The mysterious 76 steering wheel!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
The mysterious 76 steering wheel!
What is the deal with the 76 tilt/extend steering collumn? I want to put an aftermarket steering wheel but most say" not for 76 tilt column"! What do I need and where do I get it?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,687
Likes: 3,139
From: Shamong, NJ
The 76 Corvette used the infamous "Vega" wheel, with both the straight and t&t columns.
With the Vega wheel, a number of parts at the top of the column, are different from those used on other Corvette columns. To use an earlier or later 3 spoke Corvette wheel, on a 76, you need to change the lock ring, column ring spacer, column bell, hardware and the horn button.
There is a conversion kit available, to mount a 77-82 wheel, on your 76 column. It runs around $180.
With the Vega wheel, a number of parts at the top of the column, are different from those used on other Corvette columns. To use an earlier or later 3 spoke Corvette wheel, on a 76, you need to change the lock ring, column ring spacer, column bell, hardware and the horn button.
There is a conversion kit available, to mount a 77-82 wheel, on your 76 column. It runs around $180.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
It takes this kit to convert it. http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=27456
It is around 189.00 retail but if you use the sale coupon you'd save on it.
It is around 189.00 retail but if you use the sale coupon you'd save on it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 871
Likes: 73
From: Memphis Tennessee
I checked the Grant website, and their installation kit is $36. Allows you to run an aftermarket wheel. If you're not going original, why spend all that money just to run a "Corvette" wheel?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
the kit sold by the venders allows you to keep the telly, if you do a good search on the grant site, they dont sell a kit for the 76, just before and after. when you contact them for the one listed they will tell you it wont work. Looked for 3 months before I decided my 76 didnt have a vega wheel, the vega has a corvette wheel. potato...potaaahto I'm much happier camper....now
course if you dont want the telly, it may work. I did find a kit for the 76 vega, havent talked myself into spending the funds for another possible shelf decoration though
course if you dont want the telly, it may work. I did find a kit for the 76 vega, havent talked myself into spending the funds for another possible shelf decoration though
Last edited by oldalaskaman; Aug 5, 2012 at 10:39 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Thanks for those who helped! I'm not doing the "Restore" thing to my car! My engine isn't original, so that's out! The Vega steering wheel is kinda blah and was looking into something a little more flashy!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 62
From: Kona Hawaii
R&R'd my Vega wheel when I first got the Vette,hated that wheel.Mine is not a T&T.Looks much better for sure.The hub is part of the Vega steering wheel.That's why you have to buy all the hub parts to replace the wheel.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Just a point of information. Saginaw Steering Gear Division manufactured the C3 steering column assemblies (both the standard, non-adjustable and the tilt & telescoping types.) Saginaw did NOT manufacture or supply the steering wheel, hub, upper horn contact, turn signal lever, tilt lever, hazard ****, etc, (or all the conversion parts shown in the Willcox parts pic.) Some years the lock cylinder and keys were supplied by Saginaw, other years the St. Louis Assembly Plant plugged the lock cylinder into the column.
So when I say that the 1969-76 T&T column or the 69-76 standard columns are the same, I mean that the base column without the steering wheel, hub, etc. That base column did include the ignition switch, turn signal switch, and the lower flange loosely attached to the lower steering shaft.
Jim
So when I say that the 1969-76 T&T column or the 69-76 standard columns are the same, I mean that the base column without the steering wheel, hub, etc. That base column did include the ignition switch, turn signal switch, and the lower flange loosely attached to the lower steering shaft.
Jim