Any steering wheel construction experts?

Tom Richardson

I'm starting to redo the interior on a '65 Alfa, this one actually mine vs. a customer car. While the "flavor" will definitely be original/period correct, I'm making a number of subtle modifications to suit me better. One change I want to make is the steering wheel. Currently I have the original wheel but the finish on the frame is cracked and falling off. Additionally, it's a 400mm diameter wheel and I'd like to go to something closer to 360mm. However, I want to preserve the inner spokes and hub of the wheel. So, what I want to do is (somehow/somewhere) get a 360mm frame and attach it to the center spokes which I will modify to fit. Then I want to wrap the rim in some thin padding and wrap with leather. In particular what I'm looking for is the appropriate material and technique to add padding to a metal rim on a steering wheel. Has anybody done this and provide me some guidance? Thanks in advance.

Cody Lunning

I have no experience but I know most who modify new style wheels use a 2 part foam. Some have molds made even to get the desired shape. Others I have seen use fiber glass and filler. But that seems to be a lot of work to me.

paul thundercliffe

I once had a customer bring a classic wheel to me that he had removed all the cracked Bakelite plastic from hoping to get it redone. when realising the cost he asked if I could help and my solution was to get rubber hose with same diameter hole running through it to what the wheel rim substrate was and cut it down the length rebonding it onto the rim with areldite making the join at 6 o’clock for leather seam. Once set I used body filler to level out spokes and then recovered it in hide. Looked spot on and worked great. Hope that helps with your ideas

LEONARD DORNBUSH

↪Tom Richardson

↪Cody Lunning

Hi Tom, In consideration of the actual man-hours for what your are describing, I think there are more solutions to consider than modifying your existing steering wheel. I would recommend looking at vintage wheels from Momo and Nardi - and not touch or modify the original wheel - several models of Alfa's from this period are rising in value - and your original wheel - even with the damage - is more valuable to keep as is.
I have used Momo and Nardi wheels on many vintage Ferrari's/Lambo's/Maserati's which look period correct - and you can order the diameter which chooses your needs.

Tom Richardson

Thanks for the feedback folks. The rubber hose around the rim is certainly one I'd not considered. Leonard Dornbush, thanks for your thoughts too. I too have used Momo wheels (not Nardi's) and like them, but also really like the idea of keeping an original element of the wheel. Decisions, decisions...

Any steering wheel construction experts?

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