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Prototype Steering wheel

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  • Sam D.
    Expired
    • May 31, 2006
    • 112

    Prototype Steering wheel

    Has any one ever seen this prototype steering wheel that I believe goes with my car I found in a barn. The specs on the wheel are as follows:

    This prototype wheel has a more shallow depth than the original teak-wood Also the round part where your hands grip it, is more elliptical shaped than the other one and smaller in diameter. The craftsmanship is by far superior to the original in several ways. The finger spaces are smaller and the whole wheel is a smoother finish than the other. The wheel appears to be seamless all over. The framing is also made out of
    made out of aluminum in stead of stainless. The holes are round on the aluminum, and it is slightly ob longed as well. The teak ring is higher on the face as well. I believe there were only 6 of these wheels made.

    The car has been in this barn since 1976. I found out the original owner, Donald H. Andrews was a GM Exec. I was able to also locate several people who knew him. And gave me the history on the car. One of which has the original steering wheel, that I am now purchasing from them.


    Here are the specs on the car:

    *A31* power windows, *T86* Back up lamps, *C07* Auxiliary Hardtop, *J65* Sintered Metallic Brakes, *J50* Power Brakes, *M21* 4 Speed Manual Transmission, *G81* 4.11 Positraction Rear Axle, *U69* AM-FM Radio. *K66* Transistor Ignition System made 552 (2.48%) Only about 70 on fuelie engines! not offered in 1963, made 3,686 in 1965, & 7,146 in 1966. *L84 375 HP RX* Fuel Injected Engine, Made 70 (.003%), made 2,610 in 1963 and 771 in 1965. *P48* Cast Aluminum Knock-Off Wheels, 806 factory cars. (3.63%). 1963 no factory cars, 1965, made 1,116 factory cars. **N32* Teakwood Steering Wheel *1965 Option* made 2,259 ( 9.58%). *N36* Telescopic Steering Column, *1965 Option*, made 3,917 (16.62%). *

    *GM special paint job*, Original lacquer paint with a clear coat put on at the Detroit factory, very rare. Dark blue dash special also special ordered. *491BE* Silver interior, while there is no exact total on this option. The Silver interior was and extremely rare color option in 1964. Approximate total was far less then 1% of interior colors offered in 1964. Some of these rare factory production option’s were offered with limited production runs only in 1964. *Andrews also added a *Power Antenna, *and a day/night *Rear View Mirror*, both of witch were *1965 options*. In addition I am now told that the car may have had J56 brakes, that were removed back in the 70's.
    *
    Last edited by Sam D.; October 6, 2009, 10:02 PM.
  • Ron R.
    Infrequent User
    • January 31, 2007
    • 18

    #2
    Re: Prototype Steering wheel

    Looks like a Nardi wheel same as in the Bob Wingate 67 coupe. Beautiful steering wheel.

    Comment

    • Sam D.
      Expired
      • May 31, 2006
      • 112

      #3
      Re: Prototype Steering wheel

      Ron, I looked it up, and looks like you are correct!! See the link! Thanks, Sam

      Comment

      • Bruce B.
        Extremely Frequent Poster
        • May 31, 1996
        • 2930

        #4
        Re: Prototype Steering wheel

        Sam,
        I agree with the other posts that the wheel is a Nardi.
        I have 5 GM Inland Manufacturing prototype "Teak Wheels".
        They were made on standard stainless steel cores(spoke assembly), one core being a 63 and the balance being later radial finish design.
        They are made with different types wood and configurations.
        Bruce B

        Comment

        • Sam D.
          Expired
          • May 31, 2006
          • 112

          #5
          Re: Prototype Steering wheel

          Thanks Bruce for your reply. I am told that this one has an aluminum base frame. I have not received it yet.

          Sam

          Comment

          • Mike M.
            Director Region V
            • August 31, 1994
            • 1463

            #6
            Re: Prototype Steering wheel

            Hi Sam
            Yes, it looks like the Nardi.
            Looks exactly like the wheel that I have hanging on my garage wall.
            (Except I added a "Ferrari" logo to the horn button for visual effect.
            If not standard to Ferrari back in the 50's -60's, they were certainly a supplier, as most, if not all had the Nardi wheel. Something like Momo recently)
            Local speed shops sold them with hub adapter kits to fit about any car.
            I ran this one on my '57 Bel Air for several years, back in the day.
            HaND

            Comment

            • Sam D.
              Expired
              • May 31, 2006
              • 112

              #7
              Re: Prototype Steering wheel

              So a Nardi wheel can be special made for corvettes during production, and these vets come off the assemble line with these Nardi wheels on the car, like Bob Wingate 67 coupe?

              Thanks,

              Sam
              Last edited by Sam D.; October 7, 2009, 05:48 PM.

              Comment

              • Mike M.
                Director Region V
                • August 31, 1994
                • 1463

                #8
                Re: Prototype Steering wheel

                No!
                That is way to big a stretch to make a jump to that conclusion. Especially, from only a single such example.
                My understanding of the Wingate car is that it was a typically completed RPO car that was pulled of the end of the line and then the modifications were applied (with the possible exception of the stripe).
                Frankly, I am not that familiar with the Wingate car, only what I have read from information that is sketchy at best. I hope someone with specific knowledge can jump in here, I would like to learn more.
                Also, I haven't seen any of the original pictures from '67 that show a steering wheel.???
                Nardi did produce many configurations of their wheels, in the spokes, the "Dish", depth varied with Ferrari models and some where even flat.
                Since the wood wheels were history by '67, my guess would be that one of the GM workers was sent to the local auto parts store to pick up a wheel that looked cool. ( Or far out, groovey, outasite...you get the picture.) Or, maybe R & D had a wheel they just wanted to get rid of...who knows for certain?
                HaND

                Comment

                • James G.
                  Extremely Frequent Poster
                  • May 31, 1976
                  • 1556

                  #9
                  Re: Prototype Steering wheel

                  I know Bob Wingate. I guess I will have to call him and ask if the car came with the wheel.

                  As I recall, it was on the car when he took delievery. Then again, that car was ordered by JOE PIKE who asked Bob......"What kind of Corvette do you want this year?"

                  Bob originally ordered a L-89 427/435, Wide Ratio M-20 trans with 3:55 gears, Goodyear Blue Steak racing tires, American Mag Wheels, no front bumpers, Goodwwod Green with White stripe down the roof and deck as shown, full tint glass, AM/FM, and a Nardi teak wood wheel.

                  Remember now this was 42 years ago, so my memory may be off.

                  It's time for lunch with Bob. I will report back.
                  Over 80 Corvettes of fun ! Love Rochester Fuel Injection 57-65 cars. Love CORVETTE RACE CARS
                  Co-Founder REGISTRY OF CORVETTE RACE CARS.COM

                  Comment

                  • Sam D.
                    Expired
                    • May 31, 2006
                    • 112

                    #10
                    Re: Prototype Steering wheel

                    I found this write up about the Wingate car.

                    Comment

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