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MG TD TF 1500 - Proper Position for 4 Spoke Steering Wheel

Yes it is amazing at how many questions we can come up with! - On a 4 spoke steering wheel on a TF, such as a Brooklands wheel - is the proper position for the wheel an "X" with space at top, or is it a "+"
with a spoke at top - like a cross?

Most Brooklands I have seen are "X" which seems to make sense as you can see the gauges and grip it in between the X at 3 and 9 o'clock.

However I have seen a period after market wheel ad from the 50's which shows the "+" placement and one car that has it on that way.

Keith
K E MURPHY

I put mine on an X position...just can't get used to the + position... however, TCs i have seen and older, seem to be set at the +
gblawson(gordon- TD27667)

Keith:

A few of us went up the mountain and spoke with Cecil Kimber as he appeared in a burning bush. It was decided that henceforth all TD's would have 4-spoke Jaguar Mark Nine steering wheels overlaid with leather and stitching and that they would be mounted in an 'X' pattern only.

We were also given the commandment that burled walnut dashboards were the only show of true faith.

It was also decided that anyone not following this new dictum to the letter was doomed to wander in the deserts of Triumphland for the next 40 years.

Just thought you'd like to know.

Dave


Dave Jorgensen

Back in the day when we mounted the Derringtons, and later the Moto-Lita Brooklands type wheel, we mounted them with one spoke straight up, whether they were three or four spoke wheels. This gave a reference for returning the steering to straight ahead when steering in and out of turns. NASCAR still does this and puts a turn of tape around the top rung for easy visual detection.




Dallas C Congleton

Thanks gentlemen - that really clears it up - not!
Never considered the racing elemnet - interesting.
I will have to see - when and if I get one - if my hands rest comfortabll or not. Probably a moot point, since I have Gordon Lawson's beautiful wood wheel on the car, which he has used the original wheel frame.

I'll post a picture when I go over to the upholstery shop and take it!
K E MURPHY

Dallas... that is a beautiful wheel...what's the history? Or is it a new repro?
gblawson(gordon- TD27667)

The proper position is on the end of the steering column adjacent to the driver.As regards the layout of the struts it depends.If the driver is of Scottish extraction the Cross of St Andrew is generally favoured.If of the English persuasion a Cross of St George is almost invariably chosen i.e.stut perpendicular.
MR Blencowe

.....so... 2 out of four United Kingdom countries would have the X layout....(Difficult to try and align it according to the Welsh Flag)...???

My neighbour has a flag of St. Andrews flying outside her house.....so I fly a flag of St. Patrick's and a Cross of St. George.... put all three together and we have a Union Jack...!!!!
gblawson(gordon- TD27667)

Thanks Gordon, but no real history other than it is a Moto-Lita that I bought new years ago, and didn't use then. I did a polish on the aluminum, and re-varnished the wood a couple of years ago and installed in the TD after I had done the judging thing.

Dallas


Dallas C Congleton

MR Blencowe,
Sir you make me proud of my Welsh hertiage ...what a great answer!
David Sheward

Its gorgeous Dallas....
gblawson(gordon- TD27667)

Thanks again Gordon. I redid an original wheel with solid walnut, but after seeing your creations, I shelved it ;^)
I also have always found the original wheel a little large, even though it provided steering leverage. The Moto-Lita is one inch smaller in diameter.




Dallas C Congleton

Its funny... I had the Nardi wheel on for a year or so and it is about an inch smaller then the original, but when i switched to the Brooklands which is 1/2" larger, i just loved the steering....made it really easy...


gblawson(gordon- TD27667)

This thread was discussed between 12/06/2010 and 13/06/2010

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