Wood Rim Steering Wheels

[Mazzini]

I'm interested in buying a spare wood rim wheel for my S2, but there seems to be a great variation in price, a wheel from PMS is around ?325 whilst a wheel from the 26 Register is ?650. Are there multiple wheel manufacturers? I've not seen any of the wheels in the metal - are some better quality than others?

Anybody seen any of the wheels? Your thoughts are appreciated.

[Gray]

Hi

I've got a surplus woodrim from my S4, don't know the origins but condition looked Ok lat time I saw it, I can dig it out if you're interested.

regards Gray

[Mazzini]

Please - I'd love to see it.

Many thanks

[garyeanderson]

I have a couple original wood wheels, lots of horror stories on this forum about them snapping. I don't know if the reproductions are made the same way but my guess they are as they are trying to offer "originality" over safety. I am not sure what I will use when I finally get something running but i'll have to make that decision (I hope) soon. I really think they belong on the mantle but that just my opinion.

elan-archive-f16/snapped-wheel-t3561.html

If I were to be spending money I would probably give Tony Thompson a call and get one of those red wheels (it got to be fast) and it may be a bit safer than holding on to a couple wooden stakes of Dracula with your hands.

5 wheels, the center 3 I will use, the 2 Elan wheels are mantle display for me, The Chapman wheel (upper left) has been welded and the 64 glued (upper right). I do like the Les Leston wheel and the nardi too as they have a center of ally that is wood clad front and rear. New reproduction wood wheels may be better but?

[types26/36]

Deleated

[Mazzini]

Thanks gents, I'm familiar with the original wheels, but I was wondering if anybody had knowledge of the new ones?

Sorry if I didn't make that clear in my original post.

[casalunge]

Clear as mud dear fellow as always.

A certain Gent from Lymington has one on Ebay at the moment, inference is its an original so in reality it is a repro .

Wooden wheels shattering, folk will be asking for airbags next or better still buying an Elise

The Alternative Command Structure

[Mazzini]

Clear as mud dear fellow as always.

A certain Gent from Lymington has one on Ebay at the moment, inference is its an original so in reality it is a repro .

Wooden wheels shattering, folk will be asking for airbags next or better still buying an Elise

The Alternative Command Structure

I'm sorry I must have been sober when I wrote that.

Anyway what are you doing on this forum? Surely Low Flying would be more down your strada

[garyeanderson]

I knew what you were asking and you got the answer I gave. To buy an expensive reproduction to pose with seems as useless as tits on a bull. New or old, my opinion is still the same and I am clearly not the poster child for safety as someone suggested. I managed to live through my young and dumb years, now that I am into my old and stupid years I can laugh at those things and come away with a perspective that I did not, nor could have had. I wouldn't consider my S2 as a safety car but the wheel that is in was in it when I bought it in 1976 and it will stay in my hands for a number of years to come. Like I said, buy the 26r reproduction wheel.

[Mazzini]

I knew what you were asking and you got the answer I gave. To buy an expensive reproduction to pose with seems as useless as tits on a bull. New or old, my opinion is still the same and I am clearly not the poster child for safety as someone suggested. I managed to live through my young and dumb years, now that I am into my old and stupid years I can laugh at those things and come away with a perspective that I did not, nor could have had. I wouldn't consider my S2 as a safety car but the wheel that is in was in it when I bought it in 1976 and it will stay in my hands for a number of years to come. Like I said, buy the 26r reproduction wheel.

S2 interior.JPG

Thank you for your opinion.

Now getting back to the question asked (talk about thread drift). If anybody has experience of the replica wheels I'd like to hear from you - thanks

[casalunge]

Another forum, I haven't the time - too busy trying to prise an airbag behind that valuable original Lucas horn push without damaging it.

Was it that American chap Nader who said unsafe at any speed

Talking of of America does the S3 come upto expectation?

[Mazzini]

Talking of of America does the S3 come upto expectation?

Duties and shipping paid, just waiting for the green light from the shipping company to go collect the car - watch this space

[Elan41963]

Buy the TTR wheel. Its a flat nice wheel, looks great in the car. I really thing the original wood looks great, the repros just aren't worth it.

[zog]

I bought a wood wheel from Alpha Steering Wheels for one of my restorations. I thought it was beautiful and it was as strong as a new wood wheel could be. I just told the new owner not to use the steering wheel to pull himself forward to adjust the seat.

http://alphasteeringwheels.co.uk/wheelexamples.html

[Mazzini]

'Allo Zog,

Thank you for sharing your experience.

I remember seeing the photos of the wheel on your Elan - great restoration job by the way, I was tempted, but I already have an S2.

I tried emailing Alpha steering wheels, but I never got a reply.

All the best,

Mazzini