Lotus wood steering wheel

Post by **Keith Halstead** » Mon 3rd Mar 2014 6:13 pm

David Baldock wrote:Hi Simon.

On the first one, if you count the number of 'finger bumps' from spoke to spoke, top half of the wheel, there are fourteen. On Keith's & mine there are twenty three.

Fascinating!

Dave B

Well spotted - that probably means it is a repro then - I saw them for sale years ago and they were a much paler wood.

Simon G · Post by **Simon G** » Mon 3rd Mar 2014 6:32 pm

Just counted my 'bumps' and there are indeed twenty three along the top part of the rim. It's interesting that so many different shades of wood were used although I guess exposure to the sun could cause the wood to alter it's appearance.

Post by **L2Man** » Mon 3rd Mar 2014 7:12 pm

Keith Halstead wrote:
Simon G wrote:......... Would there really have been two different types of woodrim fitted to LHD and RHD cars?
You need to get used to Brendan's 'sense of humour' Simon .

Keith, you worry me we are on the same wavelength.............

Post by **David Baldock** » Tue 4th Mar 2014 12:53 am

Are any of us on the same wavelength?

Dave B

Gerry · Post by **Gerry** » Tue 4th Mar 2014 3:12 am

I bought my wheel from the local Ford dealer as an accessory in about 1970 or 71 and added it to my Cortina GT.
It has 14 bumps between the top spokes and 9 beween the bottom ones. The original varnish was quite chipped and worn off. After I stripped it I just oiled it. A new coat of varnish would probably darken it up a bit.
Thanks for your interest. Gerry

Post by **Peter Meyer** » Tue 4th Mar 2014 6:57 am

Its probably not worth 600 pounds. Mine also has 23 bumps. I don't suppose we made Gerry happy. Can't please all the people all the time.......

Post by **David Baldock** » Tue 4th Mar 2014 11:23 am

It'll be tough knowing what original ones sell for on e-bay (Â£1000+?) but at least Gerry knows now, so he won't be unknowingly selling it as original.

Dave B

Post by **Steve 155C** » Tue 4th Mar 2014 5:24 pm

Gerry wrote:I bought my wheel from the local Ford dealer as an accessory in about 1970 or 71 and added it to my Cortina GT.
It has 14 bumps between the top spokes and 9 beween the bottom ones. The original varnish was quite chipped and worn off. After I stripped it I just oiled it. A new coat of varnish would probably darken it up a bit.
Thanks for your interest. Gerry

Hi Gerry - your steering wheel is probably made by a company called Springall. These where the company that did make the Lotus Cortina steering wheel , but yours was probably made for the aftersales market.

Have a look here:

http://mk1-performance-conversions.co.u ... rchive.htm

If it is a springall it will still be valuable.

We need Len Chandler (forum member "Steering Wheel") to give he's opinion.

Post by **Keith Halstead** » Tue 4th Mar 2014 8:41 pm

Steve 155C wrote:
Gerry wrote:
If it is a springall it will still be valuable.

Â£300 - Â£375 then...

Post by **Scott Simpson** » Tue 4th Mar 2014 9:30 pm

Hi All,
Before everyone tells Gerry that his woodrim is not original and he gives it away for nothing, I'd better mention that I have seen loads of Lotus
Cortina and Elan woodrims over the years and have 4 of my own.
I've seen loads of the woodrims with the deeper and fewer grooves, mostly on Elans, or from Elans. I have both types here and can assure you they are original Lotus, springal woodrims. However, I must say that I have never seen the type with less finger grooves on a Cortina, only Elans. My point being, it's not a reproduction and it's worth a fair bit of money. Don't give it away Gerry!
Scott

SteveL · Post by **SteveL** » Wed 5th Mar 2014 1:36 am

Exactly Scott
I wonder how many pm's hes had

:p

Post by **David Baldock** » Wed 5th Mar 2014 1:08 pm

Good one Scott. He should do well if he can advertise it as a genuine Elan wheel.

Dave B

Post by **Scott Simpson** » Wed 5th Mar 2014 8:23 pm

Well yes, a genuine elan woodrim, with a lotus cortina boss!
It really wouldn't look out of place on a Mk1 L/C and if I were Gerry, I'd advertise it as such. Elan guys don't pay as much as L/C guys!!
Good Luck Gerry.
Scott

Post by **L2Man** » Wed 5th Mar 2014 9:43 pm

I just checked my bumps and can only count two....

Post by **Peter Meyer** » Wed 5th Mar 2014 10:22 pm

Try counting the fingers 11 time!