by Unique 1970s Cadillac steering wheel: Can it inspire modern automakers?
Can you tell one new car’s interior from another? Yes, there are many unique interiors, but also plenty that are completely identical. Chinese brands especially suffer from a lack of imagination, using the obvious tablet touchscreen on an empty dashboard – a style Tesla introduced years ago. Boring.
Perhaps a vintage modified Cadillac from a time when touchscreens didn’t exist offers one possible way for brands to distinguish their cars from competitors’ models and add a new dimension to luxury design.
The Story of the Cadillac del Cavallero
This is about a 1970 Cadillac Eldorado that looks completely different from production models of its time. It was customized by George Barris in the “pimp” style originally developed by Les Dunham. The car features Superfly headlights, roof decorations, claw-shaped wheel covers, and a hood ornament in the style of the Cadillac goddess.
Barris named this model del Cavallero. Rumored to have cost basketball star Charlie Scott $13,000 new. That amount could buy two new Corvettes with change at the time, equivalent to roughly $110,000 today.
The Attention-Grabbing Steering Wheel
The del Cavallero will certainly attract more attention than the average modern $110,000 car, but the real interest lies not in the exterior, but the interior. Specifically, the incredible steering wheel with its massive, intricate Cadillac logo that takes up almost all the space inside the rim.
It looks somewhat absurd and excessive, which was probably the intent. However, one could suppose such an idea might work on modern cars as a way for manufacturers to brand their vehicles. In the 1990s, it wouldn’t have worked due to large, unsightly airbags and the need to see the instrument cluster through the wheel. But with modern tiny airbags and head-up display technology, it’s entirely possible.
Modern Steering Wheel Design Trends
Such an approach could work not only for Cadillac but for practically any brand – from Volkswagen to Porsche, Ford, Chevrolet, and many others. It’s an avant-garde idea, but given that BMW has already pushed us out of our comfort zone with its four-spoke steering wheel on the new iX3, i3, and updated 7-Series, perhaps we’re ready for something radical. At least it would help you remember whether you’re in a BYD or an XPeng.
Until that happens, and Cadillac doesn’t yet dare to experiment with its SUV interiors, if you like this idea, you might have to settle for buying this car. It’s listed for auction on Bring a Trailer.
Interestingly, a return to such bold design solutions as a huge logo on the steering wheel could be not just nostalgia, but also a way to combat the homogenization of modern car interiors. While many manufacturers copy Tesla’s minimalist style, using bright, almost provocative elements could become a powerful marketing tool. However, it’s important to find a balance between flair and functionality, so such a steering wheel doesn’t hinder driving, but instead emphasizes the car’s individuality.
