Hello all. I'm trying to find out the year most American cars switched from the larger bus size steering wheel to the smaller wheel. My father's 64 Catalina had the smaller wheel ( with beautiful clear plastic that matched the interior color). Was 64 the first year for change or did it happen irregularly - prior and after? Thanks - Mike
I'm thinking irregularly. It seems to me that GM around 68-69 pretty much had power steering standard in almost everything except the compacts. I didn't start owning Fords until 73 and even the Pinto had I think 14 or 15". I'm pretty sure it was hit and miss. But late 60's for sure the larger cars pretty much had changed along with standard power steering. I couldn't imagine trying to drive a non-power steering full size car without a bigger wheel. I think the last vehicle I had without power steering was my 1975 Mazda Rotary PU and it had a smaller 14" wheel.
