a small panel to retool when they moved the key to the column. The 69 C-Body introduced the cockpit dash styling which had nowhere to put the key in the dash on the right at least not without a major retooling when they removed it. Also the reach might not have worked as well. Had they planned on leaving the key on the dash for years to come it would have stayed on the right.


Alan

 

[MoPar Maniac]

Airplanes have the key on the left because the throttle is on the right. Trying to mimic aircraft?

 

[ceebuddy]

All Porsches tradtionally have the igntion key on the left because up until 1969, the start of the 24 hours of LeMans race implied that the drivers all first stood on the other side of the track than their their cars with engines shut off, in front of the paddocks. When the flag was thrown they had to run to their car, jump in, start it and drive away all as fast as they could. Having the starter button on the left made this 0.1 second faster...

So perhaps that was what Chrysler was considering back then? Just Kiddin'

By the way, some late 40's/early 50's Mopars also had the key on the left.