Plastic walnut steering wheel

[deathsled]

Once upon a time, I bought a surplus wheel with the intent to have the plastic stripped off and replaced with real walnut. For years I have had this wheel and it surfaced in my garage yesterday while looking for the oil filter wrench. Now I am back on the idea again. Problem in the past was the place that did this service is no longer in service. First off is there any place that does this anymore? Second, are there any markings that should be on the wheel to identify it as an original and not an aftermarket piece? Do the splines go bad on wheels? I understand this can be a contentious issue on the over the counter 66 wooden rims if you can find one.

[427hunter]

Once upon a time, I bought a surplus wheel with the intent to have the plastic stripped off and replaced with real walnut. For years I have had this wheel and it surfaced in my garage yesterday while looking for the oil filter wrench. Now I am back on the idea again. Problem in the past was the place that did this service is no longer in service. First off is there any place that does this anymore? Second, are there any markings that should be on the wheel to identify it as an original and not an aftermarket piece? Do the splines go bad on wheels? I understand this can be a contentious issue on the over the counter 66 wooden rims if you can find one.

The over the counter wheel for the 1966 shelby has no connection to the ford mustang wheel. You would be making a one off custom wheel so that would be up to you.

[deathsled]

Once upon a time, I bought a surplus wheel with the intent to have the plastic stripped off and replaced with real walnut. For years I have had this wheel and it surfaced in my garage yesterday while looking for the oil filter wrench. Now I am back on the idea again. Problem in the past was the place that did this service is no longer in service. First off is there any place that does this anymore? Second, are there any markings that should be on the wheel to identify it as an original and not an aftermarket piece? Do the splines go bad on wheels? I understand this can be a contentious issue on the over the counter 66 wooden rims if you can find one.

The over the counter wheel for the 1966 shelby has no connection to the ford mustang wheel. You would be making a one off custom wheel so that would be up to you.

rim even fooled some concours judges.  Can no longer find the service.  I may go this route because though I like the shape and cut of the original wheel, I am not crazy about the plastic walnut.  We shall see.

[Bob Gaines]

Dallas Mustang Parts was the company that used to do the conversions. You might contact them in case they are aware of others that offer the service.

[deathsled]

Dallas Mustang Parts was the company that used to do the conversions. You might contact them in case they are aware of others that offer the service.

Thank you once again, Mr. Gaines.

[CalSpecial68]

The only problem with contacting Dallas Mustang is that they shutdown several years ago. They went bankrupt and sold all their inventory at auction. I happen to have had the luck of buying the last unfinished wheel kit from them along with a jig to place the wheel on to install the real wood.     

[deathsled]

The only problem with contacting Dallas Mustang is that they shutdown several years ago. They went bankrupt and sold all their inventory at auction. I happen to have had the luck of buying the last unfinished wheel kit from them along with a jig to place the wheel on to install the real wood.     

There must be another place that does it. Maybe I should figure out how to do it myself. Unlikely.

[C Griffith]

There is Man in Michigan that only does restoration of the plastic wheel.
He was at Columbus Oh in the past and in Carlisle this year. His work
was to be proud of. If interested, I'll find his number for you.

[C Griffith]

His name is Bob Nowicki
Cell:(517)449-5322
Lansing, Michigan

[Bob Gaines]

The problem I have seen and heard of with the repaired deluxe plastic rim woodgrain wheel is that it is typical for a crack to re appear in the same place after the repair. Sometimes it appears quickly and other times later. It probably has to do with the flex in the wheel rim while driving. Fortunately now there are some very nice reproduction alternatives that are good enough to typically pass in most concours class's.

[deathsled]

The original is still on the car and it is in decent shape.  I was looking for an unusual modification ( 6s843 being a day two car early on of course) by turning the wheel into a wooden one using the same core because I like the look of the three spoke pattern.  There must be some wood worker somewhere in the US that can do this.  I will find one in time.  Thank you everyone for your responses including Bob for his razor insights in how wheel repairs can go wrong and resurface.