Just curious about steering wheels
- Thread starter slick72
- Start date
Gerald Morris
Senior Member
You need to purchase the leather wrap separate from whatever wheel you get. Those old leather wrappers have become rare, but black was a common enough color, so you might find one. The lace was some plastic stuff, meant to stretch a bit under mild tension applied as you wrap it around the leather.
Here's a pic of one I plan to put on my '83 Dodge's wheel:
I redid my '68 Newport wheel to good result with an old NOS blue wrapper!
They really make an old, chipped, faded, cracked steering wheel pleasant to use again. I wish you luck in getting one.
Last edited:
volksworld
Well-Known Member
those covers were what you'd buy in the 80's at places like Pep Boys to hide the fact that your wheel had cracked...I wouldn't put one on a good wheel cause everybody would think you had a bad one...Google "classic grip steering wheel cover" in images and you'll find a bunch of them
Gerald Morris
Senior Member
Here ya go! Pardon Our Interruption...
Samplingman
Old Man with a Hat
Oh man, back in the 80's first thing you did when you got your license and a used car, run to K-Mart for a a steering wheel wrap and a pair "pleather" finger less gloves!
Gerald Morris
Senior Member
**** hoss, I remember them from the '70s. They were still Cool! then. Genuine leather ones still can be had, but there will be Tariffs on them. Pity that LEATHER can't be MADE IN THE USA ANYMORE! We'll see if that changes, but the emphasis on Big Data promises otherwise....
Thanks so much
In the '70s, the real leather wraps were usually sold by the "better" import car accessory vendors. The DO take a good bit of effort to do RIGHT and TIGHT. As I found out when I bought one and installed it on our '66 Newport. It was also necessary to stretch it a bit for the wheel's diameter, although I bought the correct one.
When installed, it felt nice, but the string was not conducive to "one-finger turning", so I removed it.
In the later 1980s, a friend had a real HEMI 'Cuda with the factory Tuff steering wheel. The rim was getting aged and needed to be replaced. At that time, they were very expensive, not in repro. He found a one-man upholstery "shop" who was recommended to him by a friend who had used him. That guy agreed to do the Tuff wheel.
What he did was to take soem appropriate-sized fuel line hose, split it, and that became the underlayment for the leather cover he installed. When done, the quality of what he did was in the RollsRoyce level of things. For a price that, at the time, seemed "dirt cheap"! It was fantastic!
The wrap on the displayed steering wheel now is one of the "better" versions of a basic "make it look better" product. Nothing wrong with that! IF you wnat a black wheel, get some JB Weld and fill in the cracks, smoothing and sanding as needed, over a few weeks, and then use some quality acrylic enamel paint and paint it black. Dye can do the center horn section. Masking off the emblem.
The problem with the hard plastic steering wheels is that as they age, they will crack, even if fixed. Leatehr can be more durable and look more upscale, too.
Just some thoughts, observations, and experiences,
CBODY67
When installed, it felt nice, but the string was not conducive to "one-finger turning", so I removed it.
In the later 1980s, a friend had a real HEMI 'Cuda with the factory Tuff steering wheel. The rim was getting aged and needed to be replaced. At that time, they were very expensive, not in repro. He found a one-man upholstery "shop" who was recommended to him by a friend who had used him. That guy agreed to do the Tuff wheel.
What he did was to take soem appropriate-sized fuel line hose, split it, and that became the underlayment for the leather cover he installed. When done, the quality of what he did was in the RollsRoyce level of things. For a price that, at the time, seemed "dirt cheap"! It was fantastic!
The wrap on the displayed steering wheel now is one of the "better" versions of a basic "make it look better" product. Nothing wrong with that! IF you wnat a black wheel, get some JB Weld and fill in the cracks, smoothing and sanding as needed, over a few weeks, and then use some quality acrylic enamel paint and paint it black. Dye can do the center horn section. Masking off the emblem.
The problem with the hard plastic steering wheels is that as they age, they will crack, even if fixed. Leatehr can be more durable and look more upscale, too.
Just some thoughts, observations, and experiences,
CBODY67
Gerald Morris
Senior Member
Jawohl! Es muss "gutundteiht sein!" I had to school myself in the Long Ago on how to pull those on also. Came back quick when doing Gertrude's wheel.
I found a good one for ours. Had to look a couple weeks before scoring it though.
Hmmm, ours permits it, but I supplemented w some blue cable ties. Those don't last in the AZ sun though.
If I was down to the steel underlayer, I'd use such an approach. Very encouraging anecdote here!
I like the feel under my hand. I never tire with a leather wrapped wheel.
carguy300
Senior Member
I think you can still find those on amazon.
Gerald Morris
Senior Member
eBay
Ill let you know if I spot one
Looked but still showing out of stock.
Mid70's Chrysler Fanatic
Well-Known Member
My 1976 Winnebago (Dodge B-van cab) has one. That was a “family tradition” in my household too. Mine is labeled “Made in W. Germany;” even without the “W,” a dead giveaway of an antique (not made in China).
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