With respect to the engine vacuum for the brakes, you first need to get some data. What vacuum reading do you have at idle? How does that compare to what the booster requires?
You should investigate electric vacuum pumps for cars. Many turbocharged vehicles require one. Those engines can operate in boost mode for extended times so there is obviously no vacuum to run a booster.
Changing the steering wheel will be a case of finding a steering wheel that you like that has a hub to match the splines and taper of the steering shaft. You might go to some of your local cruise-ins and car shows that have custom cars and rods. Those owners might have some ideas.
A big factor to consider is what diameter steering wheel works well with the overall steering ratio in the car. In these older cars the steering wheels were larger diameter to provide leverage for steering.
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