Teak wheel original or not?

[John R.]

I am trying to determine if the teak wheels I have are originals or reproductions. First wheel is not varnished and in a natural finish with a medium darkness. The second wheel is varnished and has been in my possession for about 22 years. The second wheel is much lighter in color and has a black stripe painted around the circumference portion of the wheel. The first wheel does not have the black stripe. Besides the color and finish differences I noticed that the second wheel has more pronounced or sharper finger grooves on the back side of the wheel where your fingers mold into the wheel while holding it. The first wheels finger grooves are noticably less pronounced or sharp. The distance between each groove on the first wheel tends to be narrower than the second wheel. Your comments would be much appreciated.

Thanks, John

[Douglas G.]

Re: Teak wheel original or not?

I make repro wheels as well as repair and refinish original ones.My name is Doug Graves (a.k.a. Teakmaster).It is difficult to give enough verbal info.to determine originality.The one with a painted black stripe.Are you sure it is paint and not Rosewood as it should be and it should also have a similar Rosewood band on the inside.If the other one does not have the Rosewood bands ,it is definitely not an original.Both wheels should have 9 Teak segments front and back as well. My suggestion would be to take the wheels to a Corvette gathering and compare them to a wheel that the owner knows is an original.Hope that helps.