ClassicCar

ArkieJazz

I would like to run an idea by for thought here. There is an outfit in California called Koch's Steering Wheels. They are capable and willing to do a mold and recast the '54 Hornet steering wheel. Of course, they would do any of the others too probably. It just so happens that my particular interest is in an ivory '54 Hornet steering wheel. If I have them do only mine, the mold is going to cost around $1,500 bucks and then the recasting and polishing of a "new" wheel would run another $350-$400 bucks on top of that. Ok, to get to the point, the guy at Koch's told me today that if there were as many as 6 people who would line up and say they would buy a recast '54 Hornet steering wheel, that would be enough for them to absorb the cost of the mold.......meaning the recasting would cost $350-$400 bucks. I want ivory, but once the mold is done, color really wouldn't matter. If you wanted red, green, blue, or ivory, the cost would be the same. Are there 5 or 6 guys here who will step up and speak for one of these? Remember that the '54 Hornet steering wheel also was the optional wheel on the Jet, Wasp, and Super Wasp., as well as the '55 Hornet. I'm not asking for any money. Just want to test for interest. If this sounds like something you would like to do, please shoot me an email and indicate your name, address, phone number and the color wheel you would be speaking for. My email address is arkiejazz@aol.com. I have an NOS wheel to use for the mold pattern. Remember that a nice wheel really makes an interior. Let me hear from you soon if you have an interest. Thanks,Steve

DaveFury

How does a '54 wheel compare to a '51. If it is close, I might jump on that bandwagon. Can you post a pic of your NOS '54 wheel?

Dave W.

51hornetA

I know Duncan is looking for an Ivory 54 wheel so he might jump in.

dynolou2

Dave, 54 and 51 are different, also different are the horn rings. I think that 51 thru 53 are simular but 54 stands by itself. Wasp in 54 used an older style with only a horn button no ring. Lou Cote

37 Terraplane#2 · 37 Terraplane#2 January 2008 Posts: 1,659Platinum Member

Differant/simular--- I think that there are probably lots of guys that just want a nice car to drive that the only concern is does it really look nice and WILL IT FIT and can I afford it , nothing being done that can't be changed in a few moments for the purist that wants a high dollar show car

ArkieJazz

dynolou2 wrote:

Dave, 54 and 51 are different, also different are the horn rings. I think that 51 thru 53 are simular but 54 stands by itself. Wasp in 54 used an older style with only a horn button no ring. Lou Cote

Lou, you are partially correct. 51-53 steering wheels are noticeably different than the '54. In my opinion, the 54 steering wheel should not be used on the earlier stepdowns although, yes, it would fit. The '54 Wasp came standard with a cheapie steering wheel, but the '54 Hornet steering wheel was optional for the Wasp and even the Jet.

ArkieJazz

DaveFury wrote:

How does a '54 wheel compare to a '51. If it is close, I might jump on that bandwagon. Can you post a pic of your NOS '54 wheel?

Dave W.

Here is a picture of the ivory wheel in my '54 Hornet Coupe. As you can see, it is quite different from the '51-'53 wheels. They mount the same, and will fit. However, the spokes and hornbutton are very different.

Nevada Hudson

My '54 Jetliner has that same style steering wheel, which needs to be redone.

ArkieJazz

Nevada Hudson wrote:

My '54 Jetliner has that same style steering wheel, which needs to be redone.

Yup, '54 Jet Liner took the same wheel. If you want to get in on this batch, be sure to email me with your information. arkiejazz@aol.com is my email address. Thanks, Steve

PAULARGETYPE

Just To Add A Few More People In The Mix The 54 Wheel Is The Same One Used On The 55 Hudson Also I Know A Few Guys Looking For Them

SamJ

Don't you need the correct metal core to get these cast? :cool:

ArkieJazz

SamJ wrote:

Don't you need the correct metal core to get these cast? :cool:

That's a very good question and the answer is yes. You will have to submit your old core to have something for them to cast to. If you don't have a core, I'm quite sure one can be found for you.

ArkieJazz

Still need 3 more '54 owners to say they will buy one of these recast steering wheels.

half baked

the 54 wheel has a much larger diameter at the back of the boss where it meets with the column, the pre 54 wheels taper down

SuperDave

I was going to use a 54 wheel on my 49, but as I recall, there was a problem with the turn signals? For some reason, It just wasn't feasable.

Nevada Hudson

There are several persons in Hemmings that restore your old sreering wheel. One in Northern California I have heard ,does real good work.

ArkieJazz

Nevada Hudson wrote:

There are several persons in Hemmings that restore your old sreering wheel. One in Northern California I have heard ,does real good work.

Yes, there are several "restorers" of steering wheels. All they do is fill cracks and paint and polish. Have you ever seen one of these "restored" wheels? They look "painted" and not transluscent as original. Maybe a "restored" wheel would be ok for a "driver", but certainly not for a restored car. The recast wheels look like the original plastic with color all the way through as they should.

RonS

I had a 1950 Cadillac wheel done 5 years ago at J B Donaldson in Phoenix it was recast pefectly. Nearly $500 but it was perfect ivory tenite plastic. A friend of mine just had a Kaiser recast at someone in Cal. $700.As stated above many of these shops fill and paint.But they will give a short guarantee,so, in a few years the cracks will reappear or(and)the paint will scrape off. I was a victim of that endeavor.

SamJ

Dennis Crooks has a very good reputation in the industry. He's in Poway, California (between Gritty Waffle and Escondildo). Here's his Website address:

http://www.qualityrestorations.com/

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