1968 Deluxe Steering Wheel Questions

RU_SPCL2 · Jun 22, 2015

Does anyone know if the deluxe steering wheel center pad was always wood-grain? Or did it come matched to the interior color when the wheel was ordered as a standalone option on a standard interior car?

Does anyone have a source for the wood-grain center pad?

Mosesatm · Jun 22, 2015

Pretty sure they were always wood grain metal. I don't think anyone reproduces them.
Here's a wheel on eBay. Most of the center panels are worn like the one shown in the ad.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/68-mustang-...ode-/400938041192?hash=item5d59c4ff68&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/67-68-1967-...D-DELUXE-AQUA-GT-COUPE-FASTBACK-/231601016524

franklinair · Jun 22, 2015

IIRC, The Deluxe interior package (wood grain dash panels) would have the wood grain steering wheel center. Standard interior models had the color keyed center piece.
The wood grain center piece is metal with a wood grain applique' applied to it. Also the Deluxe steering wheel had a wood grain. (They're tough to find, and expensive to have refinished.)
I couldn't find a Black Deluxe steering wheel for my current project, so I went with a standard wheel with the Deluxe center.

Neil

teamlo · Jun 23, 2015

I have a '68 deluxe steering wheel that needs restored that I have been holding onto for years. My car didn't come with one originally, but they sure look good when restored. As Neil said, not cheap to restore properly.

Terry

RU_SPCL2 · Jun 23, 2015

franklinair said:
IIRC, The Deluxe interior package (wood grain dash panels) would have the wood grain steering wheel center. Standard interior models had the color keyed center piece.
Neil

My car is a standard interior model (black) but was ordered with the deluxe wheel option. I have the original deluxe wheel (not installed) awaiting restoration. There is currently a standard black wheel installed with a black surround and black center pad.

If I can verify that the car would have come with a color-keyed center pad, then I will restore the deluxe wheel and mate it with the existing surround and center pad.

If it would have come with the wood grain center pad, then I might skip the restoration as I think the look of a wood grain wheel/center pad in an otherwise all black interior would seem out of place.

Neil, any idea where you may have come across the information regarding standard interior models being color keyed?

Maybe Marty can also shed some light on this?

Thanks to everyone for the responses and for the help. You guys rock.

Mitch

Ruppstang · Jun 23, 2015

As Neil said the deluxe wheel came with the wood grain on the center pad. This wheel - pad combination was intended to go with the décor interior with no other way to get it. But in past years you could order a deluxe wheel so since there was demand they allowed the deluxe wheel to be optioned separately. To answer your question no a deluxe wheel would not have had the black center trim pad. If you like the black change it unless it is a concours car. It is not hard to change back.
Hope this helps. Marty

franklinair · Jun 23, 2015

Don't know where to find written verification, but after 40+ years of working on '68 Mustangs, this is what I have observed: Deluxe Interior (which included the woodgrain steering wheel has the woodgrain insert.
I DO have a copy of the Salesman's list of standard equipment and options. It lists the Interior Décor Group (Deluxe Interior) and states "Woodgrain Steering Wheel Rim and Insert". The woodgrain steering wheel was not listed as a 'stand alone' option- it was only part of the Deluxe package.
Hope this helps.

Neil

Ruppstang · Jun 23, 2015

Here it is described in my 1968 Ford options sales catalog .
Marty

franklinair · Jun 23, 2015

Couldn't tell by the photo: Is the cluster pictured standard or woodgrain?

Neil

Ruppstang · Jun 23, 2015

Sorry it did not scan very well but it is camera case black.
Marty

dalorzo_f · Jun 24, 2015

As Neil said, not cheap to restore properly.

You ain't kiddin'.... with shipping better part of $900 to get this setup... (at least $1300 Aus for me here in Pacific Pesos... :undecided )

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-Ford-M...eel-/181783783944?hash=item2a53286a08&vxp=mtr

(it does look very nice....)

franklinair · Jun 24, 2015

Marty's option catalog looks to be more extensive than my salesman's guide. Perhaps the woodgrain wheel WAS offered as a stand alone option. I've just never seen this upgrade in a '68 standard interior.

Neil

teamlo · Jun 24, 2015

Here is a Marti report on a '68 Mustang GT with standard nugget gold interior and deluxe steering wheel. Sorry it's hard to see, I pulled it from a recent ebay listing. The photos of the car on ebay show an aftermarket steering wheel unfortunately.

Terry

franklinair · Jun 24, 2015

Live & learn.:smile:

Neil

Mosesatm · Jun 24, 2015

teamlo said:
Here is a Marti report on a '68 Mustang GT with standard nugget gold interior and deluxe steering wheel. Sorry it's hard to see, I pulled it from a recent ebay listing. The photos of the car on ebay show an aftermarket steering wheel unfortunately.

Terry

Interesting.
The Marti shows it being ordered that way by the customer (Retail).

RU_SPCL2 · Jun 24, 2015

I have seen several Marti reports and window stickers showing the deluxe wheel as a standalone option, including my car.

Maybe someone has a deluxe Marti report that reveals how many came with the standalone deluxe wheel? The Mustang by the Numbers book doesn't break down this option.

RU_SPCL2 · Jun 24, 2015

Here's the Marti report showing the deluxe wheel...

nikzack · Jun 24, 2015

My special has standard interior and was ordered with a deluxe wheel. It shows on the Marti

Ruppstang · Jun 24, 2015

I guess what I was trying to say it was not originally intended as a stand a lone option but Ford changed their mind and offered it as a stand alone option as reflected in you Marti reports.
Marty

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