1966 or 1967 steering wheel??

Jim,
I suspect that you are making the same mistake that a lot of people do and that is believing that after a number of owners your car was somehow constructed differently then the original paperwork reflects the car as being, just because you purchased it in that condition.
I would suggest contacting the 66 Shelby Registrar and asking him if the Moto-Lita wheel was offered by the factory for the 66 Shelby model year. He is knowledgeable and has more insight into things like this then you and I do.
GT350DAVE

 

Hi folks,a few thoughts on the Moto Lita wheel..they were used on the cobras and on 65 GT 350 shelbys.They are very comfortable to drive with,and they use a different horn button.If your 66 has one,have it restored and enjoy it!! If Moto Lita is still in business,maybe they offer restoration as a service.Perhaps the 66 registrar can help you if your car was a factory ride,he may have some info or suggestions on how to figure if this is/was installed originally,even a date sometimes helps.Enjoy!

 

BTW, Cobra 16" steering wheels were NOT made by Moto-Lita but by the
Blumanthal Brothers of Birmingham, England as the vendors to AC Cars,
Thames Ditton, England. Moto-lita did not make 16" wheels until the mid
to late 80's.
shlby66

 

'65 Shelbys originally recieved the 16" Cobra steering wheel, approx. the first
120-130 cars. then the change to the 15" Moto-Lita steering wheel for the rest of the production run.

'66 Shelbys ( including the "changeover" cars ) got the Mustang simulated
wood wheel with the Fairlane horn button with a GT350 emblem installed.
The over the counter wood rimmed wheel ( looking a lot like the '67 wheel )
became available thru the Shelby Parts department.
shlby66

 

Quite a few '66 Shelby owners chose to upgrade to either the 15" Moto-Lita
steering wheel or the over the counter wood rimmed steering wheel from
Shelby Parts. I have the 16" Cobra wheel in my '66 changeover car and I
really like the looks and the steering is much smoother.
shlby66
.

 

I have 2 wood wheels for my 66. They do not have the epoxy transition pieces on the spokes.....or the slot in the back that is filled with epoxy where the steel ring fits in...or the stamped letters on them. It's my understanding the letter stamped wheels were available later on it 66 as an over the counter part.

The early wheels I have are put together by having the wood rim in 2 sections. Then routing out a slot in each half for the steel ring...then gluing each to the other. What a movie it would be to do this. Its no wonder that no one I know restores them today. Thats why you have to work with the existing wood if at all possible....fill, patch or whatever works.

The new reproduction wheel being made today is very nice. I have seen one and although its nice its not the same as the original early one and its easy to tell the difference because of a different process of mounting the wood rim. I think they are selling for $2500.

Once I get my spare one done I will probably end up selling it. Depending on how the finish comes out it should be a pretty expensive and really nice piece. It would come with the reproduction horn button as the originals are unobtanium.

 

Hi Sandy,
Most of the wheels without the epoxy and no stamping mark were the early FIV wheels. They had 2 different horn buttons. One uses the Shelby type wheel center and the other, although looks like the Shelby center, has a different shape and is not available any longer.
GT350 DAVE

 

I know this is an old post, but can anyone connect me to this link please? I own 67 GT350 #2751 and I want to refurbish my original steering wheel.

Many thanks

David