Model T anti-theft steering wheel

[Steam Engine Pete]

My dad picked up a T steering column over 50 years ago that has been floating around since then. It had an aluminum steering wheel spider with a lock on it. Never had a key for it so left it alone. I thought that maybe when you unlocked it the wheel would come off so it was a fatman wheel. Had the day off so I took it to a locksmith and had 2 keys made. Turns out that when you turn the lock the right way it disengages the wheel from the shaft so you cannot steer it, it definitely does not come off for easier entry. The only explanation I have is that it is an antitheft wheel. Maybe everyone has seen one before bought I thought it was neat.

Love the local locksmith, he cut 2 keys for this and freed up the lock. He also cut 2 keys for my Model A. Was there about 1/2 an hour and he wanted 6 bucks. I gave him $20 which I thought was still cheap. Should have had a key made years ago for this wheel.

Here are a couple of pictures. I should have taken them before I took it apart, the wood was still on it this morning. I am working on refinishing it.







Looks like I forgot to reset the date when I put batteries in the camera.

Pete