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Hi all
About two months ago I spotted several auctions of these sport steering wheels. Reading through the seller said he found boxes of these wheels in a warehouse. The auction said he didn't know if they were factory or aftermarket. I finally caved in a bought one a couple weeks ago. Not a bad looking wheel, but side by side with a factory one (purchased from another member here) its clearly aftermarket. Just in case someone was considering buying one I wanted to share some good pictures, side by side with the factory one. John
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Cool pics John! Looks like the diameter is off by a bit. But the most noticeable feature is the difference in the scallop design and spacing on the back of the wheel. Does the OEM one have the same color but just faded out? Reason I ask is the last pic shows some semblance of similar color on the OEM.
Reminds me of the old 'Get Smart' line Max used to say every episode - "Missed it by thaaat much!"
Hey Allan, I see the highlights your commenting on. But think the factory wheel looks much like the wood grain floor shifter *****. The repop one is too much like copper, and I can't see into the material like the factory wheel. Not a bad looking wheel, but if someone is wanting a factory look this one isn't close enough to pass the test. If anyone want's to check out the auctions here's a link to one of them, he has several auctions going at once.
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
D'oh.... I didn't realize they were plastic simulated wood grain since I've never owned one. I thought they were really wood. If that had been the case it might have been easy enough to just re-dye them. Still, not a bad looking wheel for a DD.
They may be repops for mid to late 60s Vettes as that repop market boomed before the muscle market did and they've been at it longer too. The vettes have a deeper dish though I thought the diameter was the same as Olds & other GM A bodies. First time Ive seen the grip scallop difference as well. Ill have to measure the vette when Im in the garage. Better yet I should just pull both off and document them side by side. The Vette and 442 have their original wheels. Check Ecklers or Mid America. I think one of them has a description and dimensions if I remember correctly. Or there was a disclaimer noting the vettes deeper dish. Either way IMO they are slightly incorrect repops. Still look good though.
he knows they are re-pops....he dances all around the fact...hes protecting his own butt.
I think for a non-original car they are a great bargain and are very presentable..but he know what he has....
You are bidding on a NEW steering wheel that looks like it did not come from the assembly line just right. these steering wheels have some slight flaws in the stainless and/or in the plastic. these wheels are good drivers but would not quite make show quality. i do have other wheels on ebay that cost more but are the cream of the crop. these wheels were optional for Corvettes, Chevelle, Camaro, Nova and Impala's. it has a stainless two piece center. it is correct for 67 and 68 Corvettes and many other GM cars and will work on corvettes thru 1976 but is not correct and is 1" deeper and 1" larger in dia. i have the 63 thru 66 wheels on another auction now. i don't know if this is NOS, Remanufactured or an excellent aftermarket but it is NEW but keep in mind some slight flaws. This item sells at your local Corvette store for up to $349.95
Last edited by marxjunk; November 25th, 2013 at 11:20 AM.
Sit at your car, grap the Wheel while sitting and just figure, is it fine for you, or do you want it closer or farther where current Wheel sits.
Measure current Wheel depth and take a quess what you want/ whats available.
Ps. I hate my Computer doing big capitals in middle of sentences for some odd reason..
The offset on a 68, 442, OEM faux rosewood, brushed stainless steel, 3 spoke steering wheel is ~4.75". Diameter is ~16".
Offset or depth is measured from the SS base to the top of the rim. Lay a straight edge across the rim run a tape measure down to one of the two horizontal spokes.
Ill get the Vettes wheel measurement asap.
I know this is a long dead thread but I was trying to see what the wood wheel would look like for the 70 442.
My build sheet shows wood in box 69 (strg. whl) and on the options below, N 34 Sport Str whl. I was thinking the wheel John posted is the one. Anyone know for sure?
Last edited by tru-blue 442; January 5th, 2020 at 12:52 PM.
Adam, I'm not sure why it says WOOD in the box but I'm under the impression the only sport wheel option in 1970 was the four spoke black wheel. I believe the faux wood was only used in 1968. Maybe this would be good to create a new thread and see if one of the 1970 guru's can explain it. John
Hi John, thanks for the response. It seems I did start one way back when and never got a response. I did find it strange that it shows an N-34. I thought that was the a 3 spoke 69 unit.
Maybe someone with a 70 sport wheel will post a pic if they see this thread. Hopefully not the 4 spoke, there's a million of those out there, I have two. But that is probably what it is.
When I got the car, it had a nice 69 hood and no steering wheel. The W-25 hood will be a tall order as well.
Adam, if you've not had good luck getting a response you might send a message to Patton (70Post). I'm under the impression he qualifies as a 1970 Guru!
John
The 68 OEM faux rosewood steering wheel with the 3 brushed steel slotted spokes (GM, A-bodies) won’t fit correctly on a 69 and up column.
The steering wheel adaptor to column OD and other features are specific to each wheel/column. Keep in mind 1969 and up introduced the locking (larger diameter) steering column.
69+ did not have an optional OEM faux rosewood 3 spoke brushed steel steering wheel option. Only N34 (For 69, 3 plastic spokes) and 4 spoke brushed steel with rubber grip, 1970+.
Rosewood or walnut? I always thought it was Rosewood like the shift ****.
Many 69s will be seen with 70+ 4 spoke wheels because it fits.
November 24th, 2013, 01:49 PM
