C2-Teakwood steering wheel option or standard equipment?

[brumbach]

My 65 vette does not have a teakwood steering wheel. The previous owner wrapped the existing wheel with leather to match the interior of the car. Looks okay but think I'd rather feel the bare steering wheel when I drive. Peeking under the leather, it looks like to be a brown, imitation wood plastic. Anyway, many vettes have the teakwood wheel. Somewhere in my readings, I've noted that reference to the teakwood as a "preferred option". Does this mean that they were not originally standard? If not, what was the standard steering wheel? Please describe. Thanks

[BarryK]

the teakwood steering wheel was an option.
RPO N32 - Teakwood steering wheel ($48.45)

[youwish2bme]

The original wheel was an imitation plastic wheel and the option was the teak wheel. Most left the factory with the plastic wheel but now adays most people are buying repo teak wheels and putting them on their car. Me included in that bunch, I had a plastic wheel on my car to start and now have a teak. Original plastic wheels go from 200-350 and Teak wheels sell for an original for about a grand. Eric Freeman makes new Teak wheels that will pass for originals everytime. He gets 550 or so a wheel, just depends on when you catch him as to what he charges. You may be able to get one for less if you haggle with him.. If you want a plastic original I have the one I took off my car for 275.... Dave...

[brumbach]

Originally Posted by BarryK

the teakwood steering wheel was an option.
RPO N32 - Teakwood steering wheel ($48.45)

Do you know what the standard wheel looked like?

[BarryK]

sorry, i looked a round a few places but coudn't find a pic of one for you. if you can tell that yours is a plastic wheel than it's most likely the original standard non-teak wheel.
The real teak wheels whether they are originals or nice repros are pretty easy to differenciate between the plastic wheels.

I do have a teak wheel on my '65 but really don't know if it's an original teak wheel or a repro a previous owner put on.

[Ron Miller]

Originally Posted by brumbach

Do you know what the standard wheel looked like?

Enter "196* steering wheel" in the search field on E-bay, you'll see lots of plastic wheels for sale. Also, you'll find some teak aftermarket wheels for sale, almost all have pictures. The plastic wheel is imitation walnut woodgrain, while the teak wheel is (naturallly) made of teak wood.

By the way, the 1963 models had an interior colored plastic wheel as the standard wheel, the woodgrain plastic wheel was an option. I also believe that only the 1965 and 1966 cars had the teak wheel as an option.

[sagnoff]

I'd like to swap my mint original for a teak wheel. Can you give me Eric's contact information? Also, should I bother to sell my original wheel, or save it for NCRS judging some day/

[youwish2bme]

Here are two pics with the different steering wheels in my vette...

Eric Freeman's contact information

9016 Dren Thompson Rd
Charlotte,NC 28213

(704) 510 2250

DRVETTEJR@AOL.COM

Originally Posted by sagnoff

I'd like to swap my mint original for a teak wheel. Can you give me Eric's contact information? Also, should I bother to sell my original wheel, or save it for NCRS judging some day/

since you seem to have a 67, best save that non-teak wheel for judging, since none such (teak / N32) available in 67 . . . . 65 / 66 ONLY

as for Eric's wheels, I am getting one myself, I lust after that look, I think it flat out BELONGS in my Milano Maroon ext / Black int 65 . . . you can always try for one of his wheels on ebay, "Harleyjim" is selling one every week or so . . ..

[Tom Bryant]

My old '65 convert had the teak wheel. It had a nice patina after 7 years of use (1972). The guy I sold the car to refinished it and it looked so nice I wanted the car back. I can't imagine having another '65-'66 without one.

Tom

[JohnZ]

I love the "feel" of the teak wheel too - I have one of Eric's on my '67, and the original simulated walnut plastic one for judging; the teak wheel went back on the day after the car Top-Flighted.