Teak Steering Wheel?

[Sven C.]

Hi All. This is my first post and I have a question regarding teak steering wheels. I have looked in the forums, but still not sure about this wheel and have attached some pics. This wheel came off of a 1965 Corvette, but is supposedly not made from teak or walnut. I am no expert on this subject and was hoping someone could shed some light on this subject for me. It has 45 high points (not sure how to describe the points between the spaces on the back of the wheel) not including the high points at the spokes and no other stamping or identifying marks. Thinking about purchasing it for my '66, but need a better idea of what I am looking at. Any help is greatly appreciated.

IMG_20151206_164943.jpgIMG_20151206_165155.jpgIMG_20151206_165700.jpg

[Don H.]

Re: Teak Steering Wheel?

Sven
from your photos, I would say you have stumbled upon a genuine original mid year Corvette teak wheel. Very hard to say for sure just from photos, but it looks like it to me,
and, on your very first post in the Tech Discussion Board!
Nice!

[Wayne M.]

Re: Teak Steering Wheel?

Looks good to me; here's mine.

teak-4.JPGteak-3.JPGteak-2.JPGteak-1.JPGurethane_applied.jpgbackside_untouched.jpg

[Don H.]

Re: Teak Steering Wheel?

Wayne
on your picture 5, did you slip in a shot of a normal simulated walnut plastic wheel just to test us?

[Enzo C.]

Re: Teak Steering Wheel?

Hi Sve, check the drive line and you will find a gentleman named Doug Graves . He is a specialist in this field.... Does restorations and well known to the Ncrs

[Wayne M.]

Re: Teak Steering Wheel?

Wayne
on your picture 5, did you slip in a shot of a normal simulated walnut plastic wheel just to test us?

Don -- after several tries I think I got rid of that intruder`

[Sven C.]

Re: Teak Steering Wheel?

Wow!!! Thanks for your quick responses. Found Doug Graves information and turns out he lives about 45 minutes from me in Ontario Canada. Will be taking it to him to have a look at. If it is an original teak wheel, what would be a fair price to pay for it? It has a very small chip in the finish down to the wood and dirty around the top 1/3rd probably due to use. Also, has anyone seen Mr. Graves restoration work? Thanks again.

[Enzo C.]

Re: Teak Steering Wheel?

Sven, Doug is a member of my Ontario chapter and he usually displays and sells at our swap meets. Imo his work is very nice and looks original to factory...

[R N.]

Re: Teak Steering Wheel?

Sven, Doug restored my teak wheel a couple of years ago. I couldn't be more pleased. You'll be very happy with what he can do and he is a gentlemen to work with.

[Joe L.]

Re: Teak Steering Wheel?

Hi All. This is my first post and I have a question regarding teak steering wheels. I have looked in the forums, but still not sure about this wheel and have attached some pics. This wheel came off of a 1965 Corvette, but is supposedly not made from teak or walnut. I am no expert on this subject and was hoping someone could shed some light on this subject for me. It has 45 high points (not sure how to describe the points between the spaces on the back of the wheel) not including the high points at the spokes and no other stamping or identifying marks. Thinking about purchasing it for my '66, but need a better idea of what I am looking at. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]66534[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]66535[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]66537[/ATTACH]

Sven------


I would say it's unquestionably an original 65-66 teak wheel. Some of the reproductions are pretty good but this wheel, while in excellent condition, appears too aged to me to be a reproduction.

[Sven C.]

Re: Teak Steering Wheel?

Met with Doug Graves today and he confirmed it is an original teak wheel. He is an absolute wealth of information. Had a look at his reproductions and they are of the absolute highest quality. Hoping to pay a fair price for this wheel and then off to Doug for restoration. Thanks everyone for all of your input.

[Russ S.]

Re: Teak Steering Wheel?

If you are going to restore a good original, you could just as well buy a repo as as your original will no longer be original anyway.

Met with Doug Graves today and he confirmed it is an original teak wheel. He is an absolute wealth of information. Had a look at his reproductions and they are of the absolute highest quality. Hoping to pay a fair price for this wheel and then off to Doug for restoration. Thanks everyone for all of your input.

[R N.]

Re: Teak Steering Wheel?

If you are going to restore a good original, you could just as well buy a repo as as your original will no longer be original anyway.

When Doug finished restoring my original wheel, he was able to make the necessary repairs/restoration and keep the nice patina that you would like to preserve.

[Paul H.]

Re: Teak Steering Wheel?

Doug Graves made a teak wheel for my 65 many years ago. It looks very much like an original. I've had it so long it has the patina of an original teak wheel. He is a true craftsman.

[Sven C.]

Re: Teak Steering Wheel?

Just a quick update. I ended up purchasing the wheel and took it to Doug for restoration. Got the wheel back yesterday. It turned out that the wood was starting to separate in a couple of areas and Doug was able to repair those spots. Also, there was a small chip near the bottom of the wheel, but I could not see the repair until Doug pointed it out to me. Doug's work is of the highest quality and I would highly recommend him. The wheel even shows the darker original patina that I was hoping for and I could not be more pleased. Have attached a couple of photos.Restored6.jpg