Identifying RPO N34 steering wheel

[David Roberson]

My 63 has a plastic woodgrained steering wheel. Most all factory components were with the car when I bought it, so I dont necessarily suspect that it is incorrect - but then again, it could be swapped from a later model.

My car is SN 120188 - fourth week of July. - From what I have gathered, RPO N34 was offered very late in production, but only 130 buyers opted for this wheel. So, my car fits the timeframe (last two weeks of production is very late production). Is there any way to tell definatively if it is an N34 wheel.

This wheel has radial marks on the spokes (not circular like early 63 cars). The rim is plastic woodgrain.

The only other thing that might be a clue is that my steering column is painted black, but my interior color is red. It is a correct 63-only column, just black instead of red. A closer inspection reveals that it was likely painted red at one point then painted black over the red (either that or there is just red overspray on it near the firewall).

Any help would be great.


1963Vette.com - documentary of a restoration

[Bob R.]

Re: Identifying RPO N34 steering wheel

I believe that the 63 wood grain steering wheel has the same stainless pattern as the colored wheels. This is a 63 only pattern. Check your steering column. The 63 steering column has a couple of things specific to 63. First the directional arm on a 63 has a black end on it. The wiring harness on a 63 has a plug receptical attached to the column tube. The trim collar on the column at the dash should have a smooth radius (No notch). 64 - 67 have a notch in them for the wires to pass through.

[David Roberson]

Re: Identifying RPO N34 steering wheel

My steering column is definately a 63 column with all of the 63-only features. I dont have any reason to think that it is not the original column. I mentioned it only because it is painted black, while the NCRS judging manual states that it should be painted to match the interior color (red).

As for the steering wheel, I am trying to determine if it is original to the car. The steering wheel on my car has radial (not circular) marks running the length of each spoke and a simulated wood grained rim. My car is serial number 120188.

The NCRS "1963-64 Corvette Technical Information Manual & Judging Guide" (third edition) states that:

"Early steering wheels have circular turning marks on the spokes. At approximately VIN 18400, the steering wheels have radial turning marks running the length of each spoke. Simulated wood grained steering wheels may have been offered very late in production as option."

If my simulated wood grained steering wheel had circular marks on the spokes, it would be pretty safe to assume it to be a 63 steering wheel, since that is the only year with circular marks. But my steering wheel has the radial marks. That just confuses things for me. Because since N34 was only offered late in the year, it would be safe to assume that the N34 steering wheel would have the radial marks like the rest of the late production 1963 steering wheels. If anyone knows of a documented N34 wheel out there for a comparison, Id be interested to find out about it.

Im really not trying to convince myself that I have an N34 steering wheel, I just want to make sure I dont remove a rare factory optioned steering wheel if it was, in fact, original to the car.

Thanks!
David


1963Vette.com - documentary of a restoration

[Brian Monticello]

Re: Identifying RPO N34 steering wheel

David -
I grabbed these pictured off the web somewhere but don't remember where - these are supposedly the N34 - I have what appears to be an N34 wheel but its in a '65. Hope these help!

[G B.]

Prototype on eBay

This isn't much help, but the only real '63 woodgrain wheel that I've seen was for sale on eBay earlier this year. I think it was auctioned by Lemmer Corvette. I don't remember if it met reserve although the bidding went over $700.

This wheel appeared to be an engineering sample or prototype. It had some wording and a part number hand etched into the metal near the center. These markings would not have been on a production wheel, of course. The plastic woodgrain looked exactly like the later Corvette wheels to me. The machining marks on the spokes were concentric (circular) like the early '63 wheels.

Brian, I'm pretty sure the photos you linked show a '67 woodgrain wheel. The tip-off is the "breakaway" safety design with overlapping spokes at the center.

[Tom H.]

Re: Identifying RPO N34 steering wheel

Dave- You're really starting to obsess over this wheel. I looked at the results of your hard work and the excellent photos on your web page and noticed all the "repro" chassis chalk marks etc. These are in fact not original and in-fact counterfeit as is the wonderful paint work (without the "original" St.Louis orange peel). Please put the wheel on the car and enjoy it because the car doesn't resemble the car that left St. Louis all those many years ago. IT'S MUCH NICER THAN ANYTHING CHEVROLET EVER BUILT!!

[David Roberson]

Thanks Tom *NM*

[Harmon C.]

Nice pictures Nice Vett Enjoy your ride *NM*