996 3 spoke steering wheel on 928 GTS - Picture
03-22-2007, 09:53 AM
#17
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Thread Starter
A few answers, etc.
There are reflections on the top of the steering wheel. It is new, so there are no chips. There is a velour cover on the top of the pod to keep it from getting more UV exposure (no cracks, but the car was in Houston for 12 years, so probably has had a bit of UV exposure already).
The car had all the original wood as an option when purchased new. MSRP for all the wood in the car now would total nearly $7K!!! This wood was originally "light" rootwood, but I prefer the darker reddish color, so stripped off all the original finish, treated the raw wood (veneer) with a bit of cherry stain, then refinished with many coats of polyurethane (Spar poly on last 6-8 coats to inhibit fading). The analog clock on the cars with wood were round, not the rectangular ones in those with vinyl/leather console shift surrounds.
I bought the wheel, the clock spring, and the airbag on eBay over the fall/winter. The wheel was not originally black, but a dark blue. I've refinished lots of leather with the various 928's I've owned, so used some of my experience and ColorPlus black leather dye to treat the leather on the wheel. Matches the airbag perfectly.
The plugs for the airbag on the OE wheel and this 996 wheel are identical. I just plugged the connectors from the clock spring into the 996 airbag, and the 928 connector. I don't plan to "test" the airbag as long as I own the car, but there is no reason it shouldn't be functional. Only a hard impact will really test it!!. Anyway, I ALWAYS wear my seat belt, so I'm not a big fan of airbags anyway. One of my early career jobs involved restraint systems in the '70's, when our big brother government thought airbags were the solution to automobile deaths. I agree that side airbags could be helpful, but far prefer the restraint of the 3 pt belt to the "explosive pillow" in the wheel.
Lastly - Rixter and Jim C - I am planning to come to SITM. Returning from a couple of weeks vacation in the Scottish Isles the day before, so I may not stay up too late on Friday night!!!
Cheers, and thanks for your interest.
Gary Knox
There are reflections on the top of the steering wheel. It is new, so there are no chips. There is a velour cover on the top of the pod to keep it from getting more UV exposure (no cracks, but the car was in Houston for 12 years, so probably has had a bit of UV exposure already).
The car had all the original wood as an option when purchased new. MSRP for all the wood in the car now would total nearly $7K!!! This wood was originally "light" rootwood, but I prefer the darker reddish color, so stripped off all the original finish, treated the raw wood (veneer) with a bit of cherry stain, then refinished with many coats of polyurethane (Spar poly on last 6-8 coats to inhibit fading). The analog clock on the cars with wood were round, not the rectangular ones in those with vinyl/leather console shift surrounds.
I bought the wheel, the clock spring, and the airbag on eBay over the fall/winter. The wheel was not originally black, but a dark blue. I've refinished lots of leather with the various 928's I've owned, so used some of my experience and ColorPlus black leather dye to treat the leather on the wheel. Matches the airbag perfectly.
The plugs for the airbag on the OE wheel and this 996 wheel are identical. I just plugged the connectors from the clock spring into the 996 airbag, and the 928 connector. I don't plan to "test" the airbag as long as I own the car, but there is no reason it shouldn't be functional. Only a hard impact will really test it!!. Anyway, I ALWAYS wear my seat belt, so I'm not a big fan of airbags anyway. One of my early career jobs involved restraint systems in the '70's, when our big brother government thought airbags were the solution to automobile deaths. I agree that side airbags could be helpful, but far prefer the restraint of the 3 pt belt to the "explosive pillow" in the wheel.
Lastly - Rixter and Jim C - I am planning to come to SITM. Returning from a couple of weeks vacation in the Scottish Isles the day before, so I may not stay up too late on Friday night!!!
Cheers, and thanks for your interest.
Gary Knox
03-26-2007, 08:40 PM
#19
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Thread Starter
Tom,
I took it out because I wanted more storage room, and had the storage shelf from a previous S4. Also, see no need for the "anti-submarine" knee bolster when I always use seat belts. It was installed in air bag cars to avoid submarining in an accident when the airbag went off, but the driver was not wearing a seat belt.
THANKS again for your counsel and write-up.
Gary---
I took it out because I wanted more storage room, and had the storage shelf from a previous S4. Also, see no need for the "anti-submarine" knee bolster when I always use seat belts. It was installed in air bag cars to avoid submarining in an accident when the airbag went off, but the driver was not wearing a seat belt.
THANKS again for your counsel and write-up.
Gary---
03-26-2007, 10:36 PM
#20
Owns the Streets
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Mr. Knox,
YOu weren't one of those that foisted that nasty motorized mouse up the A-pillar automatic restraint system on the poor public, wuz you?
I remember the rental car that ripped my glasses off when I opened the door to look behind the car. Argh!
You're a brave soul retrofitting an airbag.
I remember one 928'er telling of how he rigged a remote release for the airbag connection and had the airbag lying face up on the seat while he disconnected the electrics for the boombag from outside the car.
Enjoy the wheel.
And have fun in Scotland.
YOu weren't one of those that foisted that nasty motorized mouse up the A-pillar automatic restraint system on the poor public, wuz you?
I remember the rental car that ripped my glasses off when I opened the door to look behind the car. Argh!
Originally Posted by Gary Knox
Anyway, I ALWAYS wear my seat belt, so I'm not a big fan of airbags anyway. One of my early career jobs involved restraint systems in the '70's, when our big brother government thought airbags were the solution to automobile deaths.
Gary Knox
Gary Knox
You're a brave soul retrofitting an airbag.
I remember one 928'er telling of how he rigged a remote release for the airbag connection and had the airbag lying face up on the seat while he disconnected the electrics for the boombag from outside the car.
Enjoy the wheel.
And have fun in Scotland.
07-30-2010, 01:27 PM
#22
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Gary,
I really like that wheel!! Is the diameter smaller than stock??
I wondered about doing the same, but having Paul recover in Classic Grey. I think it would look awesome!! I really don't like the stock airbag wheel on the GTS. The momo on my 79 is sportier and looks a whole lot better!!
Jim Morton did the following. (see below) Great looking wheel as well, but wonder if is as "simple" (relative term) as doing the one like yours??!!
Jim's wheel on an airbag car looks great as well. (classic grey recover by paul??!! Hmmmmm....) It's got me thinking!!
I really like that wheel!! Is the diameter smaller than stock??
I wondered about doing the same, but having Paul recover in Classic Grey. I think it would look awesome!! I really don't like the stock airbag wheel on the GTS. The momo on my 79 is sportier and looks a whole lot better!!
Jim Morton did the following. (see below) Great looking wheel as well, but wonder if is as "simple" (relative term) as doing the one like yours??!!
Jim's wheel on an airbag car looks great as well. (classic grey recover by paul??!! Hmmmmm....) It's got me thinking!!
07-30-2010, 05:05 PM
#23
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Chuck,
I love the wheel, and I think it is about 1" smaller in diameter than the OE 928 airbag wheel. It has a safety advantage for me, as the horn "actuator" is the airbag itself. Having driven for 59 years, and essentially all my cars having center horn buttons, I'm not likely to remember the two little buttons on the edge of the wheel spoke in case of an emergency!! It also projects about 1/2 to 1" further from the dash, thus bringing the wheel a bit closer to the driver for better control (large arm muscles are more precise than the shoulder/upper arm muscles used in the extended arm driving position.
Contact me directly if you are interested in a 996 wheel and/or a wheel with airbag.
Gary--
I love the wheel, and I think it is about 1" smaller in diameter than the OE 928 airbag wheel. It has a safety advantage for me, as the horn "actuator" is the airbag itself. Having driven for 59 years, and essentially all my cars having center horn buttons, I'm not likely to remember the two little buttons on the edge of the wheel spoke in case of an emergency!! It also projects about 1/2 to 1" further from the dash, thus bringing the wheel a bit closer to the driver for better control (large arm muscles are more precise than the shoulder/upper arm muscles used in the extended arm driving position.
Contact me directly if you are interested in a 996 wheel and/or a wheel with airbag.
Gary--
Last edited by Gary Knox; 07-31-2010 at 10:43 AM.
07-30-2010, 06:10 PM
#25
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Gary, I really like the wheel in your car. Last time this was discussed I almost bought a 996 wheel in classic grey.... Now I want to do it again.... Looks really nice!
07-31-2010, 01:21 AM
#26
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Jim, Gary,
Thx both for the info!! Good stuff on 2 different ways to go.
So now I guess I've got several options for the GTS:
Paul Champagne stock wheel. -make it look like AO's. Looks (and I guess feels) pretty damn good!!
996 wheel-looks really good, actually can order it in Classic Grey!!
http://www.design911.co.uk/fu/pt67_6...-With-Air-Bag/
Or do the Raid stearing wheel like Jim did and have Paul do the Classic Grey leather, with Porsche Crest on it! Really the coolest looking wheel you can do w an airbag car!!
http://www.design911.co.uk/fu/prod52...Leather-Black/
Classic Grey w a crest on this wheel would look really cool!!
The whole package would be cool, but NOT cheap!
Decisions, Decisions!!
Thx both for the info!! Good stuff on 2 different ways to go.
So now I guess I've got several options for the GTS:
Paul Champagne stock wheel. -make it look like AO's. Looks (and I guess feels) pretty damn good!!
996 wheel-looks really good, actually can order it in Classic Grey!!
http://www.design911.co.uk/fu/pt67_6...-With-Air-Bag/
Or do the Raid stearing wheel like Jim did and have Paul do the Classic Grey leather, with Porsche Crest on it! Really the coolest looking wheel you can do w an airbag car!!
http://www.design911.co.uk/fu/prod52...Leather-Black/
Classic Grey w a crest on this wheel would look really cool!!
The whole package would be cool, but NOT cheap!
Decisions, Decisions!!
07-31-2010, 01:38 AM
#27
Former Vendor
Or do the Raid stearing wheel like Jim did and have Paul do the Classic Grey leather, with Porsche Crest on it! Really the coolest looking wheel you can do w an airbag car!!
http://www.design911.co.uk/fu/prod52...Leather-Black/
Classic Grey w a crest on this wheel would look really cool!!
The whole package would be cool, but NOT cheap!
Decisions, Decisions!!
http://www.design911.co.uk/fu/prod52...Leather-Black/
Classic Grey w a crest on this wheel would look really cool!!
The whole package would be cool, but NOT cheap!
Decisions, Decisions!!
Even without the carbon fiber, these wheels look really impressive.
Paul
07-31-2010, 10:49 AM
#29
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Thread Starter
Chuck and Chuck,
I have an excellent used 996 all leather wheel. It can readily be made any color to match your car interior. The wood/leather one I have is now black. It was a different color when I bought it. Did my "leather cleaning/dyeing process" to make it Porsche black. Been on the car 3 years, and it still looks like new. Send me an e-mail directly if you'd like pictures, etc.
Gary Knox e-mail: kittyandgary@verizon.net
I have an excellent used 996 all leather wheel. It can readily be made any color to match your car interior. The wood/leather one I have is now black. It was a different color when I bought it. Did my "leather cleaning/dyeing process" to make it Porsche black. Been on the car 3 years, and it still looks like new. Send me an e-mail directly if you'd like pictures, etc.
Gary Knox e-mail: kittyandgary@verizon.net
07-31-2010, 11:34 AM
#30
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Gary,
Just sent you an email.
BTW, picked this up on the 993 Forum. Looks like this guy had the same type of wheel redone w a "thicker" rim, and some bling.
Looks nice!
Just sent you an email.
BTW, picked this up on the 993 Forum. Looks like this guy had the same type of wheel redone w a "thicker" rim, and some bling.
Looks nice!