Wooden Steering wheel

[cass3958]

I am tempted to go for Wooden steering wheel similar to the Derrington but perhaps not to that expense.
Question is though what size and fitment.
The standard steering wheel is 17 inch and I have power assisted steering so would not want to stay at 17 inch. I was thinking more of a 15 inch wheel not too small to be stupid but OK with the PAS.
Next is the dish. It's a bit like ordering a Pizza. They do a flat, shallow and deep dish which all fit the 9 hole Motolite boss but without the wheel in front of you it is difficult to visualize how the different wheels would look.
Photos and suggestions would be nice please.

[Glyn Ruck]

I'm going for a 15" shallow dish.

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Eagle Speedster (E Type) uses a 15" shallow dish.

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S Type with 15" shallow dish.

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Rim thicknesses vary.

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I also like some riveted rim wheels but think they are a little too fussy in an S Type. This is just personal though.


Riveted flat.

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[NigelW]

Not a great photo as I'm still stuck in the garage, this is my 15inch flat Motalita, wouldn't go for ay any smaller. Don't forget my previous comments about non riveted wheels and splinters in accidents.

[cass3958]

Thanks Guys. 15 inch is the size I will go for its whether to go for flat or shallow dish and i am leaning towards a shallow dish having seen the photos.
Also I quite like the riveted wheels so again leaning that way.

[Glyn Ruck]

Rob ~ should you go for a riveted Moto Lita be aware they are available with standard & thicker rims. Also suggest you try & view before you buy. Some of the plywood they use these days is not the best. You get good ones & bad ones.

[Orlando St.R]

Don't do it, Rob! There's enough wood in that interior already. Back in the day, our cars hardly ever had wood-rim steering wheels. The only one available as an option was the Derrington. Somehow, they look okay on a Mk2, with its part-black dash, but on the S-type, it's just too much.

[David Reilly]

We fitted a Nardi steering wheel just after taking delivery of P1B79909DN.
For me, driving the 'S'-type quickly and holding this wood-rimmed steering wheel with leather driving gloves ... I couldn't ask for better.
Cheers,
David

[cass3958]

Yes I understand that view point Orlando but first, I do like the wood and a bit extra would not harm. Second my steering horn cover has snapped one end off which I could either glue back together, buy a replacement which is expensive and secondhand or plump for a wooden steering wheel which would cost about the same if I were to sell on my old steering wheel.
I also want a smaller 15 inch steering wheel as I find with the PAS the 17 inch wheel is just a tad too big and allows the car to wander at higher speeds. It was quite noticeable on my journey up to Coventry. With the PAS the steering is so light even at speed that a smaller wheel would just give a little more feel and feedback I think.
I like that steering wheel David but think I would go for one with the round holes in the spokes as everything else on the dash has round shapes.
Decisions, decisions!

[Glyn Ruck]

Gents ~ may I suggest a compromise.

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[David Reilly]

That steering wheel is very rare. It is Part No. C.25198 “17” WOOD-RIM STEERING WHEEL” in the the list of ‘Options’ for the ‘S’-type in the Parts Manual.

It was first manufactured at the explicit request of Jaguar, by V. W. Derrington, for use to special order on Mk 2 cars and continued to be offered for the ‘S’-type.

C.25198 is a rarely seen option. Your Editor has seen only three, in over 30 years of attending Jaguar concours and car shows, and only on Mk 2s, never on an 'S’-type.

Cheers,
David