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!

 

Looks great. I love the silver with red

 

I likes

 

Looks great! Yes, I put the black leather one w/ polished slotted spokes on my Corvette a long time ago & have been rec. it. Ideal.

 

Looks great! I agree, taking off the wheel and working on these old columns aren't difficult at all. I'm planning to put the chrome finish version of that wheel in my 68 after I install PS this winter. Until then I need the larger wheel for leverage with those larger tires and MS. Well done!

 

Good choice Steve. Maybe I will see ya at C&C this Saturday. Now that the temps are finally below 100*, should have a nice crowd again....

 

Very nice! And I agree!

 

It's unreal how different the car feels now, very cool!

Rob, I'll be a CnC this weekend. Not sure if in this car or a new one I just got. I must have something for 73's as I just picked up a '73 Mercedes 450SL. Pretty cool car. V-8 and fuel injected rag top!

 

Same wheel that I bought, except for chrome instead of brushed metal look. Also, I masked off the metal parts and sprayed the leather with SEM ColorCoat vinyl "dye" to match the interior. No one has ever commented on it not being original to my '71 coupe (that includes show judges).

And, yes, it feels and looks much better than that BIG, old, black plastic wheel (which I still have tucked away).

 

That looks really good. Im not one to stay ALL original so to me i think you have made a great choice. Looks alot better and as you say feels alot better.

 

Am I going to get flamed if I say I don't like it? It's personal tast of course, as always with these things. I like the wheel itself - I just think it looks as if it doesn't belong.

But then again, nothing that can't be easily undone. I gotta say I used to have a small diameter steering wheel myself and went back to original. Mainly because of looks but also because the lack of power steering made for some serios work for my arms.

Enjoy your ride and I do like your red interior.

Martin

 

DID THE SAME THING. WENT TO A 14" WHEEL . THE SAME ONE AS YOURS. WORTH EVERY PENNY.

 

No issues, won't get flamed by me! I hear ya, but look, that picture really is a crappy picture and doesn't do it justice. I am NOT one for adding aftermarket crap, but this wheel just made sense for me. I fit better in the car, can get in/out easier, love the feel of the grip and the way it steers now is like a whole new car.

The good news is that my original wheel is pristine and I kid you not, I could switch it back in 5 minutes if needed.

It may not be for everyone but for $89 and five minutes of my time it was way worth it!

 

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.

 

Charley, would love to see how it looks.

 

I did the same thing, but went with the chrome spokes. The only regret I have is that if I had it to do over, I would have gotten the brushed finish. On sunny days, occasionally the sun glints off the wheel and is distracting. I agree on the feel of the steering though, big improvement.

 

That was my fear actually and why i went with the brushed strokes. Crazy how that first ride was with the new wheel huh? Much more sporty.

 

This is what I read another member wrote who is over 6' tall:

Because this smaller wheel does not have a deep dish, the wheel is moved away from the driver by around....I guess inch and a half? The member claims that because of this, his left knee hits the wheel directly as when before the wheel would touch the quad area. Now that it touches the knee, he has less room to raise his left leg.

Can you comment on this? I am ready to pull the trigger on this wheel but wouldl ike to know what you think of the above claim.

 

I'm only 6'1" but I have more clearance than I had before. I just went out to the garage and checked again. The wheel is still at the quad area. The clearance is night and day difference. I have not noticed anything that shows less clearance then before the install.

All around A+.

If you need more details, pics, whatever, let me know.

 

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.