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  1. #1
    FEP Power Member Broncojunkie's Avatar
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    Default Who's still rockin the steering wheel covers?

    Back in the 80's and maybe early 90's, you could turn any car into a sports car for about $3.89. If you already had a sports car, it was just icing on the cake. For our four eyed mustangs, it was simply a match made in heaven.

    I remember this was one of the first things I did when I got a new car...well, new to me. Who could afford new vehicles back then? We were spending money on cassette tapes and Polo cologne.

    There were a lot of cheap parts-store accessories just like today. Of course, most of them are tacky. For some reason, these cheap steering wheel covers transcended that stigma. I'm not sure why. I don't really care. In fact, I still love them and I don't even care who knows it.

    So, are any of you still using them? If so, is it a leftover circa 1986, or are you still buying new ones?

    https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...012b/6010068-P
    79 Pace Car - 331, t5
    79 Pace Car- 302, 4 spd
    79 Cobra - working on 351w, t5
    82 Capri- working on 302, t5
    82gt - working on 408w, c4

  2. #2
    FEP Senior Member OX1's Avatar
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    I use them on everything, as my hands have some kind of nasty substance on them 90% of the time I'm doing maint on any of them.
    Even WM has some pretty nice leather (or leather like) one's these days.

    I've been redoing the interior on my 79 Bronco. Here is a pretty tacky one I got to match the woodgrain dash. It has the Sport steering wheel option, and the leather (if that is what it was) is still in real nice shape.

    86 Capri, 5.0, 5Spd, A9L QH/BE, 47 lb Inj PMAS 3" MAF, Single T44 Turbo, Front Mount IC, TW170,
    Stock Cam, Explr Intake/TB, 1.7 Rockers, CF dual friction clutch, 3" DP, 2.5" full Exh, 3.27, 11.932 @ 115.78
    84 LTD, 331-10:1, TW170/Exprl Intake, 47 lbs inj/80 mm LMAF, Full Duals, Quarterhorse, Vortech 7PSI, Lentech AOD, 5 lug Mk VII brakes/rear, Eibach Sway bars, Cobra HB (dads ride, but I fix it )

  3. #3
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    The one broncojunkie posted was on my car when I bought her in 07 and is still there. Removing it to see what it looks like underneath just isn't a priority.

  4. #4
    FEP Power Member richpet's Avatar
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    I got one in the Granada. Looks a lot better than the faded porno red one.

    Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
    Last edited by richpet; 07-08-2021 at 09:08 PM.
    83 5.0 GT. Quicker than it looks! 10:1 (or just over) 306, Motorsport a332 cam, 140A alt, t5 conv, 8.8 w/ 3.27's, Edel rpm, alum rad, very worked e7's, Holley SA carb, etc... SOLD IT!!!!

    Now an 1981 Granada! .040 over 302, Edel E-street heads... Currently building a 347 because, why not?

    "Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups"

  5. #5
    FEP Power Member Broncojunkie's Avatar
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    You guys have the newer fancy ones. I'm referring to the cheap one that you wrapped with a plastic stretchy lace. I tried posting a pic earlier, but was having problems.

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    Last edited by Broncojunkie; 07-09-2021 at 01:21 AM.
    79 Pace Car - 331, t5
    79 Pace Car- 302, 4 spd
    79 Cobra - working on 351w, t5
    82 Capri- working on 302, t5
    82gt - working on 408w, c4

  6. #6
    Moderator wraithracing's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Broncojunkie View Post
    You guys have the newer fancy ones. I'm referring to the cheap one that you wrapped with a plastic stretchy lace. I tried posting a pic earlier, but was having problems.

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    Name:  Black-Car-Van-Steering-Wheel-Cover-Leather-Look-_1.jpg
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    Yes, I was rocking one of those on my 1964 F100 all through high school and college. The stock steering wheel was the typical 60 plastic that was cracked and would pinch your hand from time to time.

    I was rocking one in several of my Mustangs too when they had the crappy sticky plastic steering wheels. Never understood why or how the steering wheels got so sticky and gummy, but had to put something on to prevent that or at least stop me from feeling it.
    ​Trey

    "I Don't build it hoping for your approval! I built it because it meets mine!"

    "I've spent most of my money on Mustangs, racing, and women... the rest I just wasted."

    Mustangs Past: Too many to remember!
    Current Mustangs:
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  7. #7
    FEP Power Member mcb82gt's Avatar
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    I had a leather lace up one on my 85 cougar in early 90's. Was much better than the thin sticky steering wheel.
    Mike

    Now stang-less.

    88 Cougar 5.0

  8. #8
    FEP Power Member Broncojunkie's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by mcb82gt View Post
    I had a leather lace up one on my 85 cougar in early 90's. Was much better than the thin sticky steering wheel.
    Honestly, I think that's the main reason these were invented in the first place. Not so much because of the sticky steering wheels in the 80's-90's t-birds and cougars, but because steering wheels used to be really thin. It took the car manufacturers decades to realize they needed to be thicker for better grip.

    But as for those sticky Ford steering wheels, wasn't that just a disgusting mess? My 88 t-bird was terrible, as was a buddy's 87 cougar. I remember he used to keep windex and a rag behind his seat. Every time he got in the car, he would wipe it down lol! In retrospect, a steering wheel cover would have been a good gift. Last I heard, that fella was in prison for some pretty bad stuff. I bet it was that steering wheel that made him do it.
    79 Pace Car - 331, t5
    79 Pace Car- 302, 4 spd
    79 Cobra - working on 351w, t5
    82 Capri- working on 302, t5
    82gt - working on 408w, c4

  9. #9

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    Yup, not sure who put mine on, whether original purchaser or my dad, but it's been on there for well over 30 years. Like it personally.

    Thomas

    1985 Mustang GT - Build Thread
    347 (Stock Block, Scat Crank & Rods, Probe Pistons, 11:1 CR, AFR 185's, PP Crosswind Intake, Custom-ground Comp Hyd Roller Cam, Scorpion 1.6 Roller Rockers, Holley 3310-4), T-5, 8.8 w/3.55's, MM SFC's, T/A, PHB, LCA's, Strut Tower Brace, K-Member Brace, Bilstein HD Struts/Shocks, MM/H&R Springs, SN95 5-Lug, Cobra Brakes, '04 Mach 1 Steering Rack

  10. #10
    FEP Power Member Broncojunkie's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 85MUSTANGTGT View Post
    Yup, not sure who put mine on, whether original purchaser or my dad, but it's been on there for well over 30 years. Like it personally.

    That's what I'm talking about! Back in the day, I can recall buying a used car (probably a fox) that already had one of these on it. It wasn't in the best of shape, so I removed it and replaced it with a brand new identical cover. It never crossed my mind to go without one!
    79 Pace Car - 331, t5
    79 Pace Car- 302, 4 spd
    79 Cobra - working on 351w, t5
    82 Capri- working on 302, t5
    82gt - working on 408w, c4

  11. #11
    FEP Power Member Broncojunkie's Avatar
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    By the way...love the aftermarket gauge setup! You have a thread on this? I'm mostly curious about the speedometer. How's that work?
    79 Pace Car - 331, t5
    79 Pace Car- 302, 4 spd
    79 Cobra - working on 351w, t5
    82 Capri- working on 302, t5
    82gt - working on 408w, c4

  12. #12
    FEP Super Member webestang's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by richpet View Post
    I got one in the Granada. Looks a lot better than the faded porno red one.

    Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
    I have that one in my Crown Vic and 99 Mustang.

    Scotty
    1985 Fox Notch 4-banger Ranger tube header Eastwood Royal Blue
    1988 Fox LX 5.0 AOD Vert BBK 170mph speedo Candy Apple Red
    1999 Mustang Coupe V6 Auto Chrome Yellow -Daily Driver.
    Past Pony's.....
    68 Coupe Inline-6 3-Speed-Man. Primer
    78 II Hatch 302 3-Speed-Auto Sunroof Black
    81 4-Eye Coupe 4-Banger 4-Speed-Man. White

  13. #13
    FEP Senior Member gt4494's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Broncojunkie View Post
    You guys have the newer fancy ones. I'm referring to the cheap one that you wrapped with a plastic stretchy lace. I tried posting a pic earlier, but was having problems.

    Name:  6010068_atc_ac40012b_alt2_pri_larg.jpg
Views: 148
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    Name:  Black-Car-Van-Steering-Wheel-Cover-Leather-Look-_1.jpg
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    Tried one of those in high school (70s). Dad even put one on his Chevelle. It took hours to get it the way i wanted (im a little OCD). It lasted till the knot started to get loose and I didn't have enough tie to retie since I trimmed it to perfection.

    Now I'm old and can afford a real leather wheel if I want. LOL
    "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough."
    Albert Einstein

    1984 20th Anniversary GT350
    Almost "Stock"

  14. #14
    FEP Power Member Broncojunkie's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by gt4494 View Post
    tried one of those in high school (70s). Dad even put one on his chevelle. It took hours to get it the way i wanted (im a little ocd). It lasted till the knot started to get loose and i didn't have enough tie to retie since i trimmed it to perfection.

    Now i'm old and can afford a real leather wheel if i want. Lol
    Lol! I hear you, on that one!
    Last edited by Broncojunkie; 07-10-2021 at 09:00 AM.
    79 Pace Car - 331, t5
    79 Pace Car- 302, 4 spd
    79 Cobra - working on 351w, t5
    82 Capri- working on 302, t5
    82gt - working on 408w, c4

  15. #15

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    Quote Originally Posted by Broncojunkie View Post
    By the way...love the aftermarket gauge setup! You have a thread on this? I'm mostly curious about the speedometer. How's that work?
    Thanks. There's a few pics in my build thread, I think on the first page. Made an aluminum insert to hold the gauges and screwed it to a stock instrument panel bezel. Speedo is mechanical, driven off the stock speedo cable. Seemed most of the aftermarket gauge panels required use of an electric speedo. I didn't want to pay double for one over a mechanical, so called BS and made my own. I think the aftermarket gauge panels mount the gauges flat to the dash. I made my panel lay back a bit, angling the gauges up similar to the factory gauges. I've probably got more pics in my archives if there's something specific you want to see.
    Thomas

    1985 Mustang GT - Build Thread
    347 (Stock Block, Scat Crank & Rods, Probe Pistons, 11:1 CR, AFR 185's, PP Crosswind Intake, Custom-ground Comp Hyd Roller Cam, Scorpion 1.6 Roller Rockers, Holley 3310-4), T-5, 8.8 w/3.55's, MM SFC's, T/A, PHB, LCA's, Strut Tower Brace, K-Member Brace, Bilstein HD Struts/Shocks, MM/H&R Springs, SN95 5-Lug, Cobra Brakes, '04 Mach 1 Steering Rack

  16. #16
    FEP Senior Member Greywolf's Avatar
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    I have had that lace-on style in most of my old Fords; didn't do it on the SN95 because I had the leather Cobra wheel.
    I'm looking for one for my Crown Vic right now; I've found them in black but apparently baby poop brown is no longer in vogue...

  17. #17
    FEP Power Member Broncojunkie's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Greywolf View Post
    I have had that lace-on style in most of my old Fords; didn't do it on the SN95 because I had the leather Cobra wheel.
    I'm looking for one for my Crown Vic right now; I've found them in black but apparently baby poop brown is no longer in vogue...
    Shoot. I wasn't even thinking about all the different colors they came in.
    79 Pace Car - 331, t5
    79 Pace Car- 302, 4 spd
    79 Cobra - working on 351w, t5
    82 Capri- working on 302, t5
    82gt - working on 408w, c4

  18. #18
    FEP Super Member gr79's Avatar
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    Kind of like sizing a baseball bat. Some like thin, some like thick grip. Hand size varies for men and women too. Think gloves.
    Have three black leather cover layers on 79 Mustang 3 spoke wheel.
    1-Factory thin dia leather. In nice shape, protected by cover #2. Later builds got a thicker factory leather grip.
    2-Aftermarket laced cover, solid laced inner dia same way as oe. Protected by cover #3.
    3-Aftermarket Ford Racing logo slip on. Finally overall grip is thick enough. Gets gummy in certain cold weather conditions.
    Have Grant GT foam grip wheel in the Ranger. Gets gummy same way. Cleaning ineffective.
    Last edited by gr79; 08-05-2021 at 12:05 PM.

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