VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 Steering wheel picture

Lets see if I can get a picture on here to begin with.

As I have told y'all before, I am an avid woodworker. as such I know other woodworkers. I put all my tools in storage prior to going to Iraq, which is where they remain at this sitting. Due to health reasons, they will remain there indefinitely.

I needed a steering wheel for my ol car and had a friend make one for me. He lives quite a distance from me. All he had to go on were measurements given via e-mail and a small piece of the old wheel, about 4-5 inches long.

There are 2 mistakes I see. The finger notches are a tad deep and there should be a flat spot where the spider meest the wood. Other than that I think he did an excellent job.

The wheel is made from white oak that is at least 80 years old.

When (if) I ever get my shop back up and running I can make the necessary corrections and also make wheels for anyone who would need one.

I have one question, what do y'all think of this steering wheel?

Its beautiful!!

That is a nice looking steering wheel, however it does not match the decor for the rest of the car.

Since you ask, don't get upset, but in late 1925 the steering wheel was Walnut with finger grips, changed from the earlier Mahogany finish without the grips. Your wheel is also missing the center retainer area which was aluminum. (Possibility that you have it and it doesn't show in the picture).

Your steering column is from an early 1925 as the spark and throttle are under the steering wheel and not down at dash level on the late.

Your steering column also is missing the horn button which was small and in the center of the wheel and painted black.

Hey Ray...

Some time back I asked for, in this very forum, about steering wheels for a 1926 Chevy. I got very little information. I'll look for that thread in a few minutes and if I find it, I'll put a link here.

I believe I commented in that thread that I had read they were made out of Black Walnut in the earlier years, followed by White Oak with a Walnut stain. I believe I also read and repeated here that in 25 & 26 they were painted black.

Yes, the info I had was contradictory. I easily found info for 28's but not earlier.

The horn button is enroute. I ordered it this week from Gary. I know of nothing else that would be aluminum on the wheel. If you could send a picture, I would very much appreciate it.

Having said all that, I do appreciate your comments.

Aren't you the gentleman who told me to make the car operational and let it go at that, just enjoy it? I may have you confused with someone else though.

If the car is too far gone, as I belive you told me, then I am free to rebuild or repair it as I see. Would that not be correct?

If I need to stick within certain guidlines, as you imply, then I would need to know what those guidlines are and for what year.

Most all the information I get comes from research. I know of no one in this area who has anything resembling my car. Nor do I know of any car clubs in this area, although I don't doubt there are some here someplace. All the clubs I do know of think an 85 is ancient and a 26 should be turned into a hot rod or, as one man who wanted to buy it suggested, use it in a rodeo.

Again, thanks for your constructive criticism and help. I knew y'all would be of assistance.

Here's the link I mentioned.

https://vccachat.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=20;t=000712

Here's what you said:



Forum Member # 13

posted April 05, 2005 02:14
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I have been sent to the books on the steering wheels.
The following information is extracted from the Dealers Albums for each year.
1925: 16” steering wheel. No information on the finish.
1926: 16” steering wheel. No information on the finish.
1927: 16” steering wheel. No information on the finish.
1928: 17” steering wheel. Finished in brown and equipped with rubber grips.

From a newspaper article on the changes implemented on the 1925 mid year model is the following statement: A walnut finish steering wheel with notched finger grips on the inner diameter replaces the former mahogany type.




RAY
Chevradioman


A Walnut "finish" is not necessarily walnut wood.

You sign off on each of your postings as :"1926 Chevy Roadster". Unconsciously, we have a tendency to reply in reference to that label.

In fact you do the same thing:
My original statement that you should make the car road worthy and enjoy it still stands.

Quote:

"You sign off on each of your postings as :"1926 Chevy Roadster". Unconsciously, we have a tendency to reply in reference to that label.

In fact you do the same thing:"

What would you recommend?

I think I'd put it in my 23 if I needed one. It looks like he did a real nice job.

Aren't the clutch and brake pedals from a '28? My '27s have oval stamped pedals. .
. My steering wheels are in 8 pieces with dove tails. .
. Good Luck. . . .

I've seen pics with the wheels made from both 6 and 8 sections. I could find no literature on that subject.

I based my decision to go with 6 pcs on several pictures of originals. Only after the work had started did I come across a picture of an original with 8 sections.

I've never seen one with dovetails. All the ones I've seen and/or read about were assembled with finger joints. Rather large ones at that.

I don't know about the clutch and brake pedal.

That is a beautiful wheel, On the models that had painted wheels the type of hardwood used would not really matter (IMHO). Making something like this is not an easy job...it would drive me nuts getting the the pieces to fit right.

Lou, are you sure you mean 'dove tails'? All I have ever seen were finger joints.

I think that is a fine looking wood steering wheel. I sure is way better that anything I could make. For the 'nitpickers' that correctly point out the wheel should not have been oak (and maybe was originally fabricated from walnut) I took a look at BOTH my original 26 Chevy's (which I presume are original steering wheels. I can't certify that as I haven't owned them for 79years...but I think they're correct) and they appear to be maple...but stained walnut.
The orignial wheels have a very tight uniform grain (no visible knots) light colored (except where the stain remains). Now here is the true test: a friend of mine 'repaired his 25 Chvy wooden steering wheel with a piece of wood scavenged from an old 'rock'maple bed headboard. A perfect match! So I'm thinking maybe the steering wheels were originally rock maple with walnut stain. While we are all on the wood topic, what kind of wood is in the original frame?

I have recieved more than a few e-mails regarding steering wheels and my car.

All say the steering wheel is well done and all say they cannot confirm wood types of the wheels.

I did get this picture of a very interesting steering wheel from a man who asked me to post it here because he did not know how. He did not say I could use his name and until he does I cannot say who sent me the picture. That is a liberty I will not take.



I've seen one other wheel like this and it was on a 26 Chevy Roadster in France.

I would need a much closer view to ID the wood. It does appear to have had a dark stain on it at one time though.

Note the aluminium centre trim is clearly visible in this photo. I think it is present on the subject wheel but has been painted black?
Tim.

That is correct. It was scarred and I figured better to paint it black and hide the sins.

I have it in my skills the ability to make it look pretty good if not new and will start on that soon.

I have a complete steering wheel and column I beleive it is from a 25-26 truck any interest ?

I doubt it would fit my car.

Does anyone know what year this wheel comes from with the flat sides???

rbl2 My '26 Sedan has a six piece steering wheel with finger joints and walnut finish. Your wheel looks very nice.

I've seen pictures of two cars with those flat edged wheels. Both were 26's.

I still have pics of the one. It's a beautifully restored roadster in France

There's a 1928 Chevy for sale on Ebay. It has an eight piece steering wheel. Wood finish.

Well done guys you have really confused the issue and not even got close to identifing the correct steering wheels.

The first photo shows a 1925-26 steering spider/centre with a painted aluminum centre trim. This trim and wheel is only used on the 1925-26 car and 1925-28 truck. The centre horn button assembly is totally missing and should when fitted hide the nut.
The truck steering wheel and box appear to be the same as the car in 1925-26 and only the outer tubing is changed. All the examples that I have delt with have been interchangable.
The second photo is a 1927 and early 1928 only steering wheel spider/centre. As for the wooden rim I have yet to see any evidence that would confirm this as an original factory item. The aluminum centre trim is different to the earlier photo and is only used on the 1927 28 passenger car.
1927 Factory literature that I have states that the wooden rims were stained with black japan and give the appearance when worn that the were painted with black paint. I have been unable to find anything that shows the wooden rims were clear varnish.
As for your original question the wheel looks great and if your happy then great drive and enjoy it and forget about the points that you will loose in a show. Just have fun.
TWIN4

Black Japan staining would make alot more sense to me than paint. Even the best pf paint would wear more quickly and have a tendency to show on your hands.

Thanks Twin4.

If it would be possible for you to email me copies of that literature I'd be most appreciative.