How rare are these and what's it worth?

[68NewportSportVert]

I have a translucent/ clear steering wheel that's for a tilt column. In the areas where it wasn't exposed to the sun it looks like it was red. Was thinking about using it in my Newport, but I'm in south Florida and it's a convertible. Want to change the interior color from black but I think red would still get too hot so I'm leaning towards white.
Any input as to how much difference white vs. red would make in comfort when driving with the top down? How about temperature and glare?
Any idea how rare these are and what the value is now? How much to restore?

Thanks,
Mike

This is not my wheel but it is in similar condition, but with a more gold/brownish tint to the plastic.

 

[413]

White interior is a huge plus in the hot sun. I’ve owned 2 and the white was by far cooler.

 

[commando1]

It's a core for a 15 hundred+ dollar restoration.
What's a core worth?
@saforwardlook If you need it, what you pay for it.
How many people need a core enough where they'll put another 1.5k.on top of it?

Also, since it's a core, I'm thinking the original color may be insignificant.

I want the car that comes attached to it. lol

 

[413]

The steering wheel resto guy wants an already chromed wheel to restore. They charge more if you use a non chromed one to start.

They definitely will re-chrome it. A chrome plated wheel is finished off better Than a non chrome one, because nobody will ever see the metal through the colored plastic.

 

[68NewportSportVert]

The chrome is in good condition, but because of the cracks it would need to be recast. As mentioned, at this point the original color wouldn't matter as it can be done in whatever color you choose. It is a really cool looking wheel but $1500+ to restore

 

[73Coupe]

I might be inclined..... but making the mold would be the hard part.

 

[68NewportSportVert]

Was able to get this from my phone:

 

[Newport 66]

You can buy a Eastwood restoration kit and do it yourself or reach out to Charlie Quarters at [email protected]. He restored my 300 wheel and did a fantastic job on it. He also did my '62 Polara 500 wheel back to the factory white with the original small chrome bands. Cost is dependent on condition but may be in the $400-600 range. Good luck

 

[68NewportSportVert]

I might be inclined..... but making the mold would be the hard part.

View attachment 393647

Yeah me too. I'm just stubborn and persistent enough that I might be able to make it work. I also have a 'normal' wheel could use to make a mold.

 

[saforwardlook]

It's a core for a 15 hundred+ dollar restoration.
What's a core worth?
@saforwardlook If you need it, what you pay for it.
How many people need a core enough where they'll put another 1.5k.on top of it?

Also, since it's a core, I'm thinking the original color may be insignificant.

I want the car that comes attached to it. lol

Cores have no significant value since they are not hard to obtain generally (maybe a little if the chrome is really nice, but often the restorers will have them rechromed before recasting them anyway). But you are correct that restoration of the wheel would be in the $1200 plus range for a well-done one. Agree that original color of the core is not relevant as well Stan.

 

[bluefury361]

a recast of a transparent steering wheel runs around 2K these days. Add the core charge to that.
My 61 Plymouth deluxe, "aero" wheel recore cost $1300.00 a few years ago. (My steering wheel). Done by D&D in North Carolina. Cost has gone up since then. Epoxy repair and paint is a less expensive option.

 

[Polara_500]

a recast of a transparent steering wheel runs around 2K these days. Add the core charge to that.
My 61 Plymouth deluxe, "aero" wheel recore cost $1300.00 a few years ago. (My steering wheel). Done by D&D in North Carolina. Cost has gone up since then. Epoxy repair and paint is a less expensive option.
View attachment 393680

But that is such a pretty wheel. Virgil will be so spoiled.

 

[Newport 66]

Curious what your direction here is. You mentioned it's a transluscent steering wheel but then ask about going with red or white. If you want to do the clear it will be very costly, the route I described in my previous post was colored, not restored transluscent. Sorry of I misinterpreted your question.

 

[68NewportSportVert]

The red/white question is about interior color and the comfort/coolness in a convertible. White would obviously be cooler, but I was wondering how hot the red would be? I have a black vinyl interior now that gets VERY hot. I imagine the red would be similarly hot but thought I'd ask from members with experience.
The reason I was considering the red interior is because of this wheel (not original to the car) that was red translucent and I think would really set the car off.

The red one does not look as bright as the blue, I don't think the rim is chromed underneath.

 

[3175375]

The red/white question is about interior color and the comfort/coolness in a convertible. White would obviously be cooler, but I was wondering how hot the red would be? I have a black vinyl interior now that gets VERY hot. I imagine the red would be similarly hot but thought I'd ask from members with experience.
The reason I was considering the red interior is because of this wheel (not original to the car) that was red translucent and I think would really set the car off.View attachment 393785 View attachment 393786
The red one does not look as bright as the blue, I don't think the rim is chromed underneath.

Those steering wheels are simply gorgeous!