Plus 2 Steering Wheel

[matnrach]

Hello. I have a '69 Plus 2 and am new to the forum.

My car has a nasty Mountney steering wheel and I would like a Lotus one. The original +2 ones are really expensive but the +2S ones are a bit more reasonable. Does anybody know if it will fit or how difficult it would be to make an adaptor.


Thanks.

[daves56]

Usually it's the other way around. I took off my original wheel and put on a Mountney wheel. The stock wheels are too large in diameter and too flexible in my opinion.
Regardless, the Mountney wheels require an adapter while the +2 wheels fit right on. I did not know there was a difference between the +2 and the +2S.
Good Luck,
Dave Sutcliffe
69' +2
77' Esprit V8

[1964 S1]

Not sure about your pricing guide, the +2 wheels are rather "bendable" hence I think (if you can find one) would be cheaper than the sturdier +2 S's. I doubt any adapters would be necessary.
Triumph Spitfire steering wheels also fit right on. (some were rather good looking in the later years,) no adapters needed, at least on my +2. They also fit the smaller Elans.

[hat]

I have an after market wheel of the period for sale if your interested. It was on my plus 2 when I bought the car and i have now fitted the original. It fits straight on. Everybody is right, the original wheels quite flexible by comparison.

I could e mail a pic if required.

Regards

[Kets]

On my plus 2 the original wheel has Colin Chapmans signature on it, is this the type you're after? Or do they all have this.

[matnrach]

Yes I think the original +2 wheel had the Chapman signature on. It is this one I thought goes for a premium. Correct me if I am wrong.

Also if anybody has an original gear knob spare I would be interested.

Thanks.

[1964 S1]

I think the steering wheels were like side badges, individual cars got different items. Organized sequencing not in effect on the assembly line.
Also, some +2's are kit cars, not all had Chapman signed wheels, some were plain and "flimsier" factory items. You're right, the signed one's are the more valuable, and, near the end of production I think some cars had a 3rd style, "more modernized" unsigned version. (not too unlike the contemporary Triumph Spitfire/GT6)
I think the round shift knob is still available from parts suppliers as well as those occasional ebay listings.