84-85 Corvette thin hard Steering Wheel

[Ralph Harlan]

Item number: 290052074622 on ebay. Ad reads "The early C-4s used a thinner grip steering wheel..". I've never heard of this, this one looks like someone stripped the leather of a C4 wheel and painted it. Was there a wheel as described in this auction?




84-85 Corvette thin hard Steering Wheel

[Joe C.]

Re: 84-85 Corvette thin hard Steering Wheel

Ralph,

That is correct! The picture, from what I can see looks AOK, too. Later C4's have a noticeably thicker steering wheel rim. The early and late wheels are identical in every other aspect, though. The later wheel MIGHT have a slightly smaller OD, although I've never compared them. The wheel in the auction looks like leather, as it should be. Looks original, too. Ask the seller if it has scratches/worn areas, as that cannot be seen clearly enough. The leather can be re-dyed if that is necessary.

I have a 1985 (original owner) with the "thinner" wheel.

Joe

[Ralph Harlan]

Re: 84-85 Corvette thin hard Steering Wheel

Thank you, Joe, I did not think the item in the auction looked like it was leather, and that was my real question. I did email the seller to ask what condition the leather was in and his reply was "There is no leather on the 84-85 wheels but this steering wheel will fit up to 89." The wheel on my '84 is leather and in reasonable shape (and as far as I can tell it is original), but I would pick up a replacement if it was in better condition. I did think that they were all leather and was surprised to see this one did not seem to be but the seller was indicating that the early ones were not leather from the factory. This still looks like someone peeled the leather from the wheel and sprayed it black trying to pass it off to dummies like me that don't know all the nuances of the early c4.

Ralph

[Joe C.]

Re: 84-85 Corvette thin hard Steering Wheel

Ralph,

The SOB did a good job doctoring the wheel! Anyway, the 84-85 wheels are identical. They are leather wrapped, just like the thicker, later ones. I would NEVER buy anything from e-scam without talking to the seller directly, first. I would think that those wheels would be very plentiful in salvage yards. Swap meets like Carlisle should be a Bonanza for that item. Be patient, there are plenty of them out there, but you should not have to resort to e-scam to get one.
Joe

[Jim T.]

Re: 84-85 Corvette thin hard Steering Wheel

I have had my 85 since 1992 and it still has original leather wrapped steering wheel. I believe the 1986 steering wheel was different, a little smaller in overall diameter, but had thicker wrapping.