aftermarket steering wheels

[v8mgbal]

ok everybody, what is the best brand and size steering wheel for a midget?

 

[tony barnhill]

Tourist Trophy 1" smaller in diameter than the stock wheel.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

I like the Lecarra wheels (uses a Moto-Lita Hub).

 

[drooartz]

I don't know if there is a "best" -- but there are some good choices. You can get the Tourist Trophy (which is itself a Motolita copy) from your friendly Moss distributer (named Tony) for a good deal. The stock wheel is somewhere around 16.5" on Bugeye or early Midget, and somewhat smaller on the later ones. 14-15" for an aftermarket seems good.

I went a different route and got a custom wheel from a chap named Mike Lempert:

https://www.pbase.com/mdlempert/wheels

It's a 14.5" Derrington style in Rosewood. Exactly what I wanted, though it took a long time to get made. I'd happily do it again, but lots of folks here have been happy with the Tourist Trophy wheels, and they're cheaper and easier to get hold of.

 

[jlaird]

Man that still looks like a million bucks, even with all the use it has had. Oh wait it's still unused, sorry. LOL

 

[Whitephrog]

I agree with Trevor. That's what I have. Great look at a reasonable price.

 

[bill_young]

To some extent it depends on the driver. As Tony said at least 1" smaller in diameter and unless you have really strong arms don't go smaller than 2". The actual wheel and mounting kit is where the problems may lie as some of the kits place the wheel several inches closer to your body than others. Take a look at some of the wheels and find out what brands they are at local British car shows before you make up your mind. I made the adaptor for the wheel in my car and it's about 1 1/2" thinner than most. I've gotten several requests about information on how I made it from other Spridget drivers who are large like me. There's a pretty good photo of it in the coverage of the car on the British V8 newsletter. https://www.britishv8.org/MG/BillYoung.htm

 

[drooartz]

Man that still looks like a million bucks, even with all the use it has had. Oh wait it's still unused, sorry. LOL

Not entirely, Jack. I do sit in the car and make the Vroom Vroom noises...

 

[GeeBee1]

I have a 14" Motolita all Black Holes in my BE and am very happy with it.

 

[tony barnhill]

That's what I like about the Tourist Trophy wheels, Bill...they are at the exact same distance from your body as the OE wheel - but because of the difference in dish, there's more room between the stalk switches & the wheel itself....they're lighter than the OE &, IMO, more comfortable to the grip....& the price is right.

I have real MotoLita's in my cars & Tourist Trophy's & except for the 'MotoLita' script, you can't tell the difference.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

It does all come down to personal preference, and I would not buy a wheel just based on the name. I think the best advice is to go to some car shows and examine different steering wheels until you find one that suits you personally. If you find one you really like, don't let price be an obstacle ... just save a little longer. If all is right with the world it will be the part of the car you touch the most.

 

[bill_young]

Tony that sounds like it would seal the deal for me. Good clearance, comfortable rim. Can't beat the combination. Alan, think you should give Tony a call.
I don't even remember what the brand of my wheel is, bought it at the scratch and dent section at VB years ago without the adaptor. (I'm so cheap, but the budget requires that most of the time) But I like the feel of the rather thick rim with my rather large hands.

 

[v8mgbal]

Thanks for all the input guys looks like I need to grab hold of some wheels and see what I like. The upcoming dillard show should be a good time to try, Tony you got a picture of the trophy wheel.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

https://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=35371

 

[bugimike]

The smaller the wheel, the quicker the steering and the greater the input effort! It really is a matter of personal preferrence!! The choices do range from stock, to "traditional" (banjo, wood-rim, etc.), to "racing"!

 

[jlaird]

Here ya go.

 

[v8mgbal]

Thanks Trevor I have seen those in the moss book but did not know the brand they are nice wheels. Jack that looks very nice.

 

[tony barnhill]

Yep, Jack's is a 14" Tourist Trophy wheel...you can get either a small or large center emblem

 

[Trevor Jessie]

What are the TT wheels made from? Are those spokes polished or a "brushed" finish?

 

[Trevor Jessie]

I mean... what type of metal?