61 Roadster

Who has installed a good 17", high quality repro steering wheel in their 56-62 and what vendor did you use? Is it as good as the original or are there differences in appearance or "feel"?

Looking into repro steering wheels for a 61, I noticed that Corvette Central adds "may not be NCRS correct" to the product description.
I haven't seen any other disclaimers from other vendors such as Zip.

Is CC simply more forthcoming about the quality of reproduction than others? Does someone offer a NCRS correct wheel?

Thanks

5869vette

The repo wheels may look correct, but the spokes are not
stainless and will rust. Find an original and restore it.
Good luck.
Tony

ohiovet

Vettemasters of Virginia Beach manufactures and sells very nice reproduction C1 reproduction wheels.
Years ago I provided them with a engineering sample wheel which they copied for shape and texture.
I later sold them for many years, I don't any more.
I never had one returned due to quality and appearance. Except one where I painted the bell and he said it did not match is cars paint. None of them match the cars exterior paint exactly.
I did have them inspected by a NCRS team leader and he said since he knew they were new, he would deduct 1 point.
They have stainless steel spokes and NEVER RUST under normal circumstances.

61 Roadster

Thanks for the tips everyone; Just called Vette masters and a black stainless wheel is on the way

ohiovet

Good deal.
By the way Chuck Pelton makes some great leather wrapped wheels as noted by Plasticman. I believe Chuck's wife actually sews them.

gingcars

Does anybody have a suggestion on who restores original wheels?

JohnZ

Yup! The guy who ONLY does C1 ('53-'62) steering wheels, and has for many years, is Richard Dunham, dunco1959@sbcglobal.net; if you want it done right, Richard is your guy.

61 Roadster

Follow up question regarding C1 wheel texture:

Now that I have a repro wheel from Vettemasters, I am pleased with it in all aspects save one: The plastic surface is considerably more textured when compared with the smooth original. I have been told that the original wheels were textured but slowly rubbed smooth from years of use. It seems unlikely that the wheel would be so evenly smoothed over, even behind the spokes.

Problem is, I have noticed while watching episodes of Route 66 that the C1 steering wheels are relatively smooth with a sheen, not unlike my original wheel. These were brand new cars donated to the production crew from GM in 61 and 62.

Is there a preferred method to safely polish the rough textured plastic to approach the look of the original?

(For what it's worth, the Vettemasters wheel is sturdier and less flexible than my original. The stainless steel surface looks great and the dimensions are identical.)

ohiovet

61 Roadster;
As I previously mentioned I provided a untouched original GM wheel dated 12-11-55 to Vettemasters to use as the pattern for the reproduction wheel.
The texture on the wheel that they reproduced is EXACTLY like the original wheel.
I have owned many original wheels that were worn pretty smooth but there is usually some signs of texture somewhere on the wheel.
Except on ones that have been restored (incorrectly) or ones that have been sanded smooth for looks.
Bruce B

SI67

Maybe they had to sand the steering wheels smooth for Todd. Remember, he was a college boy, probably had pretty delicate hands.

62Jeff

Old restored wheels had smooth rims when first restored (1980's)

61 Roadster

Delicate perhaps, but he threw his share of punches in that show.

Is it possible the later steering wheels had a less textured surface than the 55? If I knew how to post a screen capture from an early episode, you might see what I mean.

In any case, I will use the new wheel; there's considerably less flexing (which probably led to the classic cracking at the spokes).

JohnZ

'56-'62 steering wheels were textured/grained when they were new, but it didn't take long for it to wear smooth.

arjay0

As indicated by John Hinckley, Richard Dunham is the best. He did mine, no complaints. He's an NCRS judge and knhows how to do it right.