Seems like every kustom we looked at this summer had a '59 Impala steering wheel. Apart from the fact that there must be an awful lot of '59 Impalas going around without tillers, it brought to our attention just how important the right steering wheel is when planning the look or period feel of a kustom. With that in mind, we started looking around at what's available, both in the aftermarket and restoration fields. So, whether you're building a period-correct kustom (from whatever period!) or are looking for a billet wheel that'll suit your build style, we've brought together a selection. Many of the suppliers featured here have a larger selection than shown, but we deliberately stayed away from banjo, classic Vette-style wood rim, and hot rod-style wheels, concentrating on the kustom stuff. Check out the various suppliers' Web sites-you'll be surprised at just how many wheels are out there.
You may want a wheel that has the look of an original, but in a smaller, more modern, diameter. They're available too, and in more styles than you may think. There are even companies that will reduce the diameter of a wheel you already have. Of course a large number of kustom builders will want an original wheel, be it the popular '59-60 Olds, '59 Impala, or '46-48 Ford wheel, or something more obscure, in which case you're probably going to have to trawl the swap meets or eBay. But once you find that coveted treasure, rest assured there are companies that can restore it to its former glory, or modify it and refinish it to suit your taste, or even supply a kit for you to restore it yourself. Whichever option you choose, your kustom can now have the wheel it deserves.
Grant
Grant is a name that's been synonymous with aftermarket steering wheels seemingly forever. In fact, we'd bet that the first aftermarket wheel most of us bought was a Grant! The company's wheels shown here are 14 3/4-inch diameter with a 2 1/2-inch dish, and are new designs.
The Heritage Collection has 12 new models with two-, three-, and four-spoke designs. First up is the two-spoke Deuce (#15851), with polished aluminum spokes and a machined trim piece that simulates the look of a horn ring. The rim is leather with finger grips on the rear. The Two Tone (#15861) features black anodized spokes and polished billet trim piece. Once again, the rims are available in leather or mahogany, and are not partial aluminum, as used on many billet wheels. The modular construction of the Two Tone allows the spokes to be removed to be custom painted or even upholstered.
Billet Specialties
Every Billet Specialties wheel is manufactured in the U.S., machined from a 6061-T6 forging, and then polished. Leather half-wraps are available in nine colors, as well as simulated carbon fiber and burlwood. Stainless steel countersunk screws hold the half-wrap to the wheel from the backside, where you'll find milled and polished finger notches. The wheels are available in many original styles in 14-inch diameters, with select styles in 15-inch. Shown here are the Classic and the all-new Profile Series Rat Tail, which features a new 3D machined profile. All three styles are offered in both diameters.
Because Billet Specialties steering wheels are made up of four separate components, all available separately, you can mix and match your choice of wheel, half-wrap, horn button, and adapter.
Budnik
Budnik invented the Split Grip steering wheel to provide a leather front with smooth machined finger notches on the backside, while eliminating problems with stitched-on grips. With a patented horn button and adapter, the assembly is complete and ready to fit to your vehicle. Nine stock leather colors are available, or you can send Budnik your custom material to perfectly match the rest of your interior. Shown are the Crossfire and Saturn designs, both offered in 13 3/4- or 15 1/2-inch diameters to suit your needs.
Impy's
Impy's billet steering wheels feature hand-sewn, leather-wrapped, cushioned grips for driving comfort along with three-dimensional, fully machined billet aluminum spokes. The spoke and wheel frames are constructed of one piece for maximum strength.
The Cruiser wheel shown comes in 14 1/2-inch diameter, while the Classic is available in 14 1/2- and 13 1/2-inch sizes. Stock colors are black, light gray, dark gray, tan, burgundy, blue, and white, but custom wrapping is available if you supply your own leather, with no extra charge, though it will take a little more time to process your order.
Classic Steering Wheels
If you love the appearance of the '55-56, '57, or '58-60 steering wheel but would prefer a smaller diameter, Classic Steering Wheels has your answer, offering these wheels in 15-inch diameters instead of the stock 18-inch. Supplied with the chrome horn ring and center cap, these wheels are produced in black, though they can be painted to match your car, and fit the stock steering column using the original horn, nuts, and directional parts. They also fit ididit columns, using adapters available from ididit.
Mooneyes
The California Metalflake steering wheel by Mooneyes is available in blue, silver, red, orange, and green, as well as non-'flake white and black. The rim is vinyl and the spokes are available either slotted as shown, or with round holes. There are also four sizes from which to choose: 10-inch diameter with a 5 1/2-inch dish, 12 1/2-inch diameter with a 3 1/2-inch dish, 13 1/2-inch diameter with a 3 1/2-inch dish, and 15-inch diameter with a 4 1/8-inch dish.
Pearlcraft
Those of you with an interest in trucks may have seen Pearlcraft's work in the May 2007 issue of our sister publication, Classic Trucks, where Editor Rob Fortier had Pearlcraft work its magic on the rare '49 Deluxe accessory steering wheel from his '53 Chevy truck. Plying their craft for more than 30 years, the guys at Pearlcraft have perfected the art of finishing a wheel in a pearl or almost marble finish, in a variety of colors, even two-tone. They can also reduce the diameter of wheels, a trick that forms a big part of their modification work, in addition to straight restorations. Pearlcraft is based in Melbourne, Australia, but the additional shipping costs are far outweighed by the wow factor one of their steering wheels elicits. Just check out the before-and-after pictures of Rob's wheel, as well as the Caddy wheel in the lead photo of this article.
Before
After
Colorado Custom
Colorado Custom has more than 50 steering wheel designs, with matching road wheels, though we're looking at just two of them here. The duo-tone rim of the Classic Two Tone provides a 1950s look in 14-inch diameter and a billet wheel. In fact, both wheels shown here are 14-inch diameter. We said we weren't going to include banjo-style wheels in this article, but Colorado Custom's take on the banjo is certainly different and worthy of inclusion. Both wheels are available in 11 different colors of leather half-wrap or split-wrap.
LeCarra
LeCarra Steering Wheels are available in a wide variety of styles, featuring select wood or fully padded, one-piece, hand-sewn premium leather wraps. For a truly custom look, LeCarra also offers a variety of accessories and steering hub adapters to complement the steering wheels and allow mounting in a wide range of vehicles.
The Mark 10 shown here harks back to an older era, and like the original equipment wheels of its time, it features a gloss-black hard rim and functional billet horn ring. It is also available primed and ready for your paint color of choice, or with a horn button instead of the billet ring.
DIY Repair Kit
So you really want to use that old steering wheel you picked up for next to nothing, but it has huge cracks in it, smells bad, and generally looks more like garage wall art than something you'd want to put inside your kustom? Sure, it can be saved, as we've shown above, but what if you're the type who likes to do everything yourself? Then fire up the computer and visit www.POR15.com, where you'll find a steering wheel repair kit. Complete with instructions, the guys at POR15 have made sure the kit includes everything you'll need to bring your wheel back up to show-quality condition. The kit can also be used to repair other hard-rubber, Bakelite, or plastic parts, such as dash knobs, shift knobs, or radio buttons.