Suicide Knobs aka Brodie Knobs, Necker Knobs, Steering Wheel Spinners...
Ranked #78 in Autos, #6,588 overall
Suicide Knobs
Suicide Knobs are the attachments you put on a steering wheel so you can drive a car or truck with one hand. They are also known as Brodie Knobs, Necker Knobs and Wheel Spinners.
They were very popular in the days before power steering. Now that everyone has power steering they are not as popular, due in part to a number of states banning them.
They can have wildly different designs and can be an interesting accessory.
They were very popular in the days before power steering. Now that everyone has power steering they are not as popular, due in part to a number of states banning them.
They can have wildly different designs and can be an interesting accessory.
Check out these knobs!
Short History
Brodie knobs were used on trucks before the advent of power steering. Their main use today is still in trucks, particularly semi trucks where they allow simultaneous steering and operation of the radio. They also see extensive use on forklift trucks used in warehouses and even riding lawnmowers, where frequent sharp turning is required while moving about.
Brodie Knobs were widely popular (especially on the west coast of the U.S.), during the 1950s. Their intention was to be used primarily as addition to a Hot Rod. The knob was used to spin the steering wheel, rapidly in one direction or the other, while accelerating, to cause the tire(s) to spin. Hence, come the terms "lay a brodie" and "Slob the knob".
Brodie Knobs were widely popular (especially on the west coast of the U.S.), during the 1950s. Their intention was to be used primarily as addition to a Hot Rod. The knob was used to spin the steering wheel, rapidly in one direction or the other, while accelerating, to cause the tire(s) to spin. Hence, come the terms "lay a brodie" and "Slob the knob".
Suicide Knobs on Amazon
In the 1950s and 60's a person could go into any local mechanics shop and choose from a large variety of "Brodie Knobs", with every conceivable theme, from "Candy Apple colored", product logos, to nude women, and everything in between, some automobile dealerships even used them for advertisements.
Auto Steering Wheel Spinner Suicide Knob with Route 66
Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 11/25/2009) 
Polished Aliminum Steering Wheel Spinner
Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 11/25/2009)
Chrome Skull Steering Wheel Spinner Knob
Amazon Price: $16.95 (as of 11/25/2009)
Pool Ball Steering Wheel Spinner Knob Red #3
Amazon Price: $18.99 (as of 11/25/2009)
8 Ball Steering Wheel Spinner Knob
Amazon Price: $18.99 (as of 11/25/2009)
Blog Posts from Google
- Toolmonger » Blog Archive » One Guess How This Guy Crashed?
- Known most commonly as a ?spinner knob? (or alternatively as a ?suicide knob?), more sturdy and functional versions of this thing made cranking a whopping huge steering wheel around three or four full revolutions lock-to-lock easier. ...
- My new Camo RZR - Polaris RZR Forum - RZR Forums.net
- Rear bumper 44 mag suicide knob 44 mag shifter knob door nets modified. Almost done with the stereo. Temp Gauge to be added soon dual batteries to hook up. UNI filter. Snorkels to be added soon. Fender flares to install. ...
- where can i find a trucker girl steering/suicide knob?
- i have an old chev, and am looking for a steering knob that has the infamous trucker girl on it. i can only seem to find the typical 8 ball, betty boop, etc... thanks in advance if you help me out i will pick best answer!
- are suicide knobs legal for driving?
- if the suicide knob disturbs the use of the car's airbag, then the owner will have to seek approval from the national highway transportation and safety board to deactivate the airbag, according to an odot spokesman.
What's your favorite name?
Here's a list of the names. Please add any I've missed, or if you have a better definition, let me know!
1
Granny Knob
2 points
4
Brodie Knob
0 points
5
Rob's Knob
0 points
6
Steering wheel spinner
0 points
Suicide Knobs on eBay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
What do you think of them?
Loading poll. Please Wait...
Your Feedback
What do you think? Ever used one?
submit
-
Reply
- glockr glockr Jul 14, 2009 @ 3:35 pm
- I'd forgotten all about these. When I was in high school a friend of mine had one on his 64 Nova. Lots of fun to use, but scary when someone else is driving.
-
Reply
- AbbasAbedi AbbasAbedi Jun 9, 2009 @ 7:36 am
- I have never seen a suicide knob before this lens. 5*
-
Reply
- desertgrace desertgrace Feb 27, 2009 @ 10:10 am
- Great Lens, I had no idea what those were called!
-
Reply
- tdove tdove Jan 29, 2009 @ 1:53 pm
- Thanks for joining G Rated Lense Factory!
Love This Lens?
- Rate this lens:
- Email it
- Favorite it
- Lensroll it
Car Stuff
Check out these great lenses...
-
- Dancing with the Stars Season 9
Donny Osmond and Kym Johnson have won Season 9 of Dancing with the Stars. Mya & Dmitry Chaplin were second, Kelly Osbourne & Louis van Amstel third. Yesterday there were two individual dances from Kelly & Louis, Donny & Kym and Mya &a... view lens -
- Mya
Mya is a R&B singer, actress, model and dancer. She appeared in Season 9 of Dancing with the Stars. Her partner was Dmitry Chaplin. They finished second after Donny Osmond and Kym Johnson. Get the latest news and information on Mya. Foll... view lens -
- Donny Osmond - Former Teen Idol
Donny Osmond started out with his brothers in The Osmonds, and also went on to have a successful solo career and with his sister. Since his teen idol days he has matured and done many different things - movies, stage, game shows etc. Donny appeared... view lens -
- Kelly Osbourne
Kelly Osbourne came into the public eye on The Osbournes - the reality show that followed her family. Since then, she has been successful as an actor, singer, model and, most notably, a fashion designer. She is appearing on season 9 of Dancing with... view lens -
- Dancing with the Stars on Twitter
Just like everything else, Twitter is affecting, and is being used by, Dancing with the Stars celebrities and professionals. Most of the rumors have originated on Twitter, almost all the celebrities have accounts and most of the dancers tweet regula... view lens
by xtnshun
I'm a marketing professional and in my spare time I have a number of projects; the main one being Bright Gift Ideas, a resource for people who need i...
(more)Explore related pages
Google Mapquest Driving Directions - which is better?- Talking about driving directions, my friend Joshua Nestor loves all those Intern...
The Funny Side Of Being A Driving Instructor!- Comedians seem to find driving instructors, driving examiners and driving tests...
Honda Hybrids - A Combo of Luxury and Economy-Efficiency Car- Honda is a renowned name in the automobile industry, known for the development o...
The Honda Odyssey Minivan- I'm looking for a minivan (my own fault, I keep getting women pregnant!) and...
The Kia Sedona Minivan- I've just bought a Kia Sedona so I thought I'd share. I'm very pleased with it....
The Pontiac Aztek: The Ugliest Motor Car Ever- The first time I saw a Pontiac Aztek I couldn't believe it. How could anyone st...
