[63Banshee]

After some discussion with part buyers lately, I realized this forum is lacking a comprehensive steering wheel thread. Whip out your pictures and knowledge! KJB, Tom, Fugit. I know you guys have/had '63 custom wheels, as I do... but I lack quality photos. I'm interested in the '61/'62 wheels too.

The 1 photo I have available to share right now is of a '63 Custom wheel in a 4 dr Tempest parts car of mine. Plan to change it to blue for my Sport Coupe, but am considering selling it.

[tom s]

my car is on the lift,will try and drop it tomorrow and shoot a pic.Tom

[GaryK]

Here is my 62 steering wheels.

[TempestFugit]

After 20 years of looking for a 1963 red custom wheel this is the best I could come up with, I have another one that's actually red, but it's worse than this and faded to orange.

Notice the four fine parallel grooves in the solid portion... I think they are unique to the Tempest wheel. Some of the guys who repro them use the style that's on the '61 fullsize clear steering wheel but they don't have those grooves The 61 fullsize clear steering wheel uses the same chrome horn ring and center shot-glass but is a slightly larger diameter. and does not have the four grooves. The '62-63 fullsize clear has a different horn ring but it has the four grooves like the '63 tempest.

[TempestFugit]

No cracks in this one, just a few little marks from wear & tear.

[tom s]

pic

[63Banshee]

Fugit,

Were the standard wheels, like your red one, referred to as "deluxe"?

[63Banshee]

If you don't mind me asking, Tom, what did the resto on that wheel set you back? It's hypnotizing.

[tom s]

61 big cars has the "roll of dimes" look on the solid, and a center cap like a 63 tempest.62-63s are the same,64s have a diff spoke angle than a 63.Here are pics of my 62 and 63 big cars.Tom

[TempestFugit]

Originally Posted by 63Banshee

Fugit,

Were the standard wheels, like your red one, referred to as "deluxe"?

Yes the Clear was called "Custom"

the red one pictured is a "deluxe" it has a chrome horn ring and the little chrome rings separating the sections.

and there is a simpler one without the little chrome rings, no horn ring just a center cap horn that is the "standard" wheel, it looks like the '61 62 pictures above but no horn ring.

Tom - Beautiful wheel!

[tom s]

My tempest wheel was stupid expensive as he did not have a mold.He does now.I think Dennis is about $1300 now.I got 3 wheels in one year!That was when I was working,would be hard now.Tom

[TempestFugit]

What is the size difference between the Tempest and Fullsize?

[TempestFugit]

Here's a nice original - I snapped this picture at Norwalk a few years ago (Chuck T's car)

[tom s]

will look,I think the rub is not sure if a 61 big car-63 tempest center will fit a 62-63 big car wheel?

[TempestFugit]

yeah, I dont think it fits...
The 61 big car (deluxe - no custom wheel listed for 61) horn ring & center is same P/N as '63 Tempest (custom) horn ring & center but the '62-63 have a different horn ring & center right? - the P/Ns are different

[lilabner]

61 Catalina standard wheel

[TempestFugit]

That's something like the standard on the Tempest... You don't see many Tempests with the Standard wheel.

Beautiful car lilabner

[63Banshee]

Originally Posted by TempestFugit

What is the size difference between the Tempest and Fullsize?

I'll compare my '63 FS and T4 wheels and post findings.

[KJB]

Here is my custom wheel. $1,200 at Quality Restorations a few years ago. Writing the check only hurt once. The payback comes every time I get behind the wheel.

[63Banshee]

Originally Posted by KJB

Here is my custom wheel. $1,200 at Quality Restorations a few years ago. Writing the check only hurt once. The payback comes every time I get behind the wheel.

When I'm about 15 years older this will be better than sex!

I think the price is justified for the level of craftsmanship and result. I'll be into QR for at least the cost of 1 T4 and 1 FS custom wheel and won't think twice about it. Perhaps a 2nd T4 wheel for sis's wagon...