I'm very interested in what you find out, Philip, because I just purchased
an old Spitfire steering wheel that came off a '68 Mk3 that appears to have
the original, factory wrapped leather around it. The black has turned to
brown and it's a little rough, but definitely restorable, I would think.
I'm just not sure what I should use. My first inclination would be to apply
very light amounts of black shoe polish to the thing and buff the heck out
of it -- but what do I know?
Best wishes and good luck with your wheel! By the way listers, what size is
the nut that holds the steering wheel in place? I need to buy a large
socket to fit, I guess...
Jeff in San Diego
'67 RHD Spitfire, Mk3
http://www.ohms.com/spitfire/spitfire.shtml
----- Original Message -----
From: Philip Haldeman <haldeman@accessone.com>
To: <triumphs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2000 1:46 PM
Subject: Re: Steering Wheel Reconditioning
>
> Andy Mace said:
>
> >Odds are if it appears to be just molded onto the rim, it's not leather.
> >However, if it appears as if it was stitched on (like any other
> >aftermarket cover would be), I'd say it is leather. I know for a fact (at
> >least I'm pretty sure I remember) that later Mk3 Spitfires had a
> >leather-wrapped steering wheel.
>
> I'm on the Digest, so I may not be getting info as quickly as ideal. But
> several of you are still of the opinion that this TR6 steering wheel is,
in
> fact, genuine leather. Regarding Andy's comment, I do see what >appears<
> to be stitching. It's possible that it's genuine stitching (also made of
> leather) or that it's fake stitching that's been very cleverly molded into
> the vinyl. Or, to make matters even more confusing, it could be genuine
> stitching that's been sealed around the inside of the rim to match the
> black leather, and hence only >appears< to be fake! Frankly, it's very
> hard to tell.
>
> Someone out there, who's an expert, must know whether or not these
original
> TR6 wheels are, in fact, genuine leather.
>
> --Phil
>
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