Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hello
Does anyone recognise and know the manufacturer of this steering wheel. I like the wheel and just want to find a 14 inch (or perhaps 13) semi dished replacement to fit the boss as the original horn push works
There are no markings apart from "3B" on the boss
Astrali?


Thanks
Terry

Terry, I think you may struggle to match it, as I believe it is a "Styla" wheel, pretty common in the late 60's / early 70's, very common fitment in the aftermarket to Ford Anglia's.
The later Styla wheels did have "Styla" stamped on the bottom spoke though, inside a diamond shape, but early ones didn't. Styla haven't been around for a long time, so no chance of having one made.
The other possibility is that it is a "John Rhodes" wheel. John was a very successful Works Cooper S driver, who marketed a range of tuning equipment in the 60's, but it is generally thought that he bought wheels in from other manufacturers and stamped them up with his "signature on the front, just above the vertical bottom spoke.
It's widely believed that they were made by Intertech, who made their own wheels.

I guess somewhere along the line (if yours has no marks at all on the front), that one could have got away ?

Styla do come up from time to time on Ebay, I think that's the only way you'll find one in decent condition.

I may be wrong of course.......

Steve
elans3

Thanks Steve,I have set up a few eBay searches , so fingers crossed. I suppose the alternatives would be a Motalita but then you are virtually at TTR 26R replica money.

Cheers again for the info

Terry

Terry,

I bought one of these from Rich Kamp more than 20 years ago, when my wife broke my "Colin Chapman" steering wheel at the spoke hole.

I have something similar to the "Falcon 310" model. I am very pleased with it. It still looks almost new.

http://luisiwheels.com/

StressCraxx / Steve
Thanks for the info
I have checked and surfed on all the names so far and I must admit I am beginning to think its not any of them .....yet
My wheel the inner hole is 2.25inches, and the outer circumference of the boss/center of wheel is 4.5inches , I have put in inches as it seems to be exact

Can anyone measure and check to see whether you have a similar wheel. I have surfed and surfed and the only wheel I found that "looked" right was this one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI. ... TQ:GB:1123 but alas it was a 15inch.
The description said it was Astrali, but I have checked and I cannot find another Astrali wheel anywhere like it.

Looks like options are .......
Carry on the search
Repair old wheel - difficult as we all in rural France
Mountney type - I would prefer not to go this way
Motalita
TTR 26R Replica

Thanks

Terry

terryp wrote:Looks like options are .......
1.0 Carry on the search
2.0 Repair old wheel - difficult as we all in rural France
3.0 Mountney type - I would prefer not to go this way
4.0 Motalita
5.0 TTR 26R Replica

Terry,

Ref: Option 2: From the close-up of the damaged spoke... (download/file.php?id=17290)...I thought it looked like an anodised finish. But you know what thought did!

If it is anodised, though, I think it would be quite difficult having an "invisible repair" done, rural France or not.

Cheers - Richard

how about this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI. ... SS:ES:1123

looks very similar to me.

Nope - hole too big in the center

Thanks for looking
Terry

Try looking for a Momo Prototipo, they can use the OEM horn push center.

As you're now going for the money-no-object restoration, Terry, go for the 26R wheel...they look quite stunning. Otherwise go for something as suggested by Jeff below that takes the original horn push...the modern MotoLitas need a huge piece of plastic to cover their centres and don't look too pretty!

Mark

Mark
I think you may be right ..... and too be completely honest I have just got TTR's last black one
I have spent the last two days looking at 1000's of steering wheels on ebay and none would look right or work particularity well. As this wheel is old I would also be frightened of buying something else on eBay that would not work or would also be cracked.
As for the total budget I am about ?1000* over the yellow car we talked about a while back for a car exactly as we want it. I just have to put all the kit together!
Thanks for the vote , its nice to know I have just ordered the right thing.

Terry

(*Inclusive of all transport costs to France)

I think you have ordered the wrong thing. You should have gone for a red one.

Out of interest, I had an Astrali one like this but with a leather rim back in the days when Tom Jones had his own hair and teeth.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Astrali-Wood-Rimmed-Classic-Mini-Steering-Wheel-Boss-For-Restoration-/300660347587?_trksid=p4340.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DDLSL%252BSIC.NPJS%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BUA%26otn%3D10%26pmod%3D320839234423%252B320839234423%26po%3D%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D6187875008402982616

It had to be a black one to match my bumpers!

My Neighbour here is bringing it down to us on Sunday so I will post a picture with the black horn push

Terry

Terry,
i thought you were after someone elses black federal front bumper
Is your broken steering wheel up for grabs fifo
Alan B

Now Alan,what do you want that old thing for?

Terry