What a difference a steering wheel makes!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
From: NJ
So the Grant 791 came in today and I'm not too happy. I'm not sure if Grant has poor quality craftsmanship or if I got a knock off.
First of all, the wheel is not BLACK, its more a charcoal shade. There really isn't any finger grip, wheel is mostly smooth all around. And the parts where the 3 spokes connect to the leather...the connection appears sloppy, pieces of leather glued on.
The leather tag that came with the wheel does not have anything on it, just a clean black tag. The back of the wheel says Made in Mexico 1210.
When I first opened it I thought they sent me the chrome instead of polished aluminum...this thing is extra shiny...is this polished aluminum?
Can someone confirm this indeed is what you have...if you have a Grant 791 wheel.
First of all, the wheel is not BLACK, its more a charcoal shade. There really isn't any finger grip, wheel is mostly smooth all around. And the parts where the 3 spokes connect to the leather...the connection appears sloppy, pieces of leather glued on.
The leather tag that came with the wheel does not have anything on it, just a clean black tag. The back of the wheel says Made in Mexico 1210.
When I first opened it I thought they sent me the chrome instead of polished aluminum...this thing is extra shiny...is this polished aluminum?
Can someone confirm this indeed is what you have...if you have a Grant 791 wheel.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,062
Likes: 602
From: Henderson Nv-Rohnert Park/Sonoma C o. ca/born in NY Rockaway Beach.
which vendor ?
It was time for a change. My original steering wheel was in perfect condition, but I grew tired of the large diameter wheel. Being 6'1" and no tilt wheel also made it difficult to get in and out of the vehicle.
I went with a new 14" wheel with brushed stainless spokes and a nice leather grip. The wheel came in today via UPS. It looked pretty small, comparitively speaking to the original wheel.
Within 5 minutes, I made the swap. Wow that was simple. I disconnected the horn harness from the horn so it wouldn't scare the crap out of me. Then I removed the cap with a gentle tug, removed the three screws for the horn contact, then removed the six screws for the horn. Old wheel was then off.
To install the new wheel, I attached the wheel with six new screws, attached the horn contact ring with three screws and popped on the original cap. DONE.
It definitely looks smaller then the original, I was curious to how it felt on the road. WOW is all I have to say! For starters, it took out any play the old wheel had and it now feels like a little sports car with a nice thick grip of the wheel. Seriously this was the best $89 mod I've done to this car.
Here are before and after pics:
Before:
After:
It looks better in person than it does in the photo. While it doesn't look 100% OEM, it looks pretty good and driving it is almost like driving a different car. Cool stuff!
I went with a new 14" wheel with brushed stainless spokes and a nice leather grip. The wheel came in today via UPS. It looked pretty small, comparitively speaking to the original wheel.
Within 5 minutes, I made the swap. Wow that was simple. I disconnected the horn harness from the horn so it wouldn't scare the crap out of me. Then I removed the cap with a gentle tug, removed the three screws for the horn contact, then removed the six screws for the horn. Old wheel was then off.
To install the new wheel, I attached the wheel with six new screws, attached the horn contact ring with three screws and popped on the original cap. DONE.
It definitely looks smaller then the original, I was curious to how it felt on the road. WOW is all I have to say! For starters, it took out any play the old wheel had and it now feels like a little sports car with a nice thick grip of the wheel. Seriously this was the best $89 mod I've done to this car.
Here are before and after pics:
Before:
After:
It looks better in person than it does in the photo. While it doesn't look 100% OEM, it looks pretty good and driving it is almost like driving a different car. Cool stuff!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Finger grips are shallow & wheel is smooth at spokes. Mine is black, old & has held up great. They could have changed where it’s made. No sign of 1210. I don’t recall Made in Mexico & yes I should remember if it was there. Leather connects to 3 spokes fine.
It was highly polished, that goes away. Really you should try it & see if the dish is right for you. Should look much better mounted.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 971
Likes: 45
From: Middlesex NJ
Does this new wheel have the lower "step" on the bottom spoke as the original did?
If not did you do anything to make up for the gap below the lower spoke where it meets the hub?
I have been looking for a 14" wheel for my 69 but my wheel has a step on the bottom spoke.
If not did you do anything to make up for the gap below the lower spoke where it meets the hub?
I have been looking for a 14" wheel for my 69 but my wheel has a step on the bottom spoke.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Does this new wheel have the lower "step" on the bottom spoke as the original did?
If not did you do anything to make up for the gap below the lower spoke where it meets the hub?
I have been looking for a 14" wheel for my 69 but my wheel has a step on the bottom spoke.
If not did you do anything to make up for the gap below the lower spoke where it meets the hub?
I have been looking for a 14" wheel for my 69 but my wheel has a step on the bottom spoke.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Does this new wheel have the lower "step" on the bottom spoke as the original did?
If not did you do anything to make up for the gap below the lower spoke where it meets the hub?
I have been looking for a 14" wheel for my 69 but my wheel has a step on the bottom spoke.
If not did you do anything to make up for the gap below the lower spoke where it meets the hub?
I have been looking for a 14" wheel for my 69 but my wheel has a step on the bottom spoke.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 8
From: Enid Oklahoma
I looked at the Grant 791 and went with the wheel that FriscoSteve has and bought it from Corvette America. It is much better quality than the Grant and I am happy with it. I think it is the same one that the other Vette suppliers sell, all around 100 bucks give or take.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
From: NJ
I looked at the Grant 791 and went with the wheel that FriscoSteve has and bought it from Corvette America. It is much better quality than the Grant and I am happy with it. I think it is the same one that the other Vette suppliers sell, all around 100 bucks give or take.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,692
Likes: 29
From: Texas
I have to confess that years ago, I purchased a mahogany Grant from Orange Coast Corvettes. It had to be drop shipped from OCC's supplier. I never received an invoice from OCC and then they went out of business. 
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Onoway Alberta
I can definately appreciate the change to a different steering wheel. My question is my wife thinks woodgrain wheels are for old people. Im 39 and I love the mahogony wheel with partial leather wrap for sale at corvette america. I have a 1980. Would it be cheesy?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Its all about how the car looks and not how old it will make you. I'm 30 and love the mahogony wheel....too bad it doesnt go with my all black interior...
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,309
Likes: 24
From: Coastal Georgia
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
Minor hijack here, but...
Can anyone tell me roughly what an original '75 steering wheel (large diameter) with the faux wood finish in excellent condition would be worth? I have one on my car now, but would like to switch to a smaller dia black wheel...wanted to post the original wheel for sale, but not sure what to ask. They're something crazy like $399 from Ecklers....
Can anyone tell me roughly what an original '75 steering wheel (large diameter) with the faux wood finish in excellent condition would be worth? I have one on my car now, but would like to switch to a smaller dia black wheel...wanted to post the original wheel for sale, but not sure what to ask. They're something crazy like $399 from Ecklers....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Returned Grant 791 got a full refund. The "other" 14 inch wheel came in yesterday, I installed it today and it looks great, better than the Grant. True...it doesn't have a flat dish so you can't stretch out your arms as much but its not as noticeable as I thought it would be. I can even raise my left leg higher than with the flat dish wheel. I got this one from the same place as Steve got his. This wheel does not have the bottom "step" to fill in the void but I have it on without the step and its solid. Total 6 screws holding it together, the fact that there is no step on the bottom does not make it move or shake.
Only problem, my horn doesn't work now, I'm sure its not the wheels fault but something probably got loose when I was removing it.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 483
Likes: 3
From: d.d.o quebec
It was time for a change. My original steering wheel was in perfect condition, but I grew tired of the large diameter wheel. Being 6'1" and no tilt wheel also made it difficult to get in and out of the vehicle.
I went with a new 14" wheel with brushed stainless spokes and a nice leather grip. The wheel came in today via UPS. It looked pretty small, comparitively speaking to the original wheel.
Within 5 minutes, I made the swap. Wow that was simple. I disconnected the horn harness from the horn so it wouldn't scare the crap out of me. Then I removed the cap with a gentle tug, removed the three screws for the horn contact, then removed the six screws for the horn. Old wheel was then off.
To install the new wheel, I attached the wheel with six new screws, attached the horn contact ring with three screws and popped on the original cap. DONE.
It definitely looks smaller then the original, I was curious to how it felt on the road. WOW is all I have to say! For starters, it took out any play the old wheel had and it now feels like a little sports car with a nice thick grip of the wheel. Seriously this was the best $89 mod I've done to this car.
Here are before and after pics:
Before:
After:
It looks better in person than it does in the photo. While it doesn't look 100% OEM, it looks pretty good and driving it is almost like driving a different car. Cool stuff!
I went with a new 14" wheel with brushed stainless spokes and a nice leather grip. The wheel came in today via UPS. It looked pretty small, comparitively speaking to the original wheel.
Within 5 minutes, I made the swap. Wow that was simple. I disconnected the horn harness from the horn so it wouldn't scare the crap out of me. Then I removed the cap with a gentle tug, removed the three screws for the horn contact, then removed the six screws for the horn. Old wheel was then off.
To install the new wheel, I attached the wheel with six new screws, attached the horn contact ring with three screws and popped on the original cap. DONE.
It definitely looks smaller then the original, I was curious to how it felt on the road. WOW is all I have to say! For starters, it took out any play the old wheel had and it now feels like a little sports car with a nice thick grip of the wheel. Seriously this was the best $89 mod I've done to this car.
Here are before and after pics:
Before:
After:
It looks better in person than it does in the photo. While it doesn't look 100% OEM, it looks pretty good and driving it is almost like driving a different car. Cool stuff!
