Author Topic: 1965 GT 350 steering wheels  (Read 5860 times)

paul

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1965 GT 350 steering wheels
« on: September 06, 2020, 05:24:28 PM »
I know there were many  running changes made in the 65 model production and this group of questions applies to only the 15 inch wheel with slotted spokes:

1) did some original steering wheels have aluminum showing around the outside of the wheel(profile view) as opposed to the wood being wrapped around the rim?

2) did all 15” steering wheels come with chrome over steel attaching hubs?

3) do original steering wheels have any company logo or other identifying numbers/letters in the aluminum?

Thank you, Paul.

gbart14

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Re: 1965 GT 350 steering wheels
« Reply #1 on: November 18, 2020, 11:32:54 AM »
Paul, what car number to you have and do you know for sure it had a slotted wheel or a 3 hole wheel?

My understanding is that there was no maker's mark or logo on any of the original wheels. We are in the process of getting some 3 hole wheels made and they will not have any logo on them.
SAAC Northwest President, current - 5S243 plus 65 Mustang coupe track car plus 2016 GT350, past 6S286

gt350hr

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Re: 1965 GT 350 steering wheels
« Reply #2 on: November 18, 2020, 11:47:39 AM »
     1 NOT on my slotted wheel and several others I've seen including the ONE owner #272 . Only "some " round hole wheels have the aluminum showing on the outside.
     2 Many ( same as above info) did , "I" can't say all. Those that are chrome plated are also "die cast" and have the S1MS number on them
    3 None that "I" have seen



   Edited thanks to Chris NOS!
« Last Edit: November 20, 2020, 12:06:28 PM by gt350hr »
Celebrating 46 years of drag racing 6S477 and no end in sight.

chris NOS

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Re: 1965 GT 350 steering wheels
« Reply #3 on: November 18, 2020, 11:56:47 AM »
Hi Paul , i m sure you expect answer from more experimented member but :

1) 15 inchs slotted i have seen No aluminium on side .
2 ) all on chrome steel hubs
3) nothing writen on it.

if i remember good for the same conversation on old forum...

paul

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Re: 1965 GT 350 steering wheels
« Reply #4 on: November 18, 2020, 05:04:40 PM »
gbart14, my car #213 should have the 15” wheel with holes in the spokes. I’m trying to identify a wheel(15” slotted spoke version) that I’ve owned for some time. It doesn’t show aluminum around the wood rim profile view, (I’m no expert but all the 15” wheel cars I have been familiar with didn’t), has an aluminum hub, and has no logo on front or back. Thank you to all who responded, Paul.

DRGT350

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Re: 1965 GT 350 steering wheels
« Reply #5 on: November 18, 2020, 05:28:39 PM »
Paul -

Here are a couple of pictures of my freshly restored wheel - I believe it is an original 65 wheel.  No aluminum on the outside diameter of the wheel shows.

Dave

mygt350

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Re: 1965 GT 350 steering wheels
« Reply #6 on: November 18, 2020, 06:05:55 PM »
5S228 has the original wheel and has rivets as well as alum showing on outer edge.
Continuous caretaker of 5S228 since May 1967

Bob Gaines

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Re: 1965 GT 350 steering wheels
« Reply #7 on: November 18, 2020, 06:13:47 PM »
5S228 has the original wheel and has rivets as well as alum showing on outer edge.
Since you didn't say your description could be typical or out of the ordinary depending on which wheel. Is yours slotted or the one with holes? if slotted you may want to post a picture.
Bob Gaines,Shelby Enthusiast, Shelby Collector , Shelby Concours judge SAAC,MCA,Mid America Shelby

mygt350

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Re: 1965 GT 350 steering wheels
« Reply #8 on: November 18, 2020, 07:27:57 PM »
Sorry, it has the holes.
Continuous caretaker of 5S228 since May 1967

paul

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Re: 1965 GT 350 steering wheels
« Reply #9 on: November 19, 2020, 11:03:44 AM »
That’s a beautifully restored wheel DRGT350, thanks for posting pictures. The one I still have now is like yours except (lack of better terminology)yours has what looks like “gun stock” wood with oil rubbed into it and mine looks like cabinet wood with varnish on it. I have had both types of wood  on different wheels(gun stock vs cabinet) in the past and much prefer the looks of the “gun stock”.

Did Mr Stevens restore your?

Thank you to all who have posted on this thread, Paul.

gbart14

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Re: 1965 GT 350 steering wheels
« Reply #10 on: November 19, 2020, 11:46:37 AM »
Guys, all of the original 3 hole wheels that I have seen both on and off cars have had the aluminum showing on the outside. They also had a varnish finish although many were warn through. The ones I have seen did not look "oiled" but varnished.

Question, does anyone know what the original wood was that was used on any of the wheels. Further, I have seen some original 3 hole wheels that were specifically laminated, not a single piece of wood. See the photo from Steve Becks' 258 original wheel. I am curious about the wood as we get closer to getting a reproduction made to our exacting detail. Thanks
SAAC Northwest President, current - 5S243 plus 65 Mustang coupe track car plus 2016 GT350, past 6S286

DRGT350

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Re: 1965 GT 350 steering wheels
« Reply #11 on: November 19, 2020, 12:46:37 PM »
hello Paul -

Yes - Jeff Stephens restored the steering wheel that I posted pictures of -

Dave

paul

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Re: 1965 GT 350 steering wheels
« Reply #12 on: November 19, 2020, 11:43:17 PM »
To DRGT350:
  I thought so, Mr. Stevens does excellent work. He restored one for me years ago.

To gbart14:
   I would think the first sentence of my initial post starting this particular thread identified the subject of discussion as only pertaining to the 15” steering wheel with slotted spokes. If I didn’t work in the aviation industry, I’d call you a hijacker.

Thank you to all who have posted, Paul.

gbart14

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Re: 1965 GT 350 steering wheels
« Reply #13 on: November 20, 2020, 01:29:26 AM »
Since my understanding is that all the original wheels were made by the same manufacturer (Moto-Lita) I thought you all would be interested in seeing what the 3 holes looked like and further because I was told the only difference was the slots vs the spokes. Someone may have more information.
SAAC Northwest President, current - 5S243 plus 65 Mustang coupe track car plus 2016 GT350, past 6S286

chris NOS

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Re: 1965 GT 350 steering wheels
« Reply #14 on: November 20, 2020, 08:13:50 AM »
What has to be clear is for 15 Inch slotted original steering wheel there is NO aluminium visible on the side , we know how fast a wrong info can be relayed  on internet.