What a difference a steering wheel makes!!!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 50
From: Prosper TX
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 850
Likes: 12
From: Shakopee MN
These vettes seem to be designed for about Duntov's height to just over 6'. If too tall or overweight, many post about issues. You may need to post height & weight to get comments from similar guys.
The back of the st. wh. is about 1/2" up from the mounting & ideal for 6' esp. w/ the shorter 77 T&T column if you like to stretch your arms out sometimes.
The back of the st. wh. is about 1/2" up from the mounting & ideal for 6' esp. w/ the shorter 77 T&T column if you like to stretch your arms out sometimes.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
From: NJ
6'2" 200lbs ... I have a '70 4speed, non-TT original wheel. I can't complain TOO MUCH about the comfort, I get in and out OK, I can drive it OK but in the near future I my may need to consider the smaller wheel, maybe even the later year TT column as the wheel is waaay too close to my chest (I have long arms) and my left knee does hit the wheel, and how the heck can I lower the seats!!?? I do have head clearance but sitting this high up just feels weird. Would removing the rear shims help? This would only lower the rear though, what about the front? Is there a way without messing with the rails?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 50
From: Prosper TX
Nice! You bringing the car Saturday? Would love to see the red leather cover!
Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 570
Likes: 150
From: Northern Germany
I've been thinking of doing the same thing as I'm 6'4" and any help with getting in and out is a plus. I also don't care for the thinness of the original much. I've seen this one from several of the online vette vendors as a direct fit.
While I agree with others that it doesn't look original, but if it feels better driving and gives me more room, I may pull the trigger. The more input the better.
I appreciate the pictures FS.
While I agree with others that it doesn't look original, but if it feels better driving and gives me more room, I may pull the trigger. The more input the better.
I appreciate the pictures FS.
. My wheel is original in size and thick-/thinness but instead of the sticky bakelite it's real wood. No tilt/tele but I feel really comfortable with it. The position of the hands and arms feels just natural and I learned to slide in and out out of the car rather elegantly.... ehem... scratch the last remark.Martin
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
From: NJ
The wheel that Steve is referring to is not a Grant wheel. Steve was kind enough to give me the ebay link to this wheel. It looks like a Grant wheel, it has a 14 inch diameter but it still has a 2" dish.
The Grant 791 which looks just like this wheel also has a 14" diameter but has a flat dish and if you look at the leather stiching, Grant has 1 stich at 6 o'clock, Steve's wheel has 2 stiches...if I'm not mistaking.
Both wheels look good and Steve's wheel is sure worth the price. The only issue I may have with it personally is the dish, I am looking for a way to move the wheel further away from me, the Grant wheel does this by 2 inches. Now, because the wheel is further away from your body by 2 inches, this is where my other concern comes into play - the wheel hitting my left knee (which is higher than the quad) and limiting my left leg from being picked up higher.
Steve, can you confirm this? Has the wheel moved away from your body or is at the same distance as the original?
The Grant 791 which looks just like this wheel also has a 14" diameter but has a flat dish and if you look at the leather stiching, Grant has 1 stich at 6 o'clock, Steve's wheel has 2 stiches...if I'm not mistaking.
Both wheels look good and Steve's wheel is sure worth the price. The only issue I may have with it personally is the dish, I am looking for a way to move the wheel further away from me, the Grant wheel does this by 2 inches. Now, because the wheel is further away from your body by 2 inches, this is where my other concern comes into play - the wheel hitting my left knee (which is higher than the quad) and limiting my left leg from being picked up higher.
Steve, can you confirm this? Has the wheel moved away from your body or is at the same distance as the original?
Last edited by rafalc; Sep 29, 2011 at 02:40 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 50
From: Prosper TX
The difference is in the feel and steering. I'll never go back.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 12
From: Montgomery Alabama
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Did the same this year
I have an 82, and really like the wheel in that car better than the one in my 72. I bought the same wheel you did earlier this year, and swapped it out myself.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
I did the same thing on my '73. That old skinny big dia plastic wheel had to go. The only difference I notice is that the smaller wheel takes more effort to turn due to less leverage even with power steering. A worthwhile $99 mod. Note: the wheel is not installed off center. The wheels are turned to the left.
Last edited by 08vycpe; Sep 30, 2011 at 12:11 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 850
Likes: 12
From: Shakopee MN
Where did you guys buy yours? The ones I've been able to find are:
Ecklers for $90:
Paragon is unknown as they don't have pictures.
Corvette Central for $90 which looks like it has fingerprint impressions on the back side:
Some of the online vette venders wheels look a lot like the Grant 791, I was wondering if that's what they're selling of if it's something different.
I'd like the leather with the fingergrips on back. I also like the ones, like above, that have the metal middle cutouts like my original. I've seen some that actually have the 2 level metal instead of a single level design, but can't find that one right now.
Ecklers for $90:
Paragon is unknown as they don't have pictures.
Corvette Central for $90 which looks like it has fingerprint impressions on the back side:
Some of the online vette venders wheels look a lot like the Grant 791, I was wondering if that's what they're selling of if it's something different.
I'd like the leather with the fingergrips on back. I also like the ones, like above, that have the metal middle cutouts like my original. I've seen some that actually have the 2 level metal instead of a single level design, but can't find that one right now.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 850
Likes: 12
From: Shakopee MN
I'd love to see more comparisons between the width and depth of these wheels. This thread over here has some nice pictures as well as what I'd like, a later C3 wheel that has the middle of the metal cut out.
The more pics, the better.
The more pics, the better.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
From: NJ
I did some research on this and here is the difference...
Grant 791 is 14 inches diameter, has the one stitch at 6 o'clock and has a flat dish - I ordered mine on Amazon for $114 including shipping. Should get here in a few days.
The other ones that look just like the Grant are also 14 inches diameter but have a 2 inch dish and have 2 stitch points at 4 and 8. Go for $90.
Reason why I went with the flat dish is because I want the wheel moved away from me so I can stretch my arms a little more but my main concern is that now the wheel might be hitting the tip of my knee, therefore limiting my left leg movement even more. In which case I may need to return the wheel and get the other one with the 2 inch dish.
I guess I'll see when it gets here....
Grant 791 is 14 inches diameter, has the one stitch at 6 o'clock and has a flat dish - I ordered mine on Amazon for $114 including shipping. Should get here in a few days.
The other ones that look just like the Grant are also 14 inches diameter but have a 2 inch dish and have 2 stitch points at 4 and 8. Go for $90.
Reason why I went with the flat dish is because I want the wheel moved away from me so I can stretch my arms a little more but my main concern is that now the wheel might be hitting the tip of my knee, therefore limiting my left leg movement even more. In which case I may need to return the wheel and get the other one with the 2 inch dish.
I guess I'll see when it gets here....