Opinions on steering wheel for '65 Chevy???

[wlevick]

I want to change the steering wheel on my Hugger Orange '65 Chevy fleetside/shortbed. It has a chrome Ididit tilt wheel, chrome Dolfin instrument cluster, Hugger Orange dash, black carpet and black leather factory bench seat. I am considering the following. (1) 56 - 62 factory Corvette wheel , (2) 67 - 69 Comfort Grip chevrolet wheel , (3) Grant wood wheel with rivets around it (I forget the model #) , (4) 58 - 61 factory Impala wheel. What do you think? Also, I am only 5' 6".

[jonathan-m]

Impala wheels are never a bad choice....

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by jonathan-m

Impala wheels are never a bad choice....

I totally agree....but...what does your truck look like? If it's stock/resto look those wheel fit right in. It sounds like it's more custom a more contemporary style wheel might look better. What wheels do you have on it? Is there a billet wheel that will match?

[markeb01]

I don't think you'll be happy with the early Corvette wheel, since they have a flat dish. I had a 15" flat Covico wheel in my truck for a while (very similar to the Corvette) and I just didn't think it looked right:



The flat shape moves the wheel closer to the dash and your legs. I agree on the Impala wheel, one of the best designs ever produced. If you choose that design I'd recommend going with an original wheel, or an exact reproduction:

http://www.classicchevy.com/product....l-_-53-366-_-X

The smaller reproductions are poor quality.

http://www.classicchevy.com/product....3&dept_id=1714

I bought one of the new small size models and was very disappointed with it. The arms were so poorly molded the horn mechanism couldn't clear the interferences without extensive grinding, triming and sanding. Also they eliminated the beautiful cross section of the original rim. The smaller wheel has a different shape, and the stock paint dividers won't fit.

If you're looking for a stock type wheel, some the later designs are also very attractive. http://www.impalas.com/_search.php?p...steering+wheel

Whatever you pick really needs to be something you're crazy about since you'll be touching and looking at it every time you're driving.

[joedoh]

I have had a few billet wheels, billet specialties, colorado customs, and a B.A.D wheel, all half wraps. In the winter the back half of the rim is too freaking cold and in the summer you learn to drive with your palms. Lecarra wraps leather all the way around though, they make some great looking wheels too that cost half what a half wrap wheel would.

Grant wheels are junk, especially the wood ones. Same with APC. I dont really like the rubber accordian boot adapters though so that may just be me. Momo uses the same adapter style and I like their wheels a lot better

I have an original 1991 benetton F1 Fittipaldi steering wheel (the multi colored one, with red blue green and yellow parts) with a chevy adapter, a Lecarra dual slot 4 spoke with chevy adapter and an ebay special 3 spoke half wrap billet wheel, and I cant decide between the lecarra and the benetton for my slopoke 62.

[wlevick]

I am not much of a billet wheel guy.

[wlevick]

Add pix.

[markeb01]

I had a Lecarra wheel for several years in a couple of cars. The one in my truck had a great feel when driving the truck, but didn't fit the image I was after. They are very light and sturdy, but do require regular polishing to stay nice looking.



I'm not a fan of the riveted wood Grant wheels either. Had one in a Firebird years ago, and I kept pinching my fingers in the joints between the wood. It was very poorly fitted, and I had purchased it brand new.

[lakeroadster]

I took the liberty of lightening up wlevick's interior photo...

[chevytrucknut]

I think a stock deluxe wheel would look right at home in your truck.

[LEEVON]

Originally Posted by chevytrucknut

I think a stock deluxe wheel would look right at home in your truck.

x2, nothing looks better than a stock steering wheel in my opinion.

[cl08]

Does anybody have pics of a red deluxe steering wheel?

[LILRED66]

My choices...

[lakeroadster]

Originally Posted by wlevick

I want to change the steering wheel on my Hugger Orange '65 Chevy fleetside/shortbed. It has a chrome Ididit tilt wheel, chrome Dolfin instrument cluster, Hugger Orange dash, black carpet and black leather factory bench seat. I am considering the following. (1) 56 - 62 factory Corvette wheel , (2) 67 - 69 Comfort Grip chevrolet wheel , (3) Grant wood wheel with rivets around it (I forget the model #) , (4) 58 - 61 factory Impala wheel. What do you think? Also, I am only 5' 6".

Since you have the chrome column I don't think (2) 67 - 69 Comfort Grip Chevrolet wheel or (4) 58 - 61 factory Impala wheel will look correct.

I am thinking because of the chrome column the wheel you choose needs to have chrome or aluminum spokes and a chrome adapter.

And because you have round guages set into your custom dash panel perhaps a 3 spoke wheel with chrome or aluminum spokes and round holes in them would look best. Which takes us to you number one choice 56 - 62 factory Corvette wheel.

Mark presents first hand knowledge though:

Originally Posted by markeb01

The flat shape moves the wheel closer to the dash and your legs.

Grant makes a wheel that is simlar to the Corvette, they call this their Classic Nostalgia Wheel. It is a 15" with a 4-1/8" dish. This just might be the ticket. Good dish to put the wheel where you need it and round holes in the spokes. It is also $100 compared to $400 for the flat vette wheel.

I hope this helps,

First picture is the Grant Wheel http://grantproducts.com/ $127.70
Second is a new 15" Eckler 58-62 vette http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...dept%5Fid=1605 $419.99

[halfcockedcustoms]

Originally Posted by lakeroadster

Since you have the chrome column I don't think (2) 67 - 69 Comfort Grip Chevrolet wheel or (4) 58 - 61 factory Impala wheel will look correct.

I am thinking because of the chrome column the wheel you choose needs to have chrome or aluminum spokes and a chrome adapter.

And because you have round guages set into your custom dash panel perhaps a 3 spoke wheel with chrome or aluminum spokes and round holes in them would look best. Which takes us to you number one choice 56 - 62 factory Corvette wheel.

Mark presents first hand knowledge though:



Grant makes a wheel that is simlar to the Corvette, they call this their Classic Nostalgia Wheel. It is a 15" with a 4-1/8" dish. This just might be the ticket. Good dish to put the wheel where you need it and round holes in the spokes. It is also $100 compared to $400 for the flat vette wheel.

I hope this helps,

First picture is the Grant Wheel http://grantproducts.com/ $127.70
Second is a new 15" Eckler 58-62 vette http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...dept%5Fid=1605 $419.99

you can also look on ebay for this grant style wheel,,there is alot of them on there,,new and used,,even if you just buy a cheap one to see if you like the look of it installed

[wlevick]

Tony,
What wheel is that? What do they cost?
Chip

[halfcockedcustoms]

not mine http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1960-...Q5fAccessories

[markeb01]

One other consideration - it appears you have a later model tilt column in the truck. These generally have a larger diameter hub than the original column and wheel. If you mount an original wheel (particularly the stock truck wheel), the hub of the wheel may have a smaller diameter, allowing you to look down into the column around the edges. Most of the steering wheel adapters are for the 69-80 something GM column, and provide the proper fit for an aftermarket wheel.

There is an adapter kit available to allow the stock 55-68 wheel to fit on the later column, but this may only work on an Ididit column. It is shown at the bottom of the following link -

http://www.ididitinc.com/accessory_p...tm#5568StockGM

The Ididit columns have the internal mechanisms mounted deep in the column. My column is from Butch's Rod Shop. It and some other stock columns have the internal parts almost flush with the top of the column, and the adapter provides a collision fit and doesn't work (I'm one of the disappointed guys that spent hundreds of dollars to find this out).

Just a couple more things to think about before investing a lot of money.

[Sicboy]

Always been a big fan of the '59 Impala wheel.



When the time comes to paint my interior (white with silver accents), I plan on gettin one, and paint it like the one below...only sliver metal flake/white instead of blue/white. BTW, that's a '59 impala dash in a '64 C10...purdy sick,eh?






In the mean time, here's what I just added to my '66...

[cl08]

Originally Posted by Sicboy

Always been a big fan of the '59 Impala wheel.



When the time comes to paint my interior (white with silver accents), I plan on gettin one, and paint it like the one below...only sliver metal flake/white instead of blue/white. BTW, that's a '59 impala dash in a '64 C10...purdy sick,eh?

THANK YOU FOR THAT POST!!!!!!! I am sold 59 impee for mine.

[wlevick]

Well...I went to the Moultrie Swap Meet this weekend and finally bought a steering wheel for my truck. I love it! It is for a '66 Chevelle SS.

[DPowers]

Sharp

[lakeroadster]

Very Nice!

[markeb01]

Good for you. Looks nice in there. I always liked the rims with the finger grooves on the back.

[protrash64]

Cool choice My favorite year of Chevelle, too. It looks great in there.