Black Steering Wheel

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Martin Bruechle
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Black Steering Wheel

#1 Post by Martin Bruechle »

Any info on black steering wheels on a 53 ?

Would it be a Black Petri, Banjo, or a Tri Spoke VW Split type ?

Trying to figure out what steering wheel came on my 53 under optional equipment on the COA ?

VIN # is 50767
Any info would be great, thanks Martin.

COA says this info below;

1953 356/1500 Coupe
Production date 6/22/1953
Engine Number/Type 31581
Exterior Paint Color/Code Black/R501B
Interior Material Color/Type Reddish Brown Leatherette w/Corduroy Inserts

Optional Equipment
Antenna Black Steering Wheel
2 Comfort Seats Black Gearshift Knob

Martin Bruechle
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Re: Black Steering Wheel

#2 Post by Martin Bruechle »

Also the seats, car came with one folding and one fixed (boomerang)

COA says 2 Comfort Seats

Are those the "Comfort Seats ?
Or does that refer to the "Interior Material Color/Type Reddish Brown Leatherette w/Corduroy Inserts" on the COA ?
Thanks, Martin

Martin Bruechle
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Re: Black Steering Wheel

#3 Post by Martin Bruechle »

James Davies would you or any other Pre A specialists have any info on this ?
Thanks

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Spencer Harris
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Re: Black Steering Wheel

#4 Post by Spencer Harris »

Martin,
I've not heard the term 'comfort seats' used to describe the reclining style seat hinge, but I have seen one of each type seat hinge on earlier cars. According to the '55 parts book non-reclining hinges were standard through '53 cars made in early '54, but reclining hinges were I think optional as early as '52 and maybe earlier. James will have more detailed info on the application.
pp279 55parts.jpg
My '53 cab (#60238, 8-17-53) is color code C501A which is black with reddish brown leather. I will be interested in what 'reddish-brown' color you select for your upholstery.
Spencer Harris
San Joaquin Valley, CA.

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Spencer Harris
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Re: Black Steering Wheel

#5 Post by Spencer Harris »

Dr. Johnson's book (pp 108) describes standard & optional steering wheels consistent with the '53 parts manual. No mention in either publication of black steering wheels, but of course anything was presumably available.
53 Manual XIV.jpg
53 Manual XIV_2.jpg
The banjo style was the standard wheel used through Model 52 available in 400 or 425mm diameter. The 400mm Pealit wheel with the horn ring and plain horn button was considered optional. Both wheels were made by Petri.
The two-spoke 400mm wheel with the Porsche crest horn button was introduced on the '53 model, but no chassis number is referenced. I suppose if someone was ordering a black wheel on a '53 they may have specified any of the three. You might get more details if you can round up a Kardex for your car.
Spencer Harris
San Joaquin Valley, CA.

Martin Bruechle
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Re: Black Steering Wheel

#6 Post by Martin Bruechle »

Thanks you very much for the info. Spent some time on the web and very little info or pics of black wheels on Pre A's.
Friend of mine has the aftermarket Petri in black on his 53.

Now I'm wondering about the dash color ? Black ? Guess I'm going to have dig into this car more.
Could it have come with a lighter color dash ?
Not sure if this is correct but it seems there are far less black Pre A's than the standard colors ?
Is there any truth to that ? Thanks again, Martin

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Bil Brown
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Re: Black Steering Wheel

#7 Post by Bil Brown »

Martin ......do you have a copy of the Kardex?
Bill Brown

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Spencer Harris
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Re: Black Steering Wheel

#8 Post by Spencer Harris »

Martin Bruechle wrote:Now I'm wondering about the dash color ? Black ? Guess I'm going to have dig into this car more.
Could it have come with a lighter color dash ?
Check out the end panels of the dash when you remove it. Oftentimes these panels have never been repainted. Also the underside of the dash and the glove box door should give you some clues. Yes, you'll need to be part archeologist to get all the answers. The Kardex may be invaluable given discrepancies that are often listed on the COA.
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Spencer Harris
San Joaquin Valley, CA.

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Alan Hall
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Re: Black Steering Wheel

#9 Post by Alan Hall »

My brother's '53 black coupe (USA Std.) with tan corduroy had the maroon dash color, same as in Spencer's photos.

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Spencer Harris
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Re: Black Steering Wheel

#10 Post by Spencer Harris »

Alan Hall wrote:My brother's '53 black coupe (USA Std.) with tan corduroy had the maroon dash color, same as in Spencer's photos.
Shane East scanned and color matched to the dash ends and shot the dash, windshield frame and door tops with single-stage Glasurit. How close does this look Alan?
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Spencer Harris
San Joaquin Valley, CA.

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Alan Hall
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Re: Black Steering Wheel

#11 Post by Alan Hall »

That looks great Spencer! A lot of people, myself included, get the dash too red, but yours looks like a great match to the original.
Alan

Martin Bruechle
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Re: Black Steering Wheel

#12 Post by Martin Bruechle »

No Kardex.

Now I am itching to find out the dash color. Hoping for maroon.
Thanks for the info Alan and Spencer.

The previous owner drilled some holes for extra gauges and switches,
his plan was to put in a 911 motor. Car came with banana arms on it for the IRS.
Need to get a tranny to make it a roller. I do have a extra rear end but I think the original can be saved.
I have a extra dash so will need to decide which dash to run. Extra stuff came from my 52 I parted out in the mid 90's.

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Jules Dielen
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Re: Black Steering Wheel

#13 Post by Jules Dielen »

A coupe in the 116xx vin range (built sept 52) has a note on the kardex indicating the ,new steering wheel', i.e the 2 spoke vdm. 11816, built late 52, has an ivory vdm. 11933 does too. 11141 has a petri 3 spoke.

Comfort seats refers to reclining seats, they called them schlafsitze in german.
Jules

Water pumps are for windshield washers only.

David Pateman
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Re: Black Steering Wheel

#14 Post by David Pateman »

Reclining seats: called schlafsitze in German. Great, another translation fixed in my file. Thanks.
Contact for Kardex

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James Davies
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Re: Black Steering Wheel

#15 Post by James Davies »

Martin,

Use your original dash if you can and repair the holes:

1) Your original 1953 dash has the last 2 digits of your chassis number stamped on it (below the radio) insert.

2) Your 1953 dash is different from your 1952 dash - the little tab holding the 2 or 3 knobs below the ashtray is wider on the 1952 dash.

Also, have you looked at the layers of paint on your original 1953 dash? You should be able to find maroon if it is there. It will be the layer over the body color paint on the dash. You may have to do some paint archaeology with some polishing compound and elbow grease.

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