68 steering wheel depth ?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
68 steering wheel depth ?
Hi
Could somebody who has a 68 with original 16 " wood grain plastic steering wheel measure the depth of it, meaning the dimension from the center attahcment plate to the center of the wheel, holding a straight bar over it.
I just got a 68 wheel and found it to be much deeper than the 69-75 15 " wheel is. Not only it is bigger in diameter, but also nearer to me when installed. Can't use it for driving. Hope it is a 68 wheel at all.
Here a pic of my 68-75 wheel.
Thanks n brgds. Günther
Could somebody who has a 68 with original 16 " wood grain plastic steering wheel measure the depth of it, meaning the dimension from the center attahcment plate to the center of the wheel, holding a straight bar over it.
I just got a 68 wheel and found it to be much deeper than the 69-75 15 " wheel is. Not only it is bigger in diameter, but also nearer to me when installed. Can't use it for driving. Hope it is a 68 wheel at all.
Here a pic of my 68-75 wheel.
Thanks n brgds. Günther
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Gunther,
I can't do the measurement as my car is in storage but here is an archive pic of the plastic wood 1967-68 16" wheel on my 1967. Hope this helps.
Your pic shows a 1969+ 15" wheel.
I can't do the measurement as my car is in storage but here is an archive pic of the plastic wood 1967-68 16" wheel on my 1967. Hope this helps.
Your pic shows a 1969+ 15" wheel.
Last edited by Paul L; Jan 8, 2007 at 04:34 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
Measured as seen in the picture it's exactly 4 inches. The picture was taken at an angle so you can see where I measured from. I know it looks like more than 4 inches but trust me.
Last edited by DZRick; Jan 8, 2007 at 03:39 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,217
Likes: 1
From: End of the Ike IL
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Some people complain about the size of the '68 steering wheel, but they are actually pretty cool wheels to cruise around in. Wouldn't want to autocross with it, but I don't autocross, so who cares?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,422
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
Agree, your picture is of a 1969 wheel, maybe a 1970 wheel. The clue is, in addition to the shorter 15" diameter, the wheel you show has a steel ring outline on the outer circumfrance. The 1967 and 1968 wheels have only the plastic faux wood to be seen.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
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From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
Wait you better let me verify that
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Yep 4"
Getting in the 68 requires that you sort of sliiiiiiiiiide in past the wheel
once you're in its like being in a fighter cockpit
Ive got the original "big wheel" and a pair of 80 seats dyed to match for long haul comfort, and ive got no issues at all
before
after
and i I can fit in and drive it with my full sized Budah anyone can
cheers
tim
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Yep 4"
Getting in the 68 requires that you sort of sliiiiiiiiiide in past the wheel
once you're in its like being in a fighter cockpit
Ive got the original "big wheel" and a pair of 80 seats dyed to match for long haul comfort, and ive got no issues at all
before
after
and i I can fit in and drive it with my full sized Budah anyone can
cheers
tim
Last edited by sweethence; Jan 9, 2007 at 10:35 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
I am sorry about my typing error, was ment to say 69-75 steering wheel for the black one.
The wooden one is my 68 wheel and it is certainly deeper and bigger in diameter.
And yes, I measured also 4 " on the 68 wheel, so it is a correct one.
The 69-75 wheel has only 2.5 " and is 1 " smaller in diameter. Where 68 drivers so much smaller ?
Just sold the 69-75 wheel to a proud 72 owner. Don't need this small thing anymore now owning a real one.
Günther
I am sorry about my typing error, was ment to say 69-75 steering wheel for the black one.
The wooden one is my 68 wheel and it is certainly deeper and bigger in diameter.
And yes, I measured also 4 " on the 68 wheel, so it is a correct one.
The 69-75 wheel has only 2.5 " and is 1 " smaller in diameter. Where 68 drivers so much smaller ?
Just sold the 69-75 wheel to a proud 72 owner. Don't need this small thing anymore now owning a real one.
Günther
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
Ok , other question to the 68 wooden grain plastic wheels owners.
Can I sand some minor scratches out ? Will I destroy the texture or is this brown fake wooden grain plastic coloured all the way through ?
Günther
Ok , other question to the 68 wooden grain plastic wheels owners.
Can I sand some minor scratches out ? Will I destroy the texture or is this brown fake wooden grain plastic coloured all the way through ?
Günther
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
Hi
I am sorry about my typing error, was ment to say 69-75 steering wheel for the black one.
The wooden one is my 68 wheel and it is certainly deeper and bigger in diameter.
And yes, I measured also 4 " on the 68 wheel, so it is a correct one.
The 69-75 wheel has only 2.5 " and is 1 " smaller in diameter. Where 68 drivers so much smaller ?
Just sold the 69-75 wheel to a proud 72 owner. Don't need this small thing anymore now owning a real one.
Günther
I am sorry about my typing error, was ment to say 69-75 steering wheel for the black one.
The wooden one is my 68 wheel and it is certainly deeper and bigger in diameter.
And yes, I measured also 4 " on the 68 wheel, so it is a correct one.
The 69-75 wheel has only 2.5 " and is 1 " smaller in diameter. Where 68 drivers so much smaller ?
Just sold the 69-75 wheel to a proud 72 owner. Don't need this small thing anymore now owning a real one.
Günther
at least thats my story and im sticking to it
personally i like it, but i have manual steering
who knows where the real truth lies
tim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,839
Likes: 1,960
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
the 68 steering wheel is a carry over from 67, and thus was designed for a 67 interior, wich had different seat to dash dimensions, when they went to the 69 model, GM recognized the different interior dimensions called for a smaller wheel........
at least thats my story and im sticking to it
personally i like it, but i have manual steering
who knows where the real truth lies
tim
at least thats my story and im sticking to it
personally i like it, but i have manual steering
who knows where the real truth lies
tim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
I sanded the clear coat off -- didn't particularly like the appearance, and ended up shooting mine with dye to match the interior. Not stock, but it came out nice.
