night3404

Is there a way to tell an original teak wood wheel from a reproduction?
Thanks

Hitch

Yes but do you want to pay the price difference?

chevahaulic

I removed one from a 67 coupe in 1980. It looked and felt so good I have it stored as it will point the direction for the 66. A repo would be ok but a free switch out is even better.

ohiovet

I've been told that the old wheels have a different "feel" and they do.
I have 5 GM prototype wood wheels and you can "feel" the difference when compared to the new repro wheels.
But the repro wheels do look very nice.

ohiovet

I think the 67 wheel mounts differently then the 66 wheel. But an adapter can be made to make it work.

Nikko

I thought teak wheels were only available in '65-'66?

Nowhere Man

They were. Eric Freeman will make a teak wheel using a 67-68 steering wheel core. Or you can get a spacer plate for the step

chevahaulic

Never gave it much thought. The replacement was probably a 64 and it went on as easily as the teak came off. No extra marks, scars, or elongated holes.
The originals are thin, beautiful, and fit your grasp so easily.
If it don't fit I just may have to just put it in the car rummage sale bin. ( and no it wasn't 50 cents with one zero. )

oldgold49er

I think from reading past posts on this issue that it is difficult at best to verify an original. Freeman wheels are very good repos. It is difficult to have 50(almost) years of "patina" on a repro.wood wheel.
Take your wheel to Carslile and have it verified by Eric. I assume he will b there. The value of an original vs. repro is big. $500 repro. At least $1500 for original if u can find one. I saw one on the bay for $2500, but does not mean it sold, or that it was an original. JMO

Martyt

I bought an original; cost more but if you put it side by side with a repro, you can tell the difference. It all depends on what you want. If your car is otherwise original then it seems to me it only makes sense to try and buy original parts/replacements. Marty

Tom454

My 66 wheel seemed to have a plastic coating on it. What's up with that?

rgbau140

My ex bought me one for Father's Day 15 plus years ago from a guy who called himself Teak Freak. supposedly he had the original tooling from the company that made them for GM. came with some interesting background on the original company - think they made clocks as well. is the Teak Freak still around?

Gary's '66

The teak wheel was an option. All others were a plastic "wood grain".

67's

Yes,
Based out of Canada I believe.

65 vette dude

I was told that on the original wheels the spokes have a slightly rounded edge on the sides. The repro wheels have a sharper edge.

MiguelsC2

Eric Freeman wheel. Under $500 from Virginia Vettes.

DansYellow66

I have a teak repro from Crane's that my wife gave me as a gift years ago. I can pretty easily differentiate between it and an original. It seems a little thinner in section to me but I'm not sure of that. The big difference is that the finger grooves are cut sharper and not as rounded as on originals. I still like it but it is a little different.