advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
 

Well, the rebirth of our Dad's 32 low boy roadster continues. It is now even registered, plates and all. Let's just say that walking into the DMV with a 1955 transferable registration for a 32 Roadster leads to some interesting conversations.

That aside, the engine still needs some tuning, but is running much better. Thanks to the guys who provided input on that thread.

We now come to some of the niceties, in this case a steering wheel. The current wheel is not original. And at 17" is not real conducive to comfort in channeled roadster. My father is 5' 8" and weighed 140 back in the day. I'm 6' (got that from my mother's side) and 190 and find the wheel just tolerable. I'd like to find something that is 50's rod period correct in the 15" range. Any thoughts

Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
 

There is a '40 style steering wheel that is a reproduction, and is 15" diam. not sure who is selling them

Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
 

It all depends on your budget, but the sky is the limit. As Jim mentioned, banjo and '40 style wheels are available in the aftermarket in 15" diameter.

The hot ticket for a '50's rod is a Crestliner wheel. A good core is $800-$1,000. Then send it to a vendor like Steering Wheel Kris to get it refurbed and resized to 15", add another $1,000-$1,500, but it would be the bee's knees in terms of a '50's hot rod steering wheel.

Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
 

For sure, budget is the issue. Had we thought about a different wheel on round one of this project, aka the 1970's, there was no end of the cool wheels we could have found in the junkyards for a couple bucks. Anyway, now we're talking what can we do for a couple hundred.

Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
 

Model T wheel?
Diameter range of 14-1/2 to 17”

Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
 

Someone makes a 15" Bell four spoke that is pretty much timeless.

Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
 

the smaller the wheel the harder it is to turn

Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
 

Look at a VW banjo steering wheel on Ebay. Change the centre to your ford taste and modify the bands on the spoke to look ford , 15” and they fit a ford key way shaft .

Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
 

A 1940 Ford wheel would look great.

Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
 

Steering wheels are such an important part of the cars interior vibe...very important for it to be in theme with the entire era/build.
Let's see some pics of the car, along with its interior.

Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
 

Had an original 40 in my 30 roadster and found it was a tad large so went with an aftermarket 15" dia. Looks great and not a problem steering at all.

Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
 

Lime works might have something that would work
https://www.limeworksspeedshop.com/S...Kits-s/478.htm

Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
 

I forgot Limeworks makes a Crestliner wheel. If it was me, I'd fine a way to get one of those. Those are the tops for a '50's style hot rod in my opinion.

Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
 

Here's another thread with a pic. There is effectively no interior yet. Just a couple 65 or so Mustang buckets. Some guy never paid for the work done on it at my grandfather's garage, so we appropriated the seats temporarily, that was about 1974. Now wish I had appropriated the whole Mustang.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=321859

Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
 

It is a gorgeous wheel, but the cost is not in the budget. If I could pick up a ratty one for a few hundred it could work as the car is about half rat rod.

Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
 

I hear ya. '40 wheel would be my second choice for your car. A '48 wheel would also be an excellent choice and can be found for around $200-$300 in usable condition.

Does the car still have a tapered steering shaft? Depending on the wheel you pick, If memory serves me correctly, you may need to cut another groove in the shaft or wheel for the woodruff key location changed through the years.

Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
 

I would suggest using the VW banjo steering wheel. You can find them for less than $300 on e-Bay and it uses any Grant style adapter to fit other columns. If you are using an early column you can get the keyway adapter from Speedway. The wheel looks just like a '36 banjo wheel and is 15" in diameter. I bought one and the quality is excellent.

Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
 

A great book to use as reference for a '50's style build is Andy Southard, Jr's Hot Rods of the '50's

Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
 

Just checked e-Bay and the cheapest VW Banjo is now $312 with free shipping. Bought mine about 6 mo. ago and paid $268 with free shipping. Bidenflation.

Re: advice on a steering wheel to look correct on 50's low boy rod
 

Looks like a great book. Thanks for the suggestion. Just ordered a copy. Will be a good read as I rehab from knee surgery.
Phil