11-12-2015, 04:39 PM
|
#1
|
|
Beginner
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Houston
Posts: 1,659
|
Quick quiz - Why is the key to the left of the steering wheel?
I was told once and I believe it.
__________________
2003 S manual
|
|
|
|
11-12-2015, 05:05 PM
|
#2
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: DFW
Posts: 253
|
I don't know...excited to find out.
I do know I love the reminder that this car is something "other" every time I start it.
|
|
|
|
|
11-12-2015, 05:06 PM
|
#3
|
|
Beginner
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Houston
Posts: 1,659
|
It's actually very cool.
__________________
2003 S manual
|
|
|
|
|
11-12-2015, 05:11 PM
|
#4
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Listowel, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,120
|
I've been told of two reasons:
1) So your right hand is free to put the car into gear. All about racing and getting the car moving as quick as possible.
2) Weight. Shave every little bit. Apparently the left side is closed to the starter and therefore used a very slightly shorter wire. Every ounce counts.
__________________
2011 Boxster 987.2 Arctic silver / Black leather, PDK with Sports Chrono Package Plus
|
|
|
|
|
11-12-2015, 05:28 PM
|
#5
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 906
|
Because of the old race cars turn the key while getting the car in gear
|
|
|
|
|
11-12-2015, 05:52 PM
|
#6
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: O.C. CA
Posts: 3,709
|
Wow, this is Porsche 101. Races used to start with the drivers running to get to their car
& jump in to start the engine. Turn key with left hand & shift with right hand.
__________________
OE engine rebuilt,3.6 litre LN Engineering billet sleeves,triple row IMSB,LN rods. Deep sump oil pan with DT40 oil.
|
|
|
|
|
11-12-2015, 05:58 PM
|
#7
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Ohio
Posts: 868
|
Because of the original LeMans race start.
|
|
|
|
|
11-12-2015, 06:57 PM
|
#8
|
|
Certified Boxster Addict
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 7,669
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by schnellman
Because of the original LeMans race start.
|
This ^^^^^
__________________
1999 996 C2 - sold - bought back - sold for more
1997 Spec Boxster BSR #254
1979 911 SC
POC Licensed DE/TT Instructor
|
|
|
|
|
11-12-2015, 07:39 PM
|
#9
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Emerald City
Posts: 885
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by BYprodriver
Wow, this is Porsche 101. Races used to start with the drivers running to get to their car
& jump in to start the engine. Turn key with left hand & shift with right hand.
|
What I can't figure out is why some cars (944, 928 come to mind) have the key on the column. Seriously it shouldn't matter but I've thought about a 928 or 944 someday in addition to a Boxster or 911 and I hate the fact that the key isn't in porsche position.
|
|
|
|
|
11-18-2015, 08:14 AM
|
#10
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 8,709
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by BYprodriver
Wow, this is Porsche 101. Races used to start with the drivers running to get to their car
& jump in to start the engine. Turn key with left hand & shift with right hand.
|
What I never understood about this why a racing had an ignition key rather than an ignition switch. Did all racing cars need ignition keys or just sports cars?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark_T
I always thought that it was on the left so that if you crashed on the track the marshall could reach in and shut off the car.
|
LOL. That would be handy for Corvettes and Mustang drivers!
__________________
GT3 Recaro Seats - Boxster Red
GT3 Aero / Carrera 18" 5 spoke / Potenza RE-11
Fabspeed Headers & Noise Maker
BORN: March 2000 - FINLAND
IMS#1 REPLACED: April 2010 - NEW JERSEY -- LNE DUAL ROW
|
|
|
|
|
11-12-2015, 05:51 PM
|
#11
|
|
There Is No Substitute.
Join Date: May 2007
Location: West Coast
Posts: 3,253
|
It was originally so the old Porsche racing driver's could (supposedly) start the car more quickly from a running start. Or so I have been told...
__________________
1999 Ocean Blue Metallic Boxster - blueboxster.com
|
|
|
|
|
11-12-2015, 06:12 PM
|
#12
|
|
CEL P0306
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Seattle
Posts: 129
|
The book "Porsche Speedster - the Evolution of Porsche's light-weight sports car," by Dr Michael Thiriar, goes into much detail. It includes reference to the ignition switch orientation. He finds, less romantically, that it is so the key would be out of reach of the passenger.
|
|
|
|
|
11-12-2015, 06:28 PM
|
#13
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Greater Seattle, WA
Posts: 534
|
I'd say nowadays, it's probably a combination of "to be different," and to acknowledge the Porsche brand heritage of it traditionally being that way. (And thus, even though the modern -- starting with our 986 Boxsters -- water-cooled Porsches don't share any parts with the earlier air cooled models, they are still both Porsches.)
|
|
|
|
|
11-12-2015, 06:43 PM
|
#14
|
|
Beginner
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Houston
Posts: 1,659
|
I was told Le Mans. So you can jump in and get started faster.
__________________
2003 S manual
|
|
|
|
|
11-17-2015, 04:51 AM
|
#15
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Arlington Heights, IL
Posts: 1,561
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by jakeru
(And thus, even though the modern -- starting with our 986 Boxsters -- water-cooled Porsches don't share any parts with the earlier air cooled models, they are still both Porsches.)
|
Not so. 3 words. Porsche Mezger Blocks.
|
|
|
|
|
11-12-2015, 07:08 PM
|
#16
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Greenville, S.C.
Posts: 2,670
|
Quick quiz - Why is the key to the left of the steering wheel?
I knew that.
Now what I don't know, why are our pedals hinged to the floor while most cars are top hinged.
Last edited by BIGJake111; 11-13-2015 at 03:01 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
11-12-2015, 07:41 PM
|
#17
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Emerald City
Posts: 885
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by BIGJake111
I knew that.
Now what I don't know, they are our pedals hinged to the floor while most cars are top hinged.
|
I know at least newer bmws are the same way. I rented an X3 for a while and it was just like the boxster. Even had the little click slot at the bottom. I like it, much more precise than a sloppy floppy pedal you get in your average minivan.
|
|
|
|
|
11-14-2015, 04:33 AM
|
#18
|
|
Porsche "Purist"
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 2,123
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by BIGJake111
I knew that.
Now what I don't know, why are our pedals hinged to the floor while most cars are top hinged.
|
Early Porsches used a steel cable (some with pulleys) for the clutch and throttle. Since the motor was behind the driver, hinging the pedals from the floor simplified cable routing.
__________________
1998 Boxster with 7.8 DME, 2005 3.6 liter/325 hp, Variocam Plus, 996 Instrument panel
2001 Boxster original owner. I installed used motor at 89k.
1987 924S. 2002 996TT. PST-2
Owned and repaired Porsches since 1974. Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.
|
|
|
|
|
11-14-2015, 06:07 AM
|
#19
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Greenville, S.C.
Posts: 2,670
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul
Early Porsches used a steel cable (some with pulleys) for the clutch and throttle. Since the motor was behind the driver, hinging the pedals from the floor simplified cable routing.
|
Makes sense... How about BMW though?
|
|
|
|
|
11-12-2015, 07:55 PM
|
#20
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Winnipeg MB
Posts: 2,485
|
I always thought that it was on the left so that if you crashed on the track the marshall could reach in and shut off the car.
__________________
'99 black 986
|
|
|
|
| Thread Tools |
|
|
| Display Modes |
 Hybrid Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is On
|
|
|
All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:28 PM.
| |
Mean Motor Scooter
Porscha
1998 
1976 
1966 
1963 
Molly
Yellowbird
Turbo
Christine
Frank N Stein
Ghost
