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MG TD TF 1500 - TD Steering Wheel

The steering wheel on my TD is a bit long in the tooth, and some PO has painted it black (or were they available from the factory that way?). At any rate, what's my best option:

1. Buy a Moss repro.
2. Have it restored. If so, where?
3. Try to find a good original to buy.

Many thanks!
Allen
Allen Bachelder

Allen - Depends on your need for originality. I went with the Moss repro and am quite satisfied with it, but then I really don't care for how skinny the wheel is and covered it with a leather cover anyway. You can get the wheel restored. there is a place not far from us that does steering wheel restoration. The guy's name is Jim Ellis at 4143 Gunderson Rd. NE, Poulsbo, WA 98370. 360-697-1471. Just make sure you are sitting down when he gives you a quote - he is real proud of his work.
Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Dave's right. Just depends on you. I took my tired wheel and repainted the bronze parts, shined up the spokes, and covered with the Moss leather cover, as I knew I would't like that skinny slippery wheel at all. Your wheel would still be correct, as many T owners put leather covers on anyway back in the day. But, to each their own :-)

See pic below

Cheers

Larry


Larry Karpman

Allen, I had my 10 year old skinny, hard and even if it was the original color it was sooo ugly repro wheel leather covered by a company called American Stitches (think the name is different now)in Texas. I recall it was about the price of a new wheel- not cheap, but very nicely done, with padding under the leather. George


George Butz

I had a an '87 Jaguar XJ6 wheel done by American Stitches in Mesquite Texas. Took a stock, skinny, leather covered wheel and added real wood. They do superb work, but are not cheap. Below is a pic. They do have a web site, and I believe my wheel is shown on the site too.

Cheers

Larry
Larry Karpman

Oops! Forgot to attach the pic.

Larry


Larry Karpman

Since Day One of my acquaintance with TD 15470, my car has had this aftermarket wheel. I'm not fond of the looks of the OEM type wheel, probably from long exposure of this wheel sitting inches from my chest for so many years! One of the first things I did upon embarking on my restoration was to refurbish the wheel. Pic attached. Today, the slightly wide spoke holes would be considered a hazard (too easy to catch a finger in) although the rivets would be considered a safety feature, allowing the wood to 'splinter' in an accident into small enough pieces to minimize the damage to driver.

dave


Dave Braun

Hi everybody,

Thanks so much for so many responses so soon after my request. Lots of different ideas - encouraging me to follow my own instincts. ' Think I'll pass up the idea of restoring mine - sounds like a pretty expensive solution. I can do it later if I feel like it. For now I'll probably do a Moss repro or an aftermarket wheel. I'm inclined toward a repro as I like the original look and feel. I'm still pretty new to T types - maybe in another 5-10 years I'll be completely ready for a smaller aftermarket wheel.

Thanks again for all your input!

Allen
Allen Bachelder

Don't go smaller in diameter (if that is what you meant)... gets pretty hard to turn!

Here is another idea....


gblawson - TD#27667

Allen,

I bought the Moss replacement wheel and was pretty disapointed. I had a flyer from them several years ago bragging about the quality of the TD-TF wheel and how they had gone to great lengths to get the wheel just right including the marbling. The wheels nice enough but the solid color tan was disapointing, especialy considering the price. Mine hangs on the shop wall and I took the old dilapidated Mono-Lita and put some walnut on it. You could send your old rim off to Gordon and have him work his magic on it. They look beautiful.

LaVerne


LED DOWNEY

I had it on for a while but I much prefer the wood.


LED DOWNEY

... or go for the alternative 'original' - the original aftermarket Brooklands steering wheel -

http://www.vintagecarparts.co.uk/en/2752~Bluemel+Brooklands+pattern+steering+wheel-details/

David
David Wardell

Allen,

If I replace mine (It is an original wheel with a black leather cover on it) I will go for the Brooklands wheel as it was an accessory item of that era. But I do love George Butz tan leather wheel.

David.....
David Honness

David,

I agree about the Brooklands wheel and the one that George Butz shows are very attractive. I too would like a Brooklands wheel, but including the hub, we're talking about £230 ($460+ shipping). While I don't know the cost of the "American Stitches" wheel, George says it's not cheap.

The wheel that I especially like is the one Gordon Lawson shows.

Gordon, I get the impression from LaVerne that you do these wheels yourself. You've got mail!

Thanks again, all.

Allen
Allen Bachelder

I did a little more research. Moss lists a Brooklands wheel with TD hub for $320. But is that the same wheel offered by Paul Beck Vintage Supplies Ltd? BTW, their URL is http://www.vintagecarparts.co.uk/en from which you can navigate to the Brooklands wheel. I couldn't make the URL given by David Wardell work over here in the Colonies.

FWIW,
Allen
Allen Bachelder

I have a Doretti 4 spoke wooden wheel on my TF. It looks great and is nice to the touch. I refinished it in cherry to compliment the red interior. It carries a radiator-size enameled octagon MG medallion on the hub. Sorry I couldn't get the picture to download.
SEAMUS
F. HEALY

The rim I use for the TD came from an auto jumble... $10.00 for the rim and it turned out to be a 'Nardi' 1940's (their customer service didn't know they had ever produced a four spoke wheel).... it was after I finished that one that I started covering stock rims. Only do a couple a year (demand and motivation)...but do like mine!


gblawson - TD#27667

Gord (and others, of course),

Here is my Nardi wheel. Its 15 inches and is made of mohogany with an ebony in-lay and is the sane on both sides. The rim is quite a bit thinner than yours. The Nardi emblem is on the back.

I've cobbled-up a hub made from an old TD wheel with the spokes cut off; and I drilled 3 holes in it to allow me to mount a alloy plate to the rear, which in turn, is fastened with 6 brass flush screws.

Pretty hokey, but it does work.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.


Gordon A. Clark

This is what i did. http://www.gomog.com/allmorgan/steeringwheel.htm
Len Fanelli

I had to make up a hub for the Nardi... took the center of an old broken wheel and did it all on a drill press/router.


gblawson - TD#27667

I used the same method that Len used. Mine is made with oak.


Tim Mayor

Beautiful wood craftsmanship on all above- really impressive. I can touch or look at wood and it will split or splinter! George
George Butz

If you don't like steaming/bending wood... you can use an octagon....:

http://gblandco.com/oldwheel/oldwheel.html
gblawson - TD#27667

My octagon method.


LED DOWNEY

I don't own a lathe , so my tool of choice with a crude but effective guide.


LED DOWNEY

You need a lot of clamps.


LED DOWNEY

I used urethane for the finish but eventualy took the wheel off deciding that it should really be fully rounded. Mounted it up to a drill press and with some very course paper got rounded out. Used progresively lighter paper, up to 1000 grit and refinished with some auto clear coat. Knocked the gloss off with some 1500 grit paper.


LED DOWNEY

My TC wheel was in poor shape. I fitted a "Wheel Skins" purchased from Moss as a temporary measure. I'm very impressed with the fit and quality of the product, and I've decided to keep it permanently. Just an idea.
Steve Simmons

IMHO ...
The ones made by our own Gordon Lawson are the best looking I have ever seen!
(I have a perfect original ...but love the look of his...and think it will very nice with my old "period" glove box covers)
I hope to be able to "commission" one of his for my TF ...providing there is something left once the "gray men in the thin suits" come to a final agreement for my head-on!
Cheers & Best Regards,
David 55 TF1500 #7427
David Sheward

Wow - 29 responses. Thanks so much for all the ideas - way beyond anything I would have thought of at first. I've learned a lot. Thanks to everybody!

Allen
Allen Bachelder

F Healy Seamus - Please email me and send me a picture of the Doretti wheel I did not know they made one. Have never seen and would live to get one if anyone ever sees one.

In meantime I have what I think is the best blend of old frame and hub and wood wheel by the great G Lawson of these very bulletins. It is beautiful and I have serial number 0252 (first one!) The TF will be quite a car when done and this wheel will be on it. It will have factory HMV radio, Judson Supercharger, Marvel Oiler, Alfin from Grunau etc. The restoration is reported im British Marque every three months.

Keith Murphy
Keith Murphy

Have you thought of a leather glove for your wheel. They are not difficult to make (an ideal job to keep your wife amused these winter nights) or get a local leather worker to make one. I seem to recall that in the 50's and 60's such things were sold on the aftermarket so they are period. They hide those bad bits of the wheel and make driving a little easier on the hands, even farm hardened hands.
The lacing must be on the inside of the rim. Both our TD and TF have them. Sure saves a lot of cash for something which may turn out not to be top notch.
bob Marshall

These are really easy to make... go to a 'Good Will' and choose a leather jacket in the colour of your choice...seam rip off the arms and sew them end to end...trim a two inch strip and fold over the edges...have someone punch the holes and then lace it up... will cost under $20.00
gblawson - TD#27667

This thread was discussed between 03/11/2007 and 11/11/2007

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