[scott70]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

I have the LeCarra leather wheel in 2 cars, love them. Yes, they are a little thinning in diameter, but barely noticeable, and they are stronger.

You can order the 'kit' from Ames, that's what I just did for my project, looks and feels great.

I didn't notice the holes being of different size, I will have to go look again. I know the one I have in the 'bird appears to be the same size, but again, I would have to go check to be sure.

I've pushed the 'bird around in the garage by the wheel and has not bent.

The repop foam wheels I'm hearing that the foam deteriorates in a fairly short period of time. No personal experience of that, it was relayed to me via another thread.

If you order the kit, check to make sure the wheel to hub screws thread in to the hub correctly. I have heard reports that there were some that were metric, and they changed back to SAE, and some kits may have been shipped with mismatched screws.

IMO, the kit with the leather wrapped wheel is the way to go. Most looking at the car will not be able to tell, or will not really 'check' that the wheel is leather vs foam.

EDIT: The one I have in the 'bird is like 20+ years old and still looks great. For 'bird folks, they also make one with gold spokes.

.

Is there a formula kit that has a leather grip rim? I looked at the lecarra ,,,theyre good looking but if I switch Id want to go with a stock looking formula setup with the crinkle hub...I like the pontiac look. But if the repops are that weak I might just abandon the wheel swap for now.

[Shiny]

Not an endorsement nor have I used them but when looking for a Formula wheel a few years ago I saw this eBay listing for a wrapping service. Seems reasonably priced to leather-wrap an original wheel and the listing says they can provide a core and/or fatten it up if wanted:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Leather...-/192952428217

[NeighborsComplaint]

Originally Posted by scott70

Is there a formula kit that has a leather grip rim? I looked at the lecarra ,,,theyre good looking but if I switch Id want to go with a stock looking formula setup with the crinkle hub...I like the pontiac look. But if the repops are that weak I might just abandon the wheel swap for now.

Is this really so complicated? You order the LeCarra wheel from Summit and the conversion parts (repro hub, horn switch, horn adaptor, screws cap and medallion) from Ames' catalog Pg 54). Sorry, but I get a little frustrated when people can't grasp basic solutions to simple "problems".

[scott70]

So I bought the lecarra steering wheel that looks like a duplicate of the original formula wheel and the center pieces for installation . The collar is on back order. Looking at previous posts,,it looks like the repo collars sit about 1/4" from the steering column ? Some said an original collar fits better ,shrinking the gap. Mine is a non-tilt column. Should I find an original collar and repaint it ? Thanks

[HWYSTR455]

Yeah it's hit or miss on the collar, some mount closer, some not so much. I know there's a difference on the tilt ones, and you can use the original type lock plate covers to clean it up some.

Closing that gap up is not an easy task when trying to mod the hub.

Do OE ones fit closer? Again, it depends. I've seen some that are tight and some not, so I don't think it's all 'one' way or not. There may also be variances in the column, and/or shaft.

I have some originals if you want to try one.

.

[scott70]

Thanks,,, I ordered a collar through Ames but they didn't have any so it was backordered. So I ordered one through OPG and the one I got from them was damaged so I'm sending it back but also was boxed in a py box...lol. If you would could you run a straight edge across the back and then measure from the center out to the straight edge to see what you have for a measurement? Before I send this one back I'll measure this one and just see what it compares to your OEM.

[vertigto]

Originally Posted by napster

I had the same wheel installed on my 1970 GTO. It worked out quite well. I had a tilt column installed from a 1971 Monte Carlo with the formula steering wheel. I was advised by Quint Stires to paint the steering column black instead of the brown interior color.

Jim

Jim...do you still have the original steering wheel? Mine is also dark saddle interior, but one of the vinyl horn buttons is broke.

If I can't replace (or maybe 3D print?), I may have to suck it up and get a formula wheel.

Brian

[scott70]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

Yeah it's hit or miss on the collar, some mount closer, some not so much. I know there's a difference on the tilt ones, and you can use the original type lock plate covers to clean it up some.

Closing that gap up is not an easy task when trying to mod the hub.

Do OE ones fit closer? Again, it depends. I've seen some that are tight and some not, so I don't think it's all 'one' way or not. There may also be variances in the column, and/or shaft.

I have some originals if you want to try one.

.

Here's this repo one,,,the center hub is about the thickness of a piece of paper lower than the edges. I wonder how that compares to one of your originals?

[1965gp]

I have two of the reproduction wheels- one in my 70 GTO (bought from Ames) and one in my 79 TA (bought from restore a muscle car). Both lasted about four years before starting to crumble. The GTO only had about 5-600 miles on it. The TA probably had closer to 2000 miles. Both stored indoors

I am considering having them wrapped in leather- for $200 it’s probably worth it.

[Bentwheelbob]

I’ve got an original collar stashed away that I just checked and the center hub is actually higher than the outer edges by approximately 3/32”.

[scott70]

Originally Posted by Bentwheelbob

I’ve got an original collar stashed away that I just checked and the center hub is actually higher than the outer edges by approximately 3/32”.

thanks,,,Nice to know,,,obviously that would make it worse than this repo. 65 gp,,,I went with the lecarra 61401,,,looks pretty much identical to a original and is leather wrapped. Got it through Summit for 150.00,,Ames offers them but didn't have any.