Sport steering wheels

I recall that the sport steering wheel diameters for the 1970 and older GS was larger than the 1971 and up GSs. Is this correct and what were the correct diameters for the two wheels?

Also, does anyone reproduce the wheels? I need one in brown (tan?) for my Sandlewood interior.

 

I believe 69 & 70 were 16" 'thumb' wheels and 71 and up were 15" rounded sport wheels. Someone may correct me if I'm wrong.

 

This is correct. The 15" wheels are being reproduced, but only in black unless I am missing some new ones. There are repo 16" wheels available in colors (Red, Dark Blue, Tan, simulated Walnut, simulated Teak, and of course Black) for C2 Corvettes, but they are considerably different than the GS wheel. They do not have the thumb groove or the stainless steel band around the perimeter of the rim. They have a deeper dish to the spokes, and the spokes are constructed as one piece instead of two on the GS wheel. To use these wheels on a GS, a Corvette hub would be required, or a spacer fabricated to fill the gap in the original hub caused by the one piece construction of the spokes.

Link to C2 Steering Wheel

I always thought a Walnut or Teak wheel would go well with one of the earth tone interiors in a GS.

 

They made the 16" 1969-70 wheel in Sandlewood. The only one I have ever seen is for sale by a NC member.

 

I had bought an NOS sandlewood sport steering wheel which I added to my former '71 GSX clone. Those steering wheels are quite difficult to find.

 

That's the part I don't like. Looked at one about a month ago, sold for $450.00 used.:shock:

 

>>Try Joe Orrechio again in CA. He gets in a lot of sport steering wheels and deluxe seatbelts. When I bought my NOS sandalwood wheel he had a used one for $200 - though that was a number of years ago. His email is: gmgold70@aol.com

 

Chris,
Contacted Joe last fall. Fresh out at the time.

 

Thanks, fellas. I'll contact Joe and maybe I'll get lucky. I'm picking up my 71 GS455 next Wednesday so it looks like I'll need a 15 inch wheel. Also, I've gone over the color compatibility charts for both the 70 and 71s. For 1970 the Sandlewood interior had a "Dark Sandlewood" dash and steering wheel and column. For 1971 the dash and steering wheel and column was called "Dark Beige". Does anyone know if these two colors are the same or different tones of brown?

I guess I'm in for a a lengthy search with an expensive result. ray:

 

>>I can tell you that the sandalwood sport steering wheel I had matched the color of the sandalwood dashboard.

---------- Post added at 02:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:46 PM ----------

Always difficult to tell the sandalwood color just from pics but this one is described as "tan"
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-77-BUICK-GS-GM-STEERING-WHEEL-TAN-COMFORT-GRIP-SPORT-OEM-W-HUB-NO-BUTTON-/380404956179?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5891e6fc13&vxp=mtr

 

I may have one. I'll look through and see.
Fred

 

That one looks good and I've asked the seller to measure the diameter. Does the correct wheel have those bumpy ridges on the back side of the wheel (thumb rest??).

 

>>Hi Ray. Yes, the sandalwood sport steering wheel I had did have the thumbs rests and also the stainless trim ring around the wheel.

 

Should Ray pass I'm very interested.

 

The wheel you guys posted on Ebay is not sandelwood.

 

and there is no thumb groove....

 

Here is the 16" sandelwood wheel for sale by Alan.

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2135911900036397056SEmtVC

http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?245311-Bench-seats&p=2006538&highlight=#post2006538

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2344081510036397056kzeCfl


The one on Eaby looks like a post 70 15" wheel.

 

Here are 2 I have one is what I call saddle (darker), the other is a lighter color. Let me know your interest.
Fred

 

Can we take this to PM, Fred. PM sent with thanks.