necking knob

necking knob

dated A rounded knob mounted to the steering wheel of a car so that it can be steered with one hand. So called because the driver (typically male) is able to place their arm around their romantic partner. My grandfather gave me his old Cadillac, which still had the necking knob on the wheel from when he first started courting my grandmother.
See also: knob, necking
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

necking knob

A swivel on a car's steering wheel. The necking knob enables the driver to steer with his left hand while encircling his girlfriend's shoulder with his right arm. Even when the driver was alone, the knob was an easy way to turn the car in the days before power steering.
See also: knob, necking
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price
See also:
  • necker's knob
  • death trap
  • be at the wheel
  • pop a wheelie
  • wheelie
  • wheelies
  • at the wheel
  • at/behind the wheel
  • behind the wheel
  • (as) black as the devil