steering wheel questions

[gsxdave]

Finally managed to find a padded 'leather wrapped' steering wheel with a 3 spoke hub for my (cloned) turbo capri. This wheel is very similiar to several others I've pulled, but has a much "thicker" padding; the others I've pulled have a thinner grip area and more of a plastic feel to them. My question is was this wheel exclusive to the 79 models, was it a step up from the "base" sport wheel, or what specific years was it available?

[Sellis1012]

Good questioin. I have a leather one as well I want to put in my Cobra. The plastic one in it now is a little rough. I don't know if it was an option or not for the Cobra. I know you could get it in the pace car.

[gsxdave]

Strangely enuff, I pulled this one from a base model capri...carb 2.3, console delete, am radio... seemed the only option on the car was the wheel...'tho I suppose it could have been changed at one point. The rest of the car looked unaltered and unmodified, however, just driven till it dropped. Can't find a part # on this thing anywhere, either. Incidently, it came off like it had been on for a long, long time...

[Sellis1012]

What year Capri? My Cobra has no console, an am/fm/tapedeck with only front speakers. I do have a rear windshield wiper and A/C though. If you pulled that off a 79 my Cobra very well could have come with a leather instead of pleather steering wheel. Oh, and the pleather is definitely thinner than the padded leather.

[SchoolBoy]

My 82 RS had the big leather wrapped steering wheel with three spoke, but I swapped it for the thinner 3 spoke wheel in my 79 ghia, witch is also leather wrapped. The reason being my hand is to small for the original, that and it was fairly beat up...... :roll:

[gsxdave]

It came off a 79 capri...there is a # on the inside of the hub; lite stamp but appears to be 9238...no other ID apparent. :roll:

[79mustangcobra]

Look at this 1979 brochure. Look at "L"

http://foureyedpride.com/fep_bild/album10/pg17?full=1


This brochure came out in 1/79. I have one that came out in 8/78 that shows the wheel as aluminum instead of black.

[Sellis1012]

I checked my Fox Recognition Guide and the leather wrapped wheel was an option. Depending on the package, it was either $49 or $53 or something like that.

[gsxdave]

Cool stuff...item 'L' is definitely the wheel I got...black spokes, too...'tho I have seen a mustang with an aluminum spoke wheel; just assumed the paint had been stripped. Thanx for the help, guys...at least now I know a new word..."pleather"... :D

[negusm]

http://www.ascmclarencoupe.com/Literature/ColorAndUpholsteryBooks/79_mercury_color_book_09.jpg

Here is what came on the 1979 Capris. Three spoke wheel, deluxe wheel, and leather wrapped 3 spoke wheel.

-Mike

[Sellis1012]

Cool stuff...item 'L' is definitely the wheel I got...black spokes, too...'tho I have seen a mustang with an aluminum spoke wheel; just assumed the paint had been stripped. Thanx for the help, guys...at least now I know a new word..."pleather"... :D

Glad to help your vocabulary along. The silver spoked wheels also came on the Mustang IIs. Specifically the Cobras. The steering wheel we have been talking about is actually a carrover painted black.

[Boss 429]

Oh, and the pleather is definitely thinner than the padded leather.[/quote]I have seen both wheels on cars at MCA car shows,and aways wondered about the different wheels, At this time even silver card MCA judges say both are correct. I have a original 1980 Cobra,(that was built in November 1979) It has the thicker leather wrapped wheel . Gregg M.

[Sellis1012]

Would a judge be able to look at your door tag and say "you have the incorrect steering wheel in your car" if I swapped my pleather for leather?

[Boss 429]

(Quote):Would a judge be able to look at your door tag and say "you have the incorrect steering wheel in your car" if I swapped my pleather for leather? No, they could not!! You would have to have your build sheet,(or maybe your window sticker) on display, and Judges dont ask for those items ,(yet) Gregg M.

[Sellis1012]

Well, that's good. I was not able to locate the build sheet and my doortag is unfortunately awol as well. All I have is the bucktag. It says Cobra, so I'm good there. I would like to find some way to replicate the doortag. You won't see me in the 86 anymore. I sold it last week. My Cobra is now my pride and joy, automotively anyway.

[roush235]

A bit of additional info and comments about the three spoke steering wheel. When I ordered my Mustang in Feb 1979 I had seen only the aluminum-spoked wheel on the 79's, that being the same wheel used on Mustang II's, sporty Broncos and pickups, and other models. When my car arrived in Apr 79 it had the black spoked wheel. When refreshing the interior on my car I took the wheel off, sanded out the nicks on the spokes, and repainted it. They are steel spokes, right? I've always wondered the reason for the midyear switch, cost I assume.

I consider this three spoke wheel, with the round holes in each spoke, to be one of the best looking steering wheels ever.

[Blainer]

I have this steering wheel just lying around
http://vb.foureyedpride.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=10&d=1156291843

[79mustangcobra]

I really like your Cobra! It looks really nice. Did you restore it?

If so, where did you get your seat fabric from as well as your exhaust?

I love the white with the Orange Cobra - sweet! Also the interior is very nice!

[fordracing89]

There is a guy that does the recovering for SVO wheels, I don't think I am allowed to advertise here but from the pics and his pleasantries he does an excellent job, kinda pricey but if every point counts then I guess he would be the guy to go to. I am going to be sending my SVO wheel to him for reconditioning as they were different than the others not only the center section but they were leather and not pleather. Not sure if he could do other wheels never asked but I don't think it would hurt.