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I searched but could not find examples of alternatives to the Vega steering wheels that were installed on 1976 Corvettes; perhaps I used the wrong search verbiage?
Anyway, I would love to see what other folks have done to replace their steering wheel on a 1976--especially with a Buckskin interior.
I recall there was just one year for the "vega" steering wheel. If the bolt pattern is the same as later years, 77-82, I believe you can use one of those. Not 100% sure, someone with more experience than me should be able to answer.
To quote myself from a different thread on the same topic:
Originally Posted by Piersonpie
Hope you’re enjoying your ‘76! The NK4 wheel was used on Camaros, Chevelle SSs, corvettes, and yes, the infamous Chevy Vega.
I tried finding a wheel that would fit any of these vehicles. You would think there would be a market for selling a steering wheel that would fit on a 1971 Chevelle SS, but due to their unique hub assembly your options are very limited.
After searching for months and coming up with nothing, I bit the bullet and spent the $300 on the hub conversion kit. Quite expensive for just a couple small parts if you ask me, but I have a nice leather and mahogany wheel on there now. Much better than stock. Plus it’s significantly easier to change to any other steering wheel if I chose to in the future.
There were some 46,000 1976 Corvettes sold, so I thought there would be loads of folks out there that swapped there Vega steering wheel for something else.
I now suppose that I'm one of the very few that think the Vega wheel looks--well--like it belongs on a Vega.
Wow, I'm surprised!There were some 46,000 1976 Corvettes sold, so I thought there would be loads of folks out there that swapped there Vega steering wheel for something else.
I now suppose that I'm one of the very few that think the Vega wheel looks--well--like it belongs on a Vega.
Jason
If you have the tilt/tele column then there's a kit available to mount a 68 Walnut, 69-75 plastic or 77-82 leather wrapped wheel on your 76 column. Unfortunately, if you have the standard fixed column I don't know that there's much you can do to change the wheel. The 76 column is basically the same as the 69-75 columns, but the hub, bell and other parts at the top of the column are different. I assume it's possible to use parts from a 69-75 fixed column to mount a three spoke wheel on a 76 fixed column, but I've never seen it done and I've never looked into what parts might be needed to do the conversion.
As was said above the 76 Corvette wheel has really gotten an unfair reputation for being "the Vega" wheel, when in fact it was used on a number of 70's Chevelles and Camaros, and the only Vega that used it were the GT and Cosworth. I friend of mine bought a new Chevelle SS in 72 and it had the "Vega" wheel and a few years later my brother bought a new 78 Z28 that came with the "Vega" wheel. As SEVNT6 pointed out the plastic four spoke wheel was not limited to 76, but was also the standard wheel with the fixed column in 77-79 Corvettes also.
Below is a link to the conversion kit needed to mount a Corvette 3 spoke wheel on a 76 tilt/tele column.
I've always kind of wrapped my thumbs around the lower spoke.
A bigger issue for me is the wheel being too close even with the tele all the way in.
The 2" cut in the column that also came in '77 with the leather wheel was a big deal...
I disagree....
I don't think it's ugly & I prefer the smaller diameter & thicker grip than previous steering wheels.
I like the size of the Vega steering wheel, I just don't think it's particularly attractive. It looks like it belongs on an economy car---not on a Corvette.
I like the size of the Vega steering wheel, I just don't think it's particularly attractive. It looks like it belongs on an economy car---not on a Corvette.
Jason
de gustibus non disputandum est, is a Latinmaxim meaning "In matters of taste, there can be no disputes"
Yep my then-new Cosworth had a sport wheel.
I added one to my 70 Z28 to replace the awful thin plastic mono spoke Caprice style thing it had.
I wrapped it in Leather and it felt wonderful! Thick, padded and small diameter.
Raced it that way for 27 years.
It looked OK on those two cars due to their plastic-y dashboards.
But I agree the thin steel spoke Vette wheel looks better.
In 15" or 14" diameter.
I'll throw in my 2 cents worth. I've seen a fair few 76's over the years. And if for some unknown reason I were to ever end up with one. The first thing I would do, and I mean straight away! Is change that bloody wheel! It just looks cheap in a otherwise really nice interior!
I disagree....
I don't think it's ugly & I prefer the smaller diameter & thicker grip than previous steering wheels.
I just wish the '77 leather wheel had come one year earlier...
That about sums up my view of the '76 steering wheel. I like my '79 leather wrapped wheel quite a bit better but, to my eye, the '76 wheel was an improvement over previous model years. Just my take. I owned a '76 at one time and I liked the wheel. In any case, when Chevrolet fitted it to the Vega GT, they no doubt delighted Vega owners at the expense of causing some Corvette buyers heartburn--and that heartburn for the most part remains to this day, a half-century later.
I used the '76 steering wheel conversion kit from one of the Corvette vendors over 14 years ago and the chrome 3 spoke steering wheel. Still have it with no problems though looking online tonight I see you need a second mortgage to buy one, geez the inflation
04-15-2024, 09:40 AM
Alternative to Vega Steering Wheel
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