1966 or 1967 steering wheel??

Re: 66 or 67??

THE CANCELLING MECHANISM IS FROM A 66.
DAVE

 

Re: 66 or 67??

Howdy to the north west! this is an often asked question and I would ask the guys that restore them.there is one currently on e-bay and it even shows the part number on the box...Check out a copy of hemmings for a contact number for Bill Herndon always advertising and really knows steering wheels,not to mention he also does really excellent work.If we were to guess..this is a 67 style wheel..maybe shelby sold it as an accessory in 66? good luck and keep us posted.

 

That is the same wheel that came on my '67.

 

1967 Gt350

 

Like I said before, the canceling mechanism indicates it is a 66 wheel. There were 2 distinct EFFPI wheels, one for 66 and one for 67 and it is more than the canceling mechanism that was different. The hub length is also longer for the 66 wheel. A quick way to tell is that on a 67 wheel the horn ring is recessed .080" and on a 66 wheel it is recessed .325". That being said, you would have to machine the flange to make a 66 wheel work on a 67.
Hope this helps

 

According to my books, the 1966 Shelby G.T. 350 had the same wheel as the 1966 Mustang with the Delux Pony Interior BUT with a different Horn Button Center. I thought that the 1967 Shelby Mustangs Wheel was not as deep as this one. Am I wrong? (or are you talking about Cobras?)
David.

 

There we go again believing what is printed in books and magazines

The plastic deluxe Mustang steering wheel was standard but the 66 GT350 could be ordered/built with a real wood wheel similar to the 67

 

We were referring an optional 66 Wood steering wheel that was available over the counter compared to an original 67 Shelby steering wheel. Both EFFPI wheels. The 66 Shelby did come with a plastic wheel like a 66 Mustang. The wheel eljimbo got is a great find and is not as deep as the stock plastic wheel. The difference is incredable as far as comfort especially if you have long arms. The optional wood wheel is definitely the way to go!

 

COOL.... I just learned something new, thanks for filling me in.
David.

 

I am looking for someone to refinish my 67 GT500 steering wheel or possibly trade it for a nice original. It has the typical wear a 67 would have.

Any ideas, refinish recomendations??

Mike

 

Mike,

Check with David Randal in Texas. His website is comfortcarconnection.com.
He does really nice work.

Eric

 

It is "rumored" that the 4 66 GT350 converts had that wheel ..

 

The first EFFPI sample wheel was imported in May of 66. The first batch of S2MS (EFFPI) production wheels hit the US in early July so there could have been a few that actually ended up on a special order car built near the end of the run. Those convertibles were certainly very special.
The S2MS wheel was actually an after thought for Shelby's accecssory parts business.
The true 66 Shelby optional wheel was a different steering wheel but with a similar hub. The wheel used a flaired spoke and the wood rim was flatter then the EFFPI. They are very rare but in the process of being reproduced by a European craftsman.

 

I guess I'm a little confused here. There has been quite a bit of talk about the plastic Mustang steering wheel and the EFPPI wheel but no mention of the Moto-Lita wood wheel. Wasn't the Moto-Lita offered as an optional wheel as well?

Moto-Lita claims to have a Shelby Mustang OEM unit:
http://www.moto-lita.com/our-products/Wheel_Details_01.aspx?WH_ID=1

Moreover, I believe that I have one (in truly terrible condition) from 6S2021 which according to SAAC had been used as Shelby Organization vehicle prior to being sold through normal channels.

Do any of you folks have any insights or thoughts on these wheels?

j

 

I think I want one

 

James,
The Moto-Lita wheel is correct for the 1965 cars only. They are not correct for the 66-67 cars, although back in the 80's, many of us put them on our cars.
That original type wheel required an external horn button like the 65 cars had. I understand that Moto-Lita will restore your original wheel.
GT350DAVE

 

GT350Dave,

I think that I'd like to disagree with you on this not being possible.

For one thing, the Moto-Lita site claims OEM status for both 65 and 66 model years, but that alone is not what makes me take this position.

I acquired 2021 in 72 as a B Production SCCA car. Initially it was used as Shelby company car driven by Jim Riddle (that from the 97 Registry). It was purchased by a woman for her boyfriend. The story I got with the car was that she caught him being unfaithful and sold the car to the first interested party - who in this case was the racer I bought it from. I have no reason to doubt this story as I got a signed 1st owner title in the woman's name (the racer never took the title to DMV)

Which brings us to the steering wheel. This is a 15" wood wheel with the elongated cobra style spoke holes. The racer had wrapped the damned thing in many, many layers of friction tape but it still had the Cobra badge in the center, and uses the 6 bolt boss. As you point out, there is no working horn button on these wheels. The vehicle had a momentary button contact switch (similar to an old starter buttton) mounted in the cigarette lighter housing with a round red enamel ring around it. Push it and the horn blew, not elegant but it met the letter of the law.

Which brings us to what I find as a case of compelling circumstantial evidence. It makes more sense that this wheel originally came with the car than it being an aftermarket add on. Additionally, the wheel has the correct Cobra center cap, but there is no Moto-Lita logo stamped on the spoke - which to me was always a sign that this was NOT an aftermarket add on.

jim