Steering Wheel Question

[Bugeye58]

I seem to remember, back in my tawdry past, that some of the early Spits had a "Banjo" style steering wheel. Does this look like the beast?
If it is, I'm thinking of covering it in leather and using it on the GT6.
It's a 15" wheel, with a Triumph logo horn push.
Jeff

 

[Andrew Mace]

Very early Spitfires had a "solid" Herald wheel; 16" as I recall. Mk3 Spitfires had this sort of wheel, and a very similar wheel was found on some TR4 models but with a different dish. (I don't remember offhand which is which.)

 

[Bugeye58]

Thanks, Andrew. I've got one of the early, solid 16" wheels around somewhere. I've always liked the look of the wire wheel, and picked this one up cheap. I may have a go at covering it and see how it looks.
Jeff

 

[Andrew Mace]

Go for it! My original '69 Mk3 Spitfire did have factory leather covering on the rim. A very nice wheel indeed; it's currently on my Herald!

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Didn't the early ones have two-spoke wheels? That's what I recall...

 

[Andrew Mace]

Didn't the early ones have two-spoke wheels? That's what I recall...

Correct! For example ....

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Ah so!

Thanks, Andy!

 

[DrEntropy]

...typical 'rumph... why use three of anything if ya can get away with only two... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif

 

[Bugeye58]

And here's one of a Herald wheel on one of my Bugeyes. I had no idea that they even fit, and it was on the car when I bought it.
Jeff

 

[DrEntropy]

Izzat a wood wheel, Jeff? THAT would be spivin' in the GT6!

 

[Bugeye58]

Nope, that particular wheel is leather covered plastic.
I don't do wood wheels.
Jeff

 

[DrEntropy]

I can appreciate the rationale, but I like the look. With street cars I'm not so paranoid over the issue. I s'pose it'd be more an issue if I got "wood poisoning".

Still, that Herald wheel would look good inna 6.

 

[Bugeye58]

Doc, the wheel currently in the GT6 is a stock one that I re-did the leather on. If I change it, it will be with the "Banjo" wheel that I originally posed the question about. After I cover that one with leather.
The Herald wheel is bolted on one of my California Bugeyes.
The '65 Sprite still has a Villem Haan wood wheel on it, but it had started to delaminate slightly, so that got covered too, after the first sliver I got.
Jeff

 

[Andrew Mace]

And here's one of a Herald wheel on one of my Bugeyes. I had no idea that they even fit, and it was on the car when I bought it.
Jeff

Funny...one of my Heralds came with what I've long suspected is a Bugeye steering wheel. Sorry I don't have a picture of it....

 

[DrEntropy]

I've had some nice results with wood wheels wot looked beyond hope by using small hose clamps and "Gorilla Glue" to bond 'em back together, then sanding and sealing with 'glass resin. The one in the B has been redone that way. Elan wheel is the next one for the process.

 

[BOXoROCKS]

the spit wheel has the deeper dish than the TR4 wheel. Thats a Spit wheel.

 

[TR4nut]

The wheel looks a lot like a TR4 wheel, but in that case I think it would be 16"..

Randy

 

[Bugeye58]

Thanks for the pic, Wyatt. That's what I hope to wind up with after I cover it.
Jeff

 

[Darwin]

Jeff,
Your wheel looks just like the one out of my MK3. Maybe I should check and see if mine is still around? I am in the process of filling and sanding cracks in the plastic so I can epoxy coat the rim. Cleaning the spokes is turning into a real bear of a job.

 

[Bugeye58]

Dar, I'm not looking forward to cleaning the spokes myself.
Doing the leather covering can be rough on the hands, too.
BTW, I bought this on eBay for 16 bucks. I don't think it's yours! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif
Jeff