Although the 'quartic' steering wheel of the Allegro was ridculous and impractical, it was ahead of it's time as it's not unusual to see expensive performance cars with non-circular steering wheels these days - it seems fashionable to have a flattened bit on the wheel, which to my mind must be as annoying as the Allegro's original squarish wheel, that was dropped after a year or two. But a contemporary of the Allegro also had a non-round steering wheel - I mean the Ford Cortina Mk 3, which had a slightly oval wheel.

Edited by Sofa Spud on 15/11/2013 at 09:45

The off-centring is to allow the steering column to be offset to one side of centre from the drivers' seat.

I realise that the column can be offset from the seating position. But I don't think I expressed my original query clearly enough.

Most steering wheels are circular (or perhaps they aren't?). On many cars the wheel is attached slightly off-centre to the column, so that as the wheel turns the rim moves eccentrically. I don't see how this is helpful, so I presume it is unintentional? Today's wheels are moulded plastic and it would seem sensible to put the boss in the exact centre? Perhaps the inclusion of airbags makes that difficult?

If the rim is eccentric then it must be by design. My suggestion is that the effect is to increase clearance between bottom of disc and knees with wheel dead ahead. Purpose would be to increase knee space when entering and leaving.

I suspect it's all down to accepted tolerances and what the customer will notice.

I've jacked up the front of my car and spun the wheel since this thread (I'm retired and got the time). It ain't round!

I've never noticed before and it's never bothered me. Perhaps it will now, damnit!

Like I said, there's probably an acceptable tolerance and the things will be made to lowest cost within that tolerance.

Perhaps only the most severe forms of OCD will notice such things? ;>)

That's really something, to jack the car up and try it ....

And how many will try it this weekend?