In the era before collapsible steering columns, seat belts and airbags, that was the kind of steering gear that would have been responsible for many horrific car crash injuries and fatalities.

Actually JFK did wear a hat to his inauguration and for the parade. He was the last president to wear formal morning dress to his swearing in and he wore the traditional top hat. But in general, he eschewed hats, though he did own one and was frequently photographed holding it in his hand.

Since the adoption of airbags we all know that the recommended position of your hands is now at 9 and 3 o'clock, with the thumbs placed along the rim rather than looping around it. Like all males of the epoch, Dad is wearing a "wife-beater" vest under that cool summertime shirt.

From your many previous posts, I'm pretty sure your father didn't make any excuses for "When it's time for leavin'."

Probably the two most agreed upon reasons for the demise of men wearing felt hats (Fedoras mainly) is; the lowering of automobile ceilings around 1960 caused them to have to be removed and put some where, and not sat on. Then secondly, in 1961 a young JFK was inaugurated hatless and rode along the parade likewise.

That car looks like it could almost accommodate Abe Lincoln in his top hat.

[Well, Abe was a foot taller than my father. Can't speak for his hat. -tterrace.]

Left hand at the 10 o'clock position right hand at posted at the 2 o'clock slot. Big old horn ring ready to blast and not a cell phone in sight. Yet. Seatbelts were in the very near future.