Feeling flush with my income tax refund, I ordered a Moss wooden
steering wheel for my '73 MGB. (The refund covered about half the
purchase price of $150). This is a new item and is different in that
it bolts on to the existing hub for a fairly easy install. You get
to retain the original horn push (a mixed blessing). It fits early
70's B's that had that kinda leathery wheel with the
not-quite-stainless brushed spokes that rust.
The wooden wheel is made in China. The good side is the size and feel
of the wheel. It is exactly the same diameter as the old wheel (14")
and the geometry is about the same. The wooden rim is very nicely
finished and is, if anything, a trifle fatter than the leather wheel.
This looks a bit clumsy but feels very good. One would not have to
rely on driving gloves to go long distances with such a comfortable
surface. The scallops on the back are also broad, in that I can fit
two fingers in a depression rather than one. This is not a problem.
The two downers are (1) the install was a slight hassle in that I had
to ream out one of the mounting holes to get it to fit smoothly on the
existing hub and (2) the highly-vaunted "mirror chrome finish" on
the spokes is really not very good. The base was not well-polished
before it was chromed, and it has ripples and a couple of noticeable
pits.
Is it worth $150? Probably not, since it's certainly not the quality
one is used to seeing in the more traditional wheels. But is is
comfy, easy to install and looks good from across the street.
A. B. Bonds
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