I have a question concerning the rally steering wheel in a 1970 W30. I have had several of these cars, and what I remember about the first one I had ( in 1976) that the steering wheel cover was kind of textured, and the one that I own now the steering wheel is very smooth, almost sticky sometimes. Is this possibly a repop ? or did they vary in textures ?


Thanks

 

70 should be smooth.

 

and sticky...

 

All the 1970-1977 4 spoke wheels had a textured grain pattern when new. The grain seemed to wear down quickly. Just about all the used wheels you find today are worn smooth. The picture shows the grain on an NOS wheel.

 

^ they originally had grain, usually the ones that are warn smooth still have a bit of grain on the back.

 

And sticky, because it is outgassing (breaking down), they all do it.

 

On My 72 W-30, on humid days, the steering wheel is extremely sticky. Very annoying but you have to take the bad with the good as they say.