[4zpeed]

Originally Posted by dataway

Jeez what a sweet looking wheel and dash.

Yea, I'm purty jealous too...

I'm still wondering about what Grag said, was the Deluxe wheel standard?

I like it best for some reason, probably because my father had one in his 67 Tempest.

Not trying to jack your thread Greg, sry.


Frank

[Greg Reid]

NO problem Frank. I have always liked the Deluxe wheel also and never lusted after a sport wheel.
Now that I have it, I would like to get it restored and maybe change it for a '68 wheel or better yet, a '66 wheel since that's what is shown on my '66 PHS.
If I'm not mistaken, the Deluxe wheel was standard on the GTO but there was another wheel that was one step cheaper, I believe, that would have come on Tempests and others... but don't hold me to that 'fact'.

[Greg Reid]

Update to this thread. I 'refinished' the wheel to the best of my ability and found that the '68 horn button assembly actually WILL work with the '69 wheel. Nice product. Purchased from Ames but at least part of it was sourced from TPP.

[Greg Reid]

Installed. I'm kinda liking it but I liked the Deluxe wheel also. I just couldn't bring myself to paint that wheel. They are so hard to come by and it's in un-restored original condition.
Compare-

[68ragtop]

Looks Great!

Greg, did you paint the back piece black? That probably looks better than the silver that matches nothing else in your car.

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by 68ragtop

Looks Great!

Greg, did you paint the back piece black?

What 'back piece' ? If you are talking about the plastic collar, it's not black. I peeled that crappy silver paint off since it was just barely hanging on anyway. Looks black in the pic but it's chrome plated plastic.
I'm kinda liking the look, although, I don't know why Ames is selling this assembly as correct for '68. It should be satin silver, not chrome. I'm wondering if they just sent the wrong one.

[68ragtop]

Thats really the only thing the install kit is missing is a brushed stainless looking collar.
the front half & horn button is very nice.

the collar that I got from Ames is a gray plastic with a light coat of silver paint.

[Greg Reid]

Same deal on my collar but instead of grey plastic painted silver, it was chrome plated plastic painted silver. Paint doesn't stick very well to chrome plating.
I still don't know why Ames is selling a chrome button assembly as correct for '68. I'm sure they realize that it's wrong.
Overall, I'm happy with the kit though. Looks good to me.
By the way, the original '69 collar I had was also plastic but instead of paint, it had a type of metallic foil finish. I tossed it as it was crumbling from age.

[68ragtop]

Your button side is chrome? Mine looks to have chrome in the recessed nooks, but the outer surface has a brushed stainless look to it that matches the spokes pretty close. Not prefect, but not bad at al & for sure not a chrome look at all.

As far as not being the same as original, I think thats been the biggest disappointment with the restoration process. So many things that are similar, & work but not the same by any stretch. I will have a lot of "new old stock" reproduction parts for sale when I get my car done. lots of little things I bought in hopes of something better & then went back to the original parts. Ames does a pretty good job compared to others, but I think it depends on how particular you are. Every re-pop part is different. just depends on how close you look. Some are noticeable at 10' away however. But, I do wish all those attributes where listed on the descriptions.

[Mcronk]

I too have been disappointed at reproduction parts. These days I would rather have a "less than shiny" original part than an incorrect reproduction part.

On the subject of steering wheels attached is the deluxe wheel in my 68 Tempest Custom. There were 3 wheels offered in 68. The base wheel which was a plain casting with a plain center horn button. Next step up was the Deluxe wheel with the horn buttons on the spokes, then the Custom Sports (wood) wheel with an ornate center horn button.

Mark

[Greg Reid]

Yes 68ragtop, the button is chrome plated which I believe would be correct for the '66 and/or '67 wood wheel but the '68 should be satin like the spokes. I do like it though. I'm pleased with it as far as fit and finish. No complaints really.
Mcronk, did you paint that Deluxe wheel? That's the color of my original and I thought about painting my original black wheel but wondered where I'd get that odd color matched. That one looks perfect. My original turquoise one is in terrible shape.

[68ragtop]

Greg, You mentioned you bought the wheel parts from Ames, correct? I got mine several months ago, & and the horn button is brushed. Did they by chance send you the 67 parts because of the wheel? Just wanted to clarify because I ordered the 68 kit & it seems to be the same as yours except for the finishes. Also, I had to make a custom washer that centered the button on the column shaft. Mine has a 5/8" hole & moved all over the place only relying on the nut to keep it centered. The cut down washer was a pretty easy fix, but I think they should have some with something like that included with the kit.

I also had to run a tap through the three mounting holes. neither sae or metric in any size fit. So its tapped to #8-32 now. Made me wonder if thats why the kit didn't come with those three screws?

[Greg Reid]

They may have sent me the wrong part. I checked the shipping list and I did order the correct '68 part as listed in their catalog...so, I don't know what happened.
I did not have any problems at all with the screws or the size of the shaft opening. I may contact them to question the correctness of the finish, whether it was an oversight or what.

[68ragtop]

The horn switch itself was out of stock when I order my wheel, so it's possible it came from a different source & I got an oddball. I would call them, might have just been a simple oversight on the rest. That might explain the different back half as well?

[Mcronk]

Greg

Yes the wheel was painted and some cracks filled. I will get you the paint brand and mix number. I have quite a bit left over.

Mark

[Greg Reid]

Thanks Mcronk.

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by 68ragtop

The horn switch itself was out of stock when I order my wheel, so it's possible it came from a different source & I got an oddball. I would call them, might have just been a simple oversight on the rest. That might explain the different back half as well?

I used my original switch. I kind of like the chrome button and I'm not at all sure I want to send it back!...lol

[68ragtop]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

I used my original switch. I kind of like the chrome button and I'm not at all sure I want to send it back!...lol

Well, that explains why it fit so well

[Half-Inch Stud]

Greg, 68ragtop, looks like younz carried out fantastic plans on the Wheel & Center horn.

My brother's 68 LeMans has the Black Deluxe wheel, as I grew up with such, but i was able to evolve to the "wood wheel" with 69s then the 67-68 wheel. I did the wheel resto here.

As you know, a Tilt column would be the wise move with a 67-68, whereas 69+ has more room.

Horn button surround: Polished/Brush vs matt is an interesting difference. Mine is stock matte emblem holder. a nice Lucite button is the big deal huh. Once done it doesn't ever need nit-pickin tweaks. I really like that gloss ring that Greg is using.

@Mcronk, Nice interior! Wondering if "Tempest" door emblems are on the plan for later?

[Greg Reid]

Nice interior HIS. I like the speakers(?) in the AC duct spaces. Interesting idea.
I'm liking the wood wheel for a change of pace but I will likely hold on to the Deluxe wheel as I've always liked that wheel a lot and still do...plus the fact that they are nearly impossible to find in good condition.