[DeTomaso] Changing Steering Wheels
Steve
steve at snclocks.com
Wed Jan 23 13:34:45 EST 2019
Good morning Garth. Good question that. I’ve been thinking steering wheels ever since, about a year ago, I replaced the wheel in my ’69 XKE with one that is a little smaller in diameter and a bit heavier – the change in that car was amazing – from the flexible response of a tiller on a boat (OK – one got used to it, but gads, there is a lot of flex in the originals) to a crisp response. I was concerned it wouldn’t look right – but it is fine – and changes the way the car drives. Significantly. For the better. Besides, a friend who I have guided for 30 years on his XKE gave it to me!
So, then, gave some thought to our Daytona Coupe. It came with a Mota-Lita leather-rimmed wheel. Right – what came on those cars originally – either leather, or wood, with rivets. I’ve chosen to replace the damaged leather-rimmed wheel with one of the riveted wheels that match what came originally on a Cobra. Like the Cobra, what the heck is a Coupe – a European exotic – no, or, well, likely an American hot-rod – or, not really. I think this wheel will look appropriate – given the use on the Cobra’s and on a few of the Coupes. https://www.moto-lita.co.uk/steering-wheels/ac-cobra-wood-rim-oem/
Which brings me to the Pantera. So, what is a Pantera? An American hot rod – well, perhaps. Or an Italian supercar – well, perhaps. I agree that a wheel like the one above would look totally out of place. But, a Nardi wood-rim? They fit Ferrarrits and Lampos and Maesers and the like. But, really, the interior does not really fit that style – though I’d argue it could. No, the wheel I am considering is this one - http://www.mrsteeringwheel.com/nardi-kallista-wood-leather-350mm-5055-35-3000/ It brings a touch of Italian flare without over powering the otherwise black interior. The challenge I have is the Lecarra looks like it would fit perfectly on a go-cart. OK, there are those that could argue that a point and squirt as potent as a Pantera could be considered a go-cart. It’s got the first part down pat. But, I guess I am looking for something that speaks to my interpretation of the car – a European supercar with the best possible combination of suspension, engine and looks.
And, well, I sort of know good and well that many of you will disagree – heck, I thought the back window in the sugar scoop was a great idea for keeping the engine clean and keeping folks hands out of the engine compartment – but, I haven’t heard of anyone else jumping on that band-wagon. So, well, thank god each of us gets to play with our cars as we think fit!
And, besides, Kelly says I can have it! What better logic?
Stephen
From: Garth Rodericks [mailto:garth_rodericks at yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2019 9:52 AM
To: DeTomaso Mail List <detomaso at server.detomasolist.com>; steve at snclocks.com
Subject: Changing Steering Wheels
Hi Steve,
Why would you want to put a Nardi steering wheel in your Pantera? A wood rimmed Nardi just looks out of place in a Pantera in my opinion. The LeCarra wheel you have looks period correct and perfectly suited to the Pantera's interior.
https://photos.smugmug.com/TheRestofourWorld/Autos/1973-Pantera-Detomaso-5332/i-ZTmSp7z/0/c5405c5e/M/5332%2005%2031%202015%2021-M.jpg
Just my 2-cents. Post a pic of the wheel you want to add.
Cheers!
Garth
-------------- next part --------------
Good morning Garth. Good question that. I've been thinking steering
wheels ever since, about a year ago, I replaced the wheel in my '69 XKE
with one that is a little smaller in diameter and a bit heavier - the
change in that car was amazing - from the flexible response of a tiller
on a boat (OK - one got used to it, but gads, there is a lot of flex in
the originals) to a crisp response. I was concerned it wouldn't look
right - but it is fine - and changes the way the car drives.
Significantly. For the better. Besides, a friend who I have guided
for 30 years on his XKE gave it to me!
So, then, gave some thought to our Daytona Coupe. It came with a
Mota-Lita leather-rimmed wheel. Right - what came on those cars
originally - either leather, or wood, with rivets. I've chosen to
replace the damaged leather-rimmed wheel with one of the riveted wheels
that match what came originally on a Cobra. Like the Cobra, what the
heck is a Coupe - a European exotic - no, or, well, likely an American
hot-rod - or, not really. I think this wheel will look appropriate -
given the use on the Cobra's and on a few of the Coupes.
[1]https://www.moto-lita.co.uk/steering-wheels/ac-cobra-wood-rim-oem/
Which brings me to the Pantera. So, what is a Pantera? An American
hot rod - well, perhaps. Or an Italian supercar - well, perhaps. I
agree that a wheel like the one above would look totally out of place.
But, a Nardi wood-rim? They fit Ferrarrits and Lampos and Maesers and
the like. But, really, the interior does not really fit that style -
though I'd argue it could. No, the wheel I am considering is this one
-
[2]http://www.mrsteeringwheel.com/nardi-kallista-wood-leather-350mm-505
5-35-3000/ It brings a touch of Italian flare without over powering the
otherwise black interior. The challenge I have is the Lecarra looks
like it would fit perfectly on a go-cart. OK, there are those that
could argue that a point and squirt as potent as a Pantera could be
considered a go-cart. It's got the first part down pat. But, I guess
I am looking for something that speaks to my interpretation of the car
- a European supercar with the best possible combination of suspension,
engine and looks.
And, well, I sort of know good and well that many of you will disagree
- heck, I thought the back window in the sugar scoop was a great idea
for keeping the engine clean and keeping folks hands out of the engine
compartment - but, I haven't heard of anyone else jumping on that
band-wagon. So, well, thank god each of us gets to play with our cars
as we think fit!
And, besides, Kelly says I can have it! What better logic?
Stephen
From: Garth Rodericks [mailto:garth_rodericks at yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2019 9:52 AM
To: DeTomaso Mail List <detomaso at server.detomasolist.com>;
steve at snclocks.com
Subject: Changing Steering Wheels
Hi Steve,
Why would you want to put a Nardi steering wheel in your Pantera? A
wood rimmed Nardi just looks out of place in a Pantera in my opinion.
The LeCarra wheel you have looks period correct and perfectly suited to
the Pantera's interior.
[3]https://photos.smugmug.com/TheRestofourWorld/Autos/1973-Pantera-Deto
maso-5332/i-ZTmSp7z/0/c5405c5e/M/5332%2005%2031%202015%2021-M.jpg
Just my 2-cents. Post a pic of the wheel you want to add.
Cheers!
Garth
References
1. https://www.moto-lita.co.uk/steering-wheels/ac-cobra-wood-rim-oem/
2. http://www.mrsteeringwheel.com/nardi-kallista-wood-leather-350mm-5055-35-3000/
3. https://photos.smugmug.com/TheRestofourWorld/Autos/1973-Pantera-Detomaso-5332/i-ZTmSp7z/0/c5405c5e/M/5332%2005%2031%202015%2021-M.jpg
More information about the DeTomaso
mailing list