[DeTomaso] Changing Steering Wheels

[Steve]

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