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'68 Steering Wheel

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Old May 31, 2005 | 05:01 PM
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Default '68 Steering Wheel

I'm trying to find an original style steering wheel for a '68 with the faux walnut. Does anyone know whether an earlier year will fit a '68?
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Old Jun 1, 2005 | 11:52 PM
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You can buy a real repro walnut steering wheel for a 1967 Corvette. The various Corvette vendors advertise them. One of the wheel manufacturers advertises that they use the original tooling used for the 1967's. They advertise that with an adapter, you can mount the wheel to a 1968. They also sell their wheels in 16 inch diameters or 15 inch diameters. The 68 uses a 15 inch diameter wheel (I believe). Dr. Rebuild advertises these wheels for a 1968 for about $650.00. I'd love to have one. They look beautiful. But there's still a few more things to buy for my 68 so I'll wait before making a decision on that high priced wheel.
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Old Jun 1, 2005 | 11:59 PM
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the wood looking wheel is one of the things I love on the 68's because I love the wood wheel look on the c2's but be prepared to pay big bucks for a NOS 68 wheel. I would just keep an eye out on ebay.
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Old Jun 2, 2005 | 09:32 AM
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I can't speak about fitment, conversions, or pricing, but the '68 used a 16" PLASTIC steering wheel. It is not walnut and CERTAINLY not teak. It's just imitation wood molded directly to the wheel's frame...no rivets or seams.
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Old Jun 2, 2005 | 10:44 AM
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I believe that the 1967 and 1968 wheels are the same. Certainly the turn signal switch assembly is unique to those two years, sandwiched between the introduction of four-way flashers in 1967 and movement of the ignition switch to the steering column in 1969. And yes the rim is plastic, not wood.

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Old Jun 2, 2005 | 10:47 AM
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Hmm, the wheel on my 68 is wood. Was that an option or aftermarket?
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Old Jun 2, 2005 | 10:54 AM
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It wasn't an option.

Mine looks exactly like Paul's above, but with the '68 horn button.
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Old Jun 2, 2005 | 10:56 AM
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The teak wheel was offered in 1965 and 1966. I see no mention of it as an option in 1968. The plastic is a very good imitation of wood. Have you looked at yours very closely?
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Old Jun 2, 2005 | 12:10 PM
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Originally Posted by paul67
The teak wheel was offered in 1965 and 1966. I see no mention of it as an option in 1968. The plastic is a very good imitation of wood. Have you looked at yours very closely?
Put a match to it - if it melts, it's plastic, if it burns (slowly) it's wood!

The 68 steering wheel is known for it's largeness, providing a bus-like feel for the driver, therefore I suspect it is 16"
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Old Jun 2, 2005 | 01:13 PM
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I never liked the large diameter 16" wheel in the '68. I just never thought it looked at home there, not to mention that it reminds me of driving a bus. I bought a mahogany wheel from Grant that is 14" and has a thicker rim that is more comfortable to grip. It also has the same styled spokes as the other Corvette wheels so it doesn't have the aftermarket ricer look. It also has the same provisions for mounting the correct Corvette horn button. If you like the wood look you might want to consider it. You can find these for around $140 new.

I stuck my original '68 wheel in a box for future use (maybe). No, I won't sell it!
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