[DeTomaso] Changing Steering Wheels
Mike Drew
MikeLDrew at aol.com
Wed Jan 23 14:01:16 EST 2019
Steve,
$727 for a steering wheel????
Nardi wheels use a unique bolt pattern (PCD) and its next to impossible to find a hub for them.
What you want is a Momo wheel. The Prototipo is the factory wheel De Tomaso used on the Euro GTS, GT5, GT5-S and is a classic 70s design that is perfect for the car. If you want a more modern, flashy wheel, Momo offers those too.
Pantera parts dealers offer fixed and removable hubs for Momo wheels. Personally I would not waste time with a removable hub. Other than for a morbidly obese owner who can't get in and out of the car otherwise (and there are some of those), they are pretty pointless, and can be dangerous when they fail.
I had one fail on me while driving a customized GT5 conversion in San Francisco. I came to an intersection and turned right and the car zoomed straight ahead. Fortunately I didn't hit anything. We were able to take it apart and put it back together in the middle of the intersection and then carried on.
You only need to have that happen once before you decide you don't like them!
Full disclosure--Lori's car came with one and although I bought a fixed replacement I haven't changed it out yet. Hers has worked fine for years because we never remove the wheel.
Mike
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jan 23, 2019, at 10:34, Steve <steve at snclocks.com> wrote:
>
> 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
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