WTony

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MDchanic

Had one on a fullsize - didn't work for $@#t (unless by "work" you mean "make the horn blow all the time.")

But I admit I've never seen one from an A-body.

- Eric

507OLDS

That's what they call a rimblow? I've had a fair share of those,but most looked like that.I did have one that was green,and looked NOS,and it went for good money.All of mine came from A-bodies,and one came from a 69 Delta.I just figured they all looked like that.That's all I ever remember getting on my A-body cars,unless it was a sport wheel.

Bluevista

Pretty cool.

It's called a N42 code deluxe "Rim Blower" and "Instant-Horn" steering wheel in the '69 Olds factory literature.
So what does the center pad do when you keep trying to honk the horn there.

MDchanic

Distracts you while you're trying to avoid a crash.

I would classify this solidly in the BAD IDEA column.

A pressure strip along the inside of the wheel is pretty much the last place you'll go in the heat of the moment when you're trying to avoid a collision.

Add to that the fact that these things stop working after a few years, and there's very little to recommend them.

- Eric

WTony

Brian the horn contact is around the outside ring of the wheel. The center pad is NOT the horn. Just a pad with the backing on it that doesnt depress to blow the horn. Looks the same, but is different from the deluxe wheel your speaking of.

MDchanic

No, Tony, not the outside, it's around the inside.

It's a weird place to push - you've either got to wrap your fingers around the wheel all the way (flexing your wrists a bit more than normal) and push it with your index or middle fingertips, or hyperextend your wrist and push it with your thumb tip.

It's a weird movement.

- Eric

WTony

Yes Eric you are correct. I typed the wrong thing. Knew what I wanted to say, just came out wrong. One of the photo's shows the horn contact on the inside of the wheel and Im holding it up to show where it is.

joe_padavano

Kewl. I've never seen one either. As for repairability, did you actually get a quote from Gary's? My friend dropped off the wheel from his 1963 Grand Prix with Gary's at Hershey last month. This is NOT a rim blow, just a normal two-spoke plastic wheel, though parts of the rim are clear. Price? A cool $1,200 for refurbishment. Conventional wheels without the clear parts were a mere $700.

MDchanic

Bluevista

700-1200 bucks! I buy cars when I have that much cash.
The Eastwood "Master Steering Wheel Repait Kit" is only 50 bucks, use epoxy for the clear part if needed, add a little fairy dust if it has sparkles.
I'll give it a shot for half the price, Liquid Nails is my favorite repair and caulking material.

I love old cars but I hate those thin steering wheels, how's that sucker work with a genuine pleather steering wheel cover on it?

jensenracing77

i love driving fast on curvy roads. i would be tooting that horn at every turn not wanting to.

WTony

Told me the same $700 range without the center pad. That was extra. Dont remember how much but I remember seeing mint center pads on ebay for like $20? Shipping was $35 with insurance.

507OLDS

Yes,I know,the center horn pad is fixed.That's what I had.

InfoJunkie

My 69 98 had one. Had to steer from outside car one day when it quit and needed to be pushed. Everytime the wheel was sqeezed the horn wwnt off.
You should never blow the horn to avoid a collision,just causes people to stop and look then you hit then.

MDchanic

:: Insert Laughing Emoticon ::

Jamesbo

I remember these things in land yachts but not in A bodies

Jonb442

My '69 442 came with one originally, as did my brother's '70. They're both in horrible shape and have been swapped out for regular wheels. I tried using his on my car and the horn stayed on when I plugged it in. Instant horn indeed.

-Jon