I did have a car where you pulled a knob to start....the knob connected to the solenoid via bowden cable...
The original Fiat 500 was like that - a small lever on the floor which you pulled up to start the engine. Another one next to it was the choke. The legendary "Little Grey Fergie" tractors had and extension of the gear linkage which pushed the solenoid in, but only from neutral so you couldn't start in gear!