Steering wheel

[rsk289]

Please would someone explain what is 'incorrect' about the current Motolita 16" wood-rim steering wheel with split spokes? A couple of people have cast doubt on this wheel but I have not heard any reasons for this. The same family still produces these wheels in England as did originally.

[LMH]

I think it had something to do with where the bend is in the spokes.
That’s why I remember anyway. I actually didn’t study it though.
Larry

[rsk289]

Thanks Larry,
I've held mine up next to the one in COB6029 which has been in the museum a long, long time now, and I'm darned if I can see any difference. I seriously doubt 6029's was changed before the mid-seventies when John Haynes bought it.

[LMH]

I actually have never looked into it much but you’d think the tooling would still be the same since it’s it’s still the same family business. Wonder if the wheels someone was comparing are actually not genuine?
Larry

[CompClassics]

The way the spokes are bent is one giveaway. Another is the current wheel are stamped with a logo the originals were not. The wood is also finished to a higher standard on the modern wheels.

[rsk289]

Originally Posted by CompClassics

The way the spokes are bent is one giveaway. Another is the current wheel are stamped with a logo the originals were not. The wood is also finished to a higher standard on the modern wheels.

Interesting. Not sure what wheels you've seen, but I have in front of me two brand new wheels from Motolita and there isn't a single logo to be seen anywhere.

[CompClassics]

rsk289,

Here are the markings that I spoke of, maybe Moto Lita has changed their process and eliminated the markings? Maybe the markings are only on the export steering wheels?

[CompClassics]

Sorry for the blurred photos but it is hard to get between the dash and the steering wheel....

[CompClassics]

Here are photos of an original steering wheel.....

[CompClassics]

Backside......

[rsk289]

These are the best I can get of a new wheel:

[rsk289]

Here's the other side:

[rsk289]

The wood is neater and more uniform than on an old wheel, as helpfully described by Dan - but I fail to see any other differences, certainly when compared with COB6029's.

[CompClassics]

There are differences that are noticeable between an original and a current production part. It’s not just in the wood, it’s in the steering wheel metal shaping.
As a reference is there anyone else here in the USA that has a current Moto Lita wheel that has the stamping?

[Mongoose930]

I got my wheel from Craig (cobrakiwi) who special orders them from Moto Lita. They have the correct spoke bends (closer to the hub), no Moto Lita marking, slotted screws and a wood finish much closer to the originals. Not a ton of varnish / poly on Craig's wheel. The one I purchased from him looks awesome.

[CompClassics]

There is an obvious difference that hasn’t been picked up on yet.....the 1960s original part is the one on the bottom, it is unrestored and from a 13K mile 289 Cobra.

[Mark IV]

The "V" is deeper on the 60's unit

[rsk289]

Do you mean the length of the slots? If so, can you give the measurements? I'd be interested to know as I don't remember 6029's being any different.
Are the spokes narrower on the old one? Hard to tell in the photo!

[JGC1965]

I thought I read in a 1990's Cobra Restorer's catalog that original 427 cars wheel was 17" and flatter. People preferred the 16", easier to get under while getting in the car and being slightly deeper your finger won't hit the cowl.

[LMH]

I think it's where the bends are in relation to the center. The slots look the same to me.
Larry