Early 1963 Corvette Wheel?

[Andy Nowka]

I am trying to confirm the identify an old steering wheel. I was told it came off an early 1963 corvette. This sounds reasonable as the wheel has a circular stainless grain like most early '63 steering wheels, however the spokes are slightly different shaped than standard wheels...they flare out as they approach the outside of the wheel.

The only proof that I have that GM ever manufactured this wheel is a a picture on page 53 of Richard Newton's Corvette Restoration Guide 1963-1967. This "GM Media Archive" photo shows the exact wheel I have.

Has anyone ever seen a wheel like this?
Does anyone know if they were actually installed from the factory?
Any information about this steering wheel would be greatly appreciated.

[Gordon Peterson #4961]

Well, I'll be Darned.... '63 Owners - LOOK!

Hi Andy -

Learn something new every darned day! I have a late '63 with the radial marks on the spokes. And I have a spare "early" '63 wheel with the circular marks on the spokes. However, on both of these the arms go straight into the rim - no radius.

I do not have a copy of the restoration guide you mentioned. But I figure that the car used in the '63 Shop Manual has got to be a pretty early '63. And if you look at page 9-3, there it is, just as you've described! So I checked the Owner's Manual showing another very early car - same radiused spokes on the wheel!

I guess there are really THREE '63 steering wheels, an early with radiused arms and circular marks, a middle with straight arms and circular marks, and a late with the radial marks. Time to update the JG!?

That noise you hear is a herd of '63 owners stampeding to the garage.

Pete

[Gordon Peterson #4961]

Another Picture

Karl Ludvigsen's "CORVETTE, America's Star-Spangled Sports Car" on p. 155. Here it is on one of the early '63 "styling cars"

[G B.]

I'm jealous

You evidently have one of those GM Styling type '63 steering wheels with the stainless perimeter band showing. That's the kind of wheel I want to install on '63 Pilot Line #18.

[Andy Nowka]

Re: I'm jealous

Here's a picture of the wheel. Based on your feedback I believe this wheel is an early 1963 wheel as used in the "styling" or "pre-production" cars.

Jerry, you said you are looking for one...how many have you seen?
I don't want to sell my wheel, but will you give me an estimated value of the wheel?