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Steering wheels.

post #1 of 16
3/29/07 at 3:42am
Thread Starter 
I don't like the thickly padded and smaller diameter steering wheels. I love the thin, oversized steering wheels made of wood or bakelite. In that vein, the fact that many car firms are fitting absurdly over-done steering wheels chock full of useless things like radio controls, and a slew of electronic devices makes it very unappealing; I believe you can even change gears via the wheel now. The art of the steering wheel must remain simple.
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post #2 of 16
3/29/07 at 4:09am
I yanked my stock steering wheel to replace with a leather Sparco one, I really like the thicker Diameter, I feel I can get a better grip on the wheel that way
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post #3 of 16
3/29/07 at 4:11am
Thread Starter 
I've always felt a thinner one was more responsive.
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post #4 of 16
3/29/07 at 4:50am
The thinner ones just feel too much like I cant grip it, mostly because my fingers are kinda long so they more than wrap around the wheel. With a chunkier wheel and my driving gloves on i get a nice grip (better if the wheel were alecanthra or how ever the hell you spell the name of that material) and it allows me to perform a death grip, if needed, without really squeezing my hand too much.
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post #5 of 16
3/29/07 at 9:51am
I agree with you on the steering wheels. I've always liked the thin grip and smooth feel of a vintage steering wheel.
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post #6 of 16
3/29/07 at 11:49am
I like two different kinds, there are the old vintage wooden ones, and there are the new Mercedes-like comfortable leather ones. The vintage ones have their place (like on a Sunday drive) while the fancy ones fit in well if you are doing something like going to work, or if you are on a long trip.

Just my 2 euros.

JB
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post #7 of 16
3/29/07 at 1:23pm
Larger ones actually look better but are not suited well for today's over-assisted power steering. A smaller (although not as elegant) wheel makes the car much more responsive and nimble.

Imo, the airbag in the center of the wheel is what really ruined a good looking steering wheel design.
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post #8 of 16
3/30/07 at 4:32am
Thread Starter 
Apparently Nardi will remake various vintage wheels from their archives. http://www.nardi-personal.com/page.p...ageid=LIV0200G
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post #9 of 16
3/30/07 at 4:49am
The 30s Packard steering wheels were made of ebonite, or hard rubber, which has a distinctive and not so pleasant odor. My father used to curse about the stench when it got on his hands. Still, there's nothing quite like the warm glow and gentle grip of hard rubber.
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post #10 of 16
3/30/07 at 4:51am
Thread Starter 
Ah yes, the hard-rubbers of the past. I'm reminded of Parker Duofolds and old Pelikan nib feeds.
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post #11 of 16
3/30/07 at 5:40am
Yes, the Duofolds are some of the most simple and elegant examples, along with the early Waterman's Ideal pens in black, orange, green and blue. Hard rubber is still used for the feeds of pens like Omas.
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post #12 of 16
3/30/07 at 8:17am
My first car (the immortal Datto 1600) had an Autotechnica wheel - it was OK. I then had a great Momo wheel that followed me through a few cars (bought it for the GTi Swift, then had it in the GTSt Skyline and also in my FTO). It was really good. Loved the way it felt. As much as I love my bikes, I miss driving so much.
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post #13 of 16
3/30/07 at 12:24pm
Steering wheels I like:





Jon.
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post #14 of 16
3/30/07 at 12:30pm
i used to alternate between two cars; a nissan sentra and a fiat spyder. the fiat a had a skinny wood (or wood-look) steering wheel and the nissan had the modern thick, rubber style. i preferred whichever one i was driving at the time, as either was a nice change of pace from the other.

however, i can't stand steering wheels with buttons on them. i'm with lk on that one.
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post #15 of 16
3/30/07 at 12:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by matadorpoeta View Post
i used to alternate between two cars; a nissan sentra and a fiat spyder. the fiat a had a skinny wood (or wood-look) steering wheel and the nissan had the modern thick, rubber style. i preferred whichever one i was driving at the time, as either was a nice change of pace from the other.

however, i can't stand steering wheels with buttons on them. i'm with lk on that one.

No Enzo for you then:



Or F1 car for that matter:



Jon.
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