Hi Kelvin,
Hopefully I can find a match or repair this one. Are there any "modern"
suppliers that produce steering wheel that utilize the stock horn push?
I the article about rebuilding a steering wheel with a wood rim on the "My
MGB in CANADA" site.
http://members.attcanada.ca/~hinges/mgb/sw.htm
I would want to use a hardwood for that if possible though. Has anyone
else tried this? Do all steering wheels have the metal ring in the center?
Patton
At 01:23 PM 3/6/2002, Dodd, Kelvin wrote:
>David:
>
> Very typical after-market wheel for the time of the car. It is very
>possible that it was dealer installed to spiff up the car, or during the
>first few years of use. The same type of wheel was installed as Lawrie
>commented on the GT Special Edition, along with a wooden shift knob and some
>other bits as spiff ups to move the cars.
>
> The 63-67 banjo wheels were very weak and many failed or threatened
>to during the early life of the car. It is very unusual to find a good
>original condition one, hence the popularity of after-market wheels. The
>large diameter, and unsporting hard plastic were also reasons for
>replacement. There were a number of companies that produced nice wooden rim
>alloy spoke wheels that accepted the original horn center assembly.
>Personal and Haan are a couple that come to mind. Somewhere I have an old
>MG Mitten catalog from the 60s with a listing.
>
> The 68-69 banjo wheel though similar in style was much stronger, and
>a number of them have come through the years intact, causing all kinds of
>confusion to the owners of earlier cars who think they will bolt on.
>
> I would suggest hanging on to the wheel you have, as it is a bit of
>history. It is feasible that the rim could be reconstructed, but it looks
>like you have other more important things to work on first, though it's
>amazing what you can do with foam rubber, bicycle handlebar tape and a
>leather cover.
>
> Back in the 80s, the scrapyard I was at made good money by taking
>later 70-76 wheels and broaching them out to fit the early cars. This gave
>the owner a durable wheel for a very reasonable price. Nowadays one of the
>readily available replacement wheels is the way to go. I use a Motolita on
>my 65.
>
>
>Kelvin.
------------------------------------
Patton Dickson - Richmond, TX
1965 Corvair Monza 110/4sp 'vert
1967 MGB MK I Roadster
http://carport.virtualave.net/
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