Grant corvette 14 3/4"
Smaller steering wheel
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 21
From: Somerset, NJ
I've been e-mailing Eric Freeman about his wheels. Are they really worth (roughly) double the cost of a Grant, etc.? $550 seems like an awful lot of $$$. Everyone seems to love them though.
I want a smaller diameter with a thicker rim. Are the rims on his thicker?
Guess the real question .. what makes it worth the extra $$$? I don't have much to put in it but want to do things right the first time when I do.
Thanks
Bryan
I want a smaller diameter with a thicker rim. Are the rims on his thicker?
Guess the real question .. what makes it worth the extra $$$? I don't have much to put in it but want to do things right the first time when I do.
Thanks
Bryan
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,711
Likes: 552
From: St. Louis MO
2020 Corvette of the Year (appearance mods)
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GM Sport Wheel (15 inch) Buick I think, which I had in basement which is same as C3. Here mounted on Flaming River Tilt column 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,631
Likes: 11
From: Rocklin California
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
I've been e-mailing Eric Freeman about his wheels. Are they really worth (roughly) double the cost of a Grant, etc.? $550 seems like an awful lot of $$$. Guess the real question .. what makes it worth the extra $$$? I don't have much to put in it but want to do things right the first time when I do.
Thanks
Bryan
Thanks
Bryan
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 258
Likes: 1
From: Wilkesboro NC
I will second John Z on the Freeman wheel. They are a work of art. His mid year teak wheels are a perfect reproduction. I have seen his wheels on C-1's, 2's, and 3's. His workmanship is second to none
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 880
Likes: 0
From: Bartlett IL
I don't know the origins of the one I put in the GS I built. I found it on eBay and have never seen one anywhere else like it. It was segmented, had the finger grips and even had the thin wood line running around the circumference just like the original teak wheels but was a smaller diameter.
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,685
Likes: 61
I've got a couple of Momo wheels stashed away, one wood and one black leather. Got 'em cheap at Vilem B. Haan's giong out of business sale. Made in Italy, but the six screw holes are in exactly the right positions to fit a C2! Only need to file out three notches for the horn.
I once got a totally flat aluminum/black leather English racing wheel, same as used on McLaren Can Am cars, etc. Twelve inch diameter with plain (solid) center section. A machinist matched the stock wheel cutouts for a six-pack. Really gave a quicker feel to the steering, it drove like the world's largest go-kart.
Also kept 5'3" 115 pound wife from driving it. Fast-ratio manual steering, 50-series tires, she COULD NOT parallel-park it!
I once got a totally flat aluminum/black leather English racing wheel, same as used on McLaren Can Am cars, etc. Twelve inch diameter with plain (solid) center section. A machinist matched the stock wheel cutouts for a six-pack. Really gave a quicker feel to the steering, it drove like the world's largest go-kart.
Also kept 5'3" 115 pound wife from driving it. Fast-ratio manual steering, 50-series tires, she COULD NOT parallel-park it!
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Pinehurst, NC
This is what I was looking for. By doing it right - I meant I didn't want to make a change I'm going to change again in 5,10, 15 years ... I'd rather only spend it once. I did see many options but keep seeing people recommend Eric's wheels. Was wondering why they were so expensive. Now I know.
Are the teak wheels thicker than the plastic? still wondering about that.
Are the teak wheels thicker than the plastic? still wondering about that.
Depends what you're really after. NO Grant wheel looks even remotely like a factory Corvette wheel, but is smaller in diameter and has a thicker rim. Eric's wheels are hand-made from 30+ pieces of the correct teak and rosewood and can't be distinguished from the original Corvette optional N34 wheel; they're a BARGAIN at $550.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 290
Likes: 1
From: Torrington Ct
I agree on the C3 wheels. Smaller diameter with the larger diameter rim . grip. Fits you hand like the newer cars and bolts right into my 66. ZIP had a deal where they would sell you a wheel outright or redo any wheeel that you had in nearly any leather color. ZIP just farmed the work out to someone but whoever did mine did a real nice job. Nice soft leather and a nice nice sewing job. Not cheap especially if you don't have a "core" to send in but cheaper than a genuine factory real wood wheel by a long shot.
My car has the steering set up in the quick steering location and it is a PIA to steer at slow speeds or when parking even with the large wheel. With the smaller wheel it is worse make no mistake about that. If you have the steering set up in the slower "granny?" ratio position the small wheel should be OK even w/o power steering.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa OKlahoma
wheel
I don't know the origins of the one I put in the GS I built. I found it on eBay and have never seen one anywhere else like it. It was segmented, had the finger grips and even had the thin wood line running around the circumference just like the original teak wheels but was a smaller diameter.
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/MecomRacer/GS/EyeCandy
2.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/MecomRacer/GS/EyeCandy
2.jpg[/IMG]
Last edited by blubu; Nov 5, 2007 at 12:10 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,772
Likes: 694
From: Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05, '09, '15
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa OKlahoma
reply
A 1964-66 chevelle has custom oem option of 16 inch two bar rosewood
A 69 camaro as well as chevelle had rosewood options of shallow depth than previous and the distinction of the one of the very few rosewood 15 inch wheels to be made
As to why they are so rare? OEM as far as your restoration? If you use a 16 its not the right wheel.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 880
Likes: 0
From: Bartlett IL
No, it definitely wasn't a rosewood restoration wheel. It was a lighter color wood. I suspect someone with some serious woodworking skills made it themselves.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,772
Likes: 694
From: Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05, '09, '15
A 1963-67 CORVETTE HAS A 16 inch rosewood wheel and colors also
A 1964-66 chevelle has custom oem option of 16 inch two bar rosewood
A 69 camaro as well as chevelle had rosewood options of shallow depth than previous and the distinction of the one of the very few rosewood 15 inch wheels to be made
As to why they are so rare? OEM as far as your restoration? If you use a 16 its not the right wheel.
A 1964-66 chevelle has custom oem option of 16 inch two bar rosewood
A 69 camaro as well as chevelle had rosewood options of shallow depth than previous and the distinction of the one of the very few rosewood 15 inch wheels to be made
As to why they are so rare? OEM as far as your restoration? If you use a 16 its not the right wheel.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 57
From: Williamsburg Virginia
Smaller wheel
Here is one I am trying out. I purchased it not knowing what its origin was. A fellow forum member said it is off a '68. My only complaint so far is its close proximity to the turn signal lever. My car has power steering so the smaller diameter is no problem. Notice the steel ring is all the way around. Anyone know for sure?
Earl
Earl
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa OKlahoma
wheel
Here is one I am trying out. I purchased it not knowing what its origin was. A fellow forum member said it is off a '68. My only complaint so far is its close proximity to the turn signal lever. My car has power steering so the smaller diameter is no problem. Notice the steel ring is all the way around. Anyone know for sure?
Earl
Earl
John your rosewood was what I was trying to explain. It should be 15 inch
I have never seen or heard of a factory so called walnut wheel for any corvette .
THE other one that comes to mind is TEAK WOOD.
BTW I own a 66 SS CHEVELLE with the factory two bar ROSEWOOD nothing walnut about it.16 inch
Last edited by blubu; Nov 3, 2007 at 06:06 PM. Reason: double