Restored Steering Wheel

[adigra]

I sent my S/E steering wheel off to Len Chandler for restoration as, when I bought the car, the leather was mouldy, the rubber underneath was crunchy, and the whole thing was pretty unpleasant to hold. Len surprised me and finished the wheel many weeks ahead of what he quoted me, and I received it two days before Christmas. I read about Len both on this forum and in the Brian Buckland book, and he turned out to be one of the most pleasant people I've dealt with, and his work is simply superb. I am so happy with the wheel I had to make a post to both share a couple of pictures, and to praise Len's craftsmanship and friendly professionalism. I couldn't recommend him more.

[alaric]

Excellent. What sort of money is this - my steering wheel is keen for some attention...

Sean.

[adigra]

Hi Sean,

For my wheel it was ?170, which included the rubber and the leather. Len also replaced the boss bolts for me, and painted and polished the whole thing, which was unexpected and very kind of him. But it really is a work of art, the stitching is stunning. I am over the moon about it.

Adi

[Elanintheforest]

Well worth it, Adi. The S3 S/E wheel is one of the rare ones, commanding double the price of the Chapman signature wheel. A mint one sold last year for ?850! I think that I need mine doing as well....

Mark

[gjz30075]

Very nice! Is the rim thicker than stock (which I'd prefer)?

Greg Z

[alexblack13]

Wow! Just wonderfull Adi. True masterpiece. The picture of your wheel and Marks nice pic' had me a moment! I had to go and have a sit in my car, which was fine but I only just fitted my new cover on, and I had to get the stepladder to climb up onto my ramp!!Off came the cover again and I had 10 mins sitting in the car with a nice beer.... Frozen, but grinning from ear to ear.... Mrs B is now positive I have completely lost it.

Well done Adi. (& mark!) Those pictures made my day..

And Mark... Get the duster out. And vac, those carpets when you get a mo'.. Chop chop....

Alex B.....


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Happy 2010 folks<<<<<<<<<<<<

[adigra]

Mark, I entirely agree that it was well worth it. It is such a lovely wheel that really needed to feel as good as it looked (the patina was great, but the rubber was lumpy and the leather left my hands green every time I used it).

It's funny, every time I mention my wheel people tell me it's very rare, which was one of the first things Len told me as well, but I didn't know it was worth quite as much as that. It suits the car so perfectly too.

Greg, yes, it's somewhere between 1mm and 2mm thicker. I also like it a bit thicker, but I'm not sure if it's the rubber or the leather which make it so. The leather used looks and feels very special...

Alex, you put me to shame, I haven't sat in the car since the weather got frosty. My excuse has been that I'm waiting for the new dash to arrive so I'm spending as much time with my wife before the Elan consumes me again.

Adi

[alexblack13]

I am just about stir crazy Adi... I will do almost anything just to go near it. Sad or what?

I will be out under it as soon as I can get the snow off the drive and the Z4 out from under my lift, as I have my (now adjustable) A frames to fit complete with new inner Polybushes. Then just the driveshafts to re connect (easy when you say it quick!).

A good days footering don't you think? I could poss' even spin it out a bit and make it last two!

What's next for you?

Happy days..

Alex...

[adigra]

Alex, well, when the dashboard arrives I will take the old one out and send a couple of the instruments off for refurb (the temp/oil one needs attention, as does the rev counter), some of the chrome is being replated, and I need to have the driver's seat rebuilt as it's collapsed (but I think I'll have both redone)... then I need to put it back together and fit the new seatbelts as well. After that, hopefully, fingers crossed, it will be ready for spring shakedown drives to get the bugs out before driving to classic Le Mans.

I should say that up until a month ago most of the work on it has been mechanical and electrical, so most of what's left (which is known to me at this junction at least) is cosmetic. I've had a number of goals along the way, so a charity run in the Yorks Dales in November was the deadline to get it running properly, the Lotus show in the spring is the goal to have it completed cosmetically, and then Le Mans will be the true test. After that I'm thinking of some Sprint cams...

Adi

[alexblack13]

Brill! Its going to be a super car...

Fancy meeting up for the Lemans trip? What ferry are you thinking off? when? We are going to Goodwood 1st then Lemans after some touring on the south coast. We sail for Caen
thurs 8th... Using the Fasthotel in Lemans. Return monday 12th for drive home..

I would love to meet up with anyone going over for a natter and a beer etc..


Alex...

[adigra]

I'll have to check into the Le Mans plan as I'm going down with the AC owners club (my father in law being a member), but I believe we're doing the same dates as you and sailing to Caen as well. Meeting up sounds fantastic. I think among the ACs in our group there will be at least two Elans as well, mine and another coupe.

Adi

[alexblack13]

Count me in! I would be very happy to meet up prior to sailing for Caen..

Anyone else going? What dates/times?

Alex. Sorry to hijack the thread. Will open a new in '' T I common''

[raygray]

Try Nick Fulger at Wyndham Norfolk.
Mick Miler used his retrimed wheels he did mine some years ago for ?70 in very thin leather.
One of the best trimmers in the country. Trimed a Aston DB5 for a pal of mine.

[Steeringwheel]

Thank you for your very kind comments on my work on your Elan steering wheel.

Len Chandler.

[ElanSeries2]

Len did my S2 wood rimmed wheel. The wonders he worked... Its a beautiful thing now, and I'm (almost) reluctant to put it in the car! As I understand it, Len is "the man" when it comes to Lotus wheels, and he specialises in just steering wheels, rather than more general retrims. I know several people who speak about him in the highest terms. He's also a thoroughly nice fellow too. Thanks, Len.