Looking for Small Diameter Steering Wheel
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
Looking for Small Diameter Steering Wheel
I have recently installed C5 seats into my C3. I am having a hard time getting my legs between the wheel and the seat. My current wheel is the the typical 14" diameter. I am looking for 13" or preferably 12". There are plenty of web sights that claim their wheels are universal and will fit but will require an adapter plate...of course they don't sell those.... so really dude, your wheels don't fit....correct?
Anyway, dont get me started on aftermarket "bolt-on" parts.
So....does anyone have any recommendations of steering wheels that will actually fit a 1972 non-tilt steering column?
Thanks!
Anyway, dont get me started on aftermarket "bolt-on" parts.So....does anyone have any recommendations of steering wheels that will actually fit a 1972 non-tilt steering column?
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
I have recently installed C5 seats into my C3. I am having a hard time getting my legs between the wheel and the seat. My current wheel is the the typical 14" diameter. I am looking for 13" or preferably 12". There are plenty of web sights that claim their wheels are universal and will fit but will require an adapter plate...of course they don't sell those.... so really dude, your wheels don't fit....correct? Anyway, dont get me started on aftermarket "bolt-on" parts.
So....does anyone have any recommendations of steering wheels that will actually fit a 1972 non-tilt steering column?
Thanks!
Anyway, dont get me started on aftermarket "bolt-on" parts.So....does anyone have any recommendations of steering wheels that will actually fit a 1972 non-tilt steering column?
Thanks!
These wheels (Nardi, Personal, Momo) are not inexpensive, but they are high quality. The Personal wheel has been on my '73 now about 30 years and it looks terrific. Any vendor that sells these wheels will also sell the adapters. The Nardi wheels have more of a classic sports car look while the Personal wheels are a bit more modern looking.
If you need the name of a vendor that carries them, just send me a PM.
Good luck... GUSTO
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 1,118
From: North tonawanda NY
I have recently installed C5 seats into my C3. I am having a hard time getting my legs between the wheel and the seat. My current wheel is the the typical 14" diameter. I am looking for 13" or preferably 12". There are plenty of web sights that claim their wheels are universal and will fit but will require an adapter plate...of course they don't sell those.... so really dude, your wheels don't fit....correct? Anyway, dont get me started on aftermarket "bolt-on" parts.
So....does anyone have any recommendations of steering wheels that will actually fit a 1972 non-tilt steering column?
Thanks!
Anyway, dont get me started on aftermarket "bolt-on" parts.So....does anyone have any recommendations of steering wheels that will actually fit a 1972 non-tilt steering column?
Thanks!
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from...wheel&_sacat=0 notice the screw holes on the wheels match the oem ones on most.
Last edited by augiedoggy; Jun 12, 2016 at 08:49 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
? Ebay is loaded with aftermarket direct bolt on wheels as well as corvette america, ecklers mid america amazon... the 76 is the oddball though.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from...wheel&_sacat=0 notice the screw holes on the wheels match the oem ones on most.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from...wheel&_sacat=0 notice the screw holes on the wheels match the oem ones on most.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 1,118
From: North tonawanda NY
Gotcha, My stock wheel is 15" like this 69-75 one, a 14" wheel seems a lot smaller.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-1975-Co...pXFa-l&vxp=mtr
I doubt you'll find something as small as 12" but its easy enough to drill holes in a new wheel if you cant.
My uncles c3 came with a smaller steering wheel (like 13") and he does not like it. It does have an adapter though which adds about 2" of column length. due to the older steering system I think it makes it awkward to steer with the smaller wheel.
Last edited by augiedoggy; Jun 13, 2016 at 07:28 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
I bought a 13-1/2" leather-wrapped [black' wheel, with similar spokes to the stock C3, from an east-coast vendor. They still sell the wheel for $99. It's a perfect fit and does not have a larger center hub that sticks out from the horn button O.D.
I used some vinyl dye I had mixed from my interior to re-color the leather on the wheel (after wiping down with lacquer thinner, first). Worked great and no discoloration, cracking, or chipping for 5 years+.
Send me a PM if you would like the vendor's info.
I used some vinyl dye I had mixed from my interior to re-color the leather on the wheel (after wiping down with lacquer thinner, first). Worked great and no discoloration, cracking, or chipping for 5 years+.
Send me a PM if you would like the vendor's info.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
I bought a 13-1/2" leather-wrapped [black' wheel, with similar spokes to the stock C3, from an east-coast vendor. They still sell the wheel for $99. It's a perfect fit and does not have a larger center hub that sticks out from the horn button O.D.
I used some vinyl dye I had mixed from my interior to re-color the leather on the wheel (after wiping down with lacquer thinner, first). Worked great and no discoloration, cracking, or chipping for 5 years+.
Send me a PM if you would like the vendor's info.
I used some vinyl dye I had mixed from my interior to re-color the leather on the wheel (after wiping down with lacquer thinner, first). Worked great and no discoloration, cracking, or chipping for 5 years+.
Send me a PM if you would like the vendor's info.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
So, not being able to get straight answers from most places that specialize in steering wheels and the pathetic selection for our C3 Corvettes I just figured it out myself. Sparco was able to provide enough information to allow me to determine that their steering wheels would be close regarding center hole and bolt circle diameter. I managed to find a 13" wheel with a flat bottom that worked perfectly. See pics below. All I did was elongate the existing holes for the horn assembly and drill new holes for mounting using the existing steering wheel as my template.
Last edited by KJL; Aug 18, 2016 at 10:33 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
I am 6'5" or was, about 20 years ago....I kept my '72 seat but dropped the back mounts outta there, so it's lowered about 2" in rear, cut the carpet/liner out fron the front bolts also....I have a '78+ TT column in there with a 14" wheel covered with those wraps you pick up at parts houses.....I still had wheel/leg problems.....so about 15 years ago I cut the floor/firewall across and below the steering wheel...pushed it forward about 3 inches and glassed it in.....cut/welded the brake pedal to push it forward, heated and bent the gas pedal lever so both of them now fit fine....since then I converted to hydroboost brakes with about a 2' travel, and MUCH better braking.....another topic....
but with a 14" wheel even my legs clear the wheel FINE now there is basically no other solution for ME, anyway.....dunno nuttin about other seats, just remember that one of the prime reasons for my selling my '87 vette was at that time a issue with seating comfort that has NO solution, width and all those silly bolsters....
I drive in the James Dean slouch position. right elbow on the console pad, left hand on the rack steering......SNORE comfy......
but with a 14" wheel even my legs clear the wheel FINE now there is basically no other solution for ME, anyway.....dunno nuttin about other seats, just remember that one of the prime reasons for my selling my '87 vette was at that time a issue with seating comfort that has NO solution, width and all those silly bolsters....
I drive in the James Dean slouch position. right elbow on the console pad, left hand on the rack steering......SNORE comfy......
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Le Mans Master
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From: Akron Ohio
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What exactly was the difference in bolt pattern? It looks real close, just maybe clocked a little different? Could you have mounted the "hub" differently to get the holes to line up?
I like the idea and looks of the old school big wheel, but I need something smaller as well.
I like the idea and looks of the old school big wheel, but I need something smaller as well.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
What exactly was the difference in bolt pattern? It looks real close, just maybe clocked a little different? Could you have mounted the "hub" differently to get the holes to line up?
I like the idea and looks of the old school big wheel, but I need something smaller as well.
I like the idea and looks of the old school big wheel, but I need something smaller as well.
Last edited by KJL; Aug 24, 2016 at 08:44 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,682
Likes: 3,434
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Good to know! Thanks!
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 130
Likes: 10
So, not being able to get straight answers from most places that specialize in steering wheels and the pathetic selection for our C3 Corvettes I just figured it out myself. Sparco was able to provide enough information to allow me to determine that their steering wheels would be close regarding center hole and bolt circle diameter. I managed to find a 13" wheel with a flat bottom that worked perfectly. See pics below. All I did was elongate the existing holes for the horn assembly and drill new holes for mounting using the existing steering wheel as my template.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
