Vintage Nardi wheel question

[Mark Cohn]

I received this wheel with a project and am not sure whether to restore and use it or leave it hanging on the wall. It will clearly need a good polish and new wood, but I am not sure about the horn button. What can I expect the polishing and "re-wooding" to cost, and, is this button complete and appropriate for my '59 cab? I have never had a wood wheel so this is new territory for me.

[Gerry McCarthy]

Mark:
I'm not qualified to comment on the restoration of you wheel, but we have several vendors who I am sure can make it as new.
My comment, if you actually USE your car is: why? Bruce Jennings was a friend of mine, and told me in no uncertain terms, that he would NEVER drive a car with a wood rimmed steering wheel. He was forced off the road at very high speed at Watkins Glen, by a rather ambitious Corvette driver. He did multiple end over end and side over side rolls. 1 month later the only injury that remained painful and debilitating were the gashes and missing flesh on his hands, from the shattered wood steering wheel. He was scared and had some discomfort for the rest of his life. They are pretty, but so is a black widow.

[Edwin Ek]

Bruce Crawford is the man for rewooding. Flawless work and fair prices. Gerry's post about the dangers of a wood wheel in an accident is spot on. But man they can be beautiful.

[Max Handley]

Looks like the real deal, I would definetly have Bruce Crawford restore it.

[Ron LaDow]

They are pretty, but so is a black widow.

+1
I drove two cars that had them, and fortunately never paid for it, but as the wheel in question shows, 'they are pretty'.

[Mike Smith]

Gerry`s Comment -

if you actually USE your car is: why? Bruce Jennings was a friend of mine, and told me in no uncertain terms, that he would NEVER drive a car with a wood rimmed steering wheel. He was forced off the road at very high speed at Watkins Glen, by a rather ambitious Corvette driver. He did multiple end over end and side over side rolls. 1 month later the only injury that remained painful and debilitating were the gashes and missing flesh on his hands, from the shattered wood steering wheel. He was scared and had some discomfort for the rest of his life. They are pretty, but so is a Black Widow

They are not allowable for Race Use in Europe for this very reason

[Alan Lay]

Send your wheel to Mike Lampert in SC.

He finished my Nardi.

[Bill Tate]

Jack Arct did an excellent job restoring my original VDM wheel several years ago and it still looks great.

[Frank Barrett]

Mark:

Jennings's problem may not have been the wood wheel as much as it was driving on a race track with a goofy Corvette driver. I have wood-rimmed Nardis on two cars and love them, despite the fact that SCCA forbids them. I also eat bacon and enjoy a glass of decent wine every night.

Frank

[Joris Koning]

Send your wheel to Mike Lampert in SC.

He finished my Nardi.

+1 On Mike, he does stunning work.

[Miguel Antonetti]

Mark:

I have wood-rimmed on two cars and love them, despite the fact that SCCA forbids them. I also eat bacon and enjoy a glass of decent wine every night.

Frank

+1. They promote a unique feeling while driving...

[Bil Brown]

Mike Lempert has done a number of wheels for me, beautiful work!

[Steve Proctor]

Frank, that glass of red wine is good for you. Decent wine is even better!!! If that wheel is really badly pitted, you might consider engine turn. I had Bruce Crawford do that one one of mine years ago. Love the look - not stock for a Nardi, but love the look.

STP