There were definitely rubber grips on at least some late model US
TR6s. I have two TR6 steering wheels, a 74 and a 76, both from US
models and they both have/had injection moulded rubber grips. The 74
is still on my car and very obviously rubber from the pieces that
have been chipped away. The 76 was gift from a list member and I cut
the badly deteriorated rubber grip from it myself. It has since been
remoulded and leather trimmed (but not yet fitted to the car).
There may have been leather trimmed wheels fitted to some cars, but
there were definitely rubber ones as well. Perhaps someone can tell
us when and why the change occurred.
Trevor Jordan
74 TR6 CF29281U
At 8:54 PM -0800 14/2/00, Philip Haldeman wrote:
>Jim Davis says:
>
>> Triumph changed the TR6 steering wheel spokes from a matte black finish
>> to a brushed metal finish sometime in 1969. 1972 models would not be
>> "correct"
>> with black spokes. The early '69 cars probably had leather covered rims,
>> but none of the silver spoked wheels I've seen have leather rims.
>> If anyone can confirm that they have an authentic, factory supplied,
>> leather rimed, silver spoked, US spec. TR6 steering wheel, I would very
>> much like a photo of this wheel. Just so we can put this one to bed.
>> Jim Davis
>> Fortson, GA
>
>Jim, I researched the steering wheel shortly after I bought the car ('72
>TR6). Aside from the leather question, American TR6's from 1970 to 1972 (CC
>series cars) had a 15" steering wheel with slotted *black* spokes. RHD cars
>had silver spokes. A number of changes were introduced in the 1973 model,
>including a 14.5" steering wheel with silver spokes. But you don't have to
>take my word for it. Here's Bill Piggot in _Original Triumph TR4/4A/5/6_,
>pg. 98:
>
>"Upon introduction, the TR6 had a black, 15" steering wheel with non-padded
>spokes, each spoke having holes of increasing diameter towards the centre,
>while the padded hub contained six visible bolts around its perimeter. The
>Triumph shield was retained. This type of wheel was short-lived, as cars
>from the 1970 model year (CP-50001 onwards) had a wheel with a silver
>anodized finish and spokes with slots, not holes. US SPECIFICATION 1970
>MODEL YEAR CARS FROM CC 50001 ALSO HAD A SLOTTED WHEEL, BUT IT HAD A BLACK
>ANODISED FINISH INSTEAD OF SILVER. The arrival of the CR series [CF series
>in the US] TR6s at the end of 1972 brought a new 14.5" steering wheel with
>slightly thicker rim padding, central boss padding with fake stitching
>instead of the previoius smooth finish, and white 'Triumph' lettering on the
>horn push." [end quote]
>
>In other words, for US models from '70-'72, a 15" wheel with black spokes
>and a "shield" horn push, and from '73 onward, a 14.5" wheel with silver
>spokes and 'Triumph' lettering on the horn push. This is the correct
>documentation. And of course, my car has the black anodized spokes, being a
>completely original '72 U.S. example.
>
>As to the leather rim, that has been comfirmed by others on the list and by
>a specialist in auto-uphosltery in my local area. It is also documented in
>_Triumph TR6_ by William Kimberley, pg. 143 as a "leather rim". This goes
>for all model years. The wheel is also described by other sources as having
>a leather rim. The Pres. of my local Triumph club has a later model wheel
>with the silver spokes and a leather rim. I'm not sure why you believe the
>rim isn't leather (unless you expect it to be brown leather)---but I have to
>say I was uncertain at first also. It's because it isn't particularly
>obvious, as it might be with a custom leather add-on. As was pointed out on
>the list, the stitching tends to become melded into the seam over time. I
>(and the auto-upholsterer) confirmed with a needle that the stitches are
>real. Also, the black leather is wrapped tightly over a foam core that
>gives it a rubber-like feel when you squeeze the rim. The leather itself is
>smooth and has little texture.
>
>Phil Haldeman
>haldeman@accessone.com
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