Restoring EFFPI steering wheel

[Skidado]

Hi - I'm looking to restore the EFFPI steering wheel from my 67 GT350 (#2751).

I think the wheel has been 'restored' in the past, as it appears to have lacquer/varnish on the wood rim and on the black plastic tabs that mount the spokes to the rim.  I assume this to be 'wrong'...

Can anyone tell me if the wood rim was originally lacquered or was it raw wood with some kind of oil treatment?

Any advice much appreciated.

David

[67 GT350]

Contact Jeff Stephens, but I believe the black parts should also be polyurethaned. Chances are if it was restored, he did it, and correctly. He is the only man for the job. Is the wood showing age? Pictures?

[1967 eight barrel]

Fran, what would make you assume he's the only one that does them and right? I know at least three. Jeff didn't do the wood grain on two weels right. We'll leave it at that.
                                                                   -Keith

[67 GT350]

Really, what was wrong?

[rcgt350]

There was an outfit in Florida that I sent my wheel to about 18 years ago, they cut the wheel open at two of the spokes to weld them back to the rim, put the wood back in and refinished the entire wheel. It's been good ever since and you can't tell visually that anything like that was ever done. I just can't remember the name of them? Does anyone here recall them?

[ramrace]

Believe their name was Specialty Wheel, Seffner, FL.  Not sure they are still in business.

[Bob Gaines]

Believe their name was Specialty Wheel, Seffner, FL.  Not sure they are still in business.

+1. Unfortunately they are not in business anymore.

[557]

The wood finishing part is actually pretty straightforward providing the wood itself isn't damage..Very time consuming however as you must sand fastidiously by hand with progressively fine grits of sandpaper..Also a lot of drying time if you use gunstock finish as it must dry completely between coats.I put on 20 plus coats so it adds up.Good luck!!!

[Bossbill]

There was an outfit in Florida that I sent my wheel to about 18 years ago, they cut the wheel open at two of the spokes to weld them back to the rim, put the wood back in and refinished the entire wheel. It's been good ever since and you can't tell visually that anything like that was ever done. I just can't remember the name of them? Does anyone here recall them?

This could have been written by me...
My wheel was also re-welded and refinished by a Florida firm over 20 years ago.

And upon looking at the box, yes -- Specialty Wheels did mine.

[67 GT350]

Weird, I have heard lots of good things about Jeff Stephens work on restoring wheels.

[2112]

Really, what was wrong?

I might guess color. I see wheels in the attractive but incorrect reddish color.

I think they are supposed to be more of a yellow-brown

[JD]

Weird, I have heard lots of good things about Jeff Stephens work on restoring wheels.

I had a wheel repaired and restore and two other guys had wheels restored by Jeff Stephens and we were all pleased with his work.  The one car was in concours judging and won gold in Div II - no points off on the steering wheel.

[67 GT350]

I rest my case.

[1175]

Just to add to conversation, there is a huge difference between restoring a wood wheel vs. refinishing. 

Jon

[rcgt350]

Yes, I believe it was Speciality Wheel. Good people as I recall.