Repost....VDM Porsche Reproduction

I'm wondering if anyone knows if there is anyone making a reproduction of the VDM Porshce Wheel.

I recently purchase one, but I'm thinking about having them made as reproductions if no one else is doing it?

I could make them as 2 bar or 3 bar. But I think the horn ring would be problematic, or very expensive to do, so maybe the wheel without the horn ring and just the horn button?

IIRC - the horn button is uber expensive.

if you ask me - there isnt a market for those wheels - but there is for horn button (and you'd have competition in that arena). unless they are super concourse quality, then you'd have to compete with the market segment that just gets a flat four repo or a CIP special.

IMHO, it's the horn ring that makes the whole thing really desirable, although I disagree about the market for an exact reproduction- I think it's there, and most folks know what they cost (which is to say- a lot).

Paul who is IIRC?

Do they make the horn ring?

Right now I'm having trouble finding the horn ring. What I really like about this wheel is that most people don't have it, but after seeing some of the prices, I can see why. Of course, I just love the look of ivory. Of the ivory you really have this and the Flat 4 style banjo...like is on my Cabriolet or the super duper rare one like in the picture below.

The other thing I like about it is the fact that you don't have anything up in your way from looking at the dash on the two bar. The two bar also looks extremely comfy from a drivng stand point....nice place right above the bars for your hands.

Ignore the label on the picture....I just labeled all of the picture I found that way originally so I could find them later.

Steve, my opinion is that he two bar is better looking; I guess there's a market; I, for one, would buy one in a second.

Yea, the one I bought is a two bar. I like it better and it works better.

What do most VW based replicas use for a spline? I'm sure I could have them made with one adapter for VW replicas and on adapter made for GM columns for us watercooled guys. From a straight marketing perspective I would only develop it for the VW guys, but I got to have one for myself, so the thing is going to get made anyway.

On a side issue, how does the turn signal cancelling work on yor cars? I can't remember, but I think my IM had self cancelling turn signals? I just don't remember how it was built in to the system.

Here is what I believe I need to make it work, but I won't know until I get it.

This type of adapter, but with the correct spline on the end. I know for the GM car's this would mean a spline that is almost twice as big, so it will take a little changing, but this is the basic idea. I believe I would need to make the or find the 40 count spline for most VW repicas. It just needs to have the correct mount for the wheel.

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC%2DC15%2D3500

IIRC = if i recall correctly. sorry for the 'net slang.

This is what it costs usually

Wheel Restored 1300
Horn Button Restored 400
Horn Button Switch 40
Horn Ring Restored 500

About 2300 dollars, although I did pull mine together for less by incorporating some reproduction stuff in there.

Now watch how much less it could be if you just wanted it to look the same and function, but not be internally exactly the same or not using an original restored part.

Reproduction Wheel 250
Reproduction Horn Button 100
Built in Horn Switch 50
Reproduction Horn Ring 150

About 550 dollars.

In fact the only thing I may have to make from scratch is the Wheel itself, I know I can get a horn button and design the wheel to accept it, and the horn switch is easy, the reproduction horn ring was available at one time, but I can't find it. I can buy one now at the 150...if I can figure out who actually makes it, maybe I could get them, but I think you could have them made for that also.
Of course, that is unpainted. I don't think you could afford to paint them and keep the price down. With only a few orders a year and 3 common colors it just wouldn't pay. It's also one of those things people could easily do themselves since it is easily dissassembled.

I would make the spline inserts in different types and just give people the one they want. There is no real profit to be gained, unless you start making the parts and enough were ordered to justify bigger runs, which I don't think would happen.

Or just take entire unit to some other country and have the entire thing reproduced??

Here is an interesting one with a wood wheel.

The two spoke VDM 356 steering wheels came in two sizes as well as having two horn rings.

Smaller wheels were in the roadsters and speedsters, slightly larger ones came in the coupes and some of the cabrios. Of course there was a lot of swapping around. The full horn ring is correct for all A cars, the quarter ring would be for '55 and down.

Just in case you can't find a source for an adapter, for the replica crowd, you could simply mention in the ad copy that a switch to the earlier Beetle steering shaft would work fine. For the full-tilt, use the column, column, bracket, rubber mount insert, blinker assembly and early style steering coupler.

With all of the above, you would have a nice, almost stock, looking set-up. Source a 356 clamp and blinker assembly and it WOULD look factory.

I have two of these wheels, and both style horn rings, and they're SO lovely. I really think that a nice reproduction would be very welcome and sell well to ALL 356 segments, including the VW community looking for a sweet "period correct" accessory wheel.

If you can come up with a GOOD LOOKING adapter, you would increase your marker share to include the entire VW community AND some of the genuine Porsche guys who want to back date the look of their B and C cars, at least interior wise. Just as the early 356s and VW's have the same spline, so do the later 356s and VWs.

Your idea just sounds TERRIFIC ! ! But PLEASE, PLEASE, let me know at least 3 months ahead of your release date so that I can sell my original VDM wheels while there's still a market for them. . . deal? OK ! !

Luck,

TC

Oh, and you might wanna check the progress of this auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsche-356-A-Speedster-VDM-horn-ring-steering_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34205QQihZ011QQitemZ320158794977QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Repro "full ring" 356A style horn ring starting at $145.00

And this bad boy as well:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BEAUTIFUL-Porsche-356-A-Speedster-VDM-Steering-Wheel_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ140729QQihZ011QQitemZ320158605746QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Just to get a feel for what's being offered out there and what's being offered FOR it.

Luck! And remember, lemme know BEFORE you put your repros up for sale so that I can dump my originals . . .

TC

You're right Steve; as TC says the splines are the same for early VW's and 356's, the steering wheels are interchangeable. With respect to those auctions Tc; those guys are very good to deal with. I bought my Hella dual tone horn set from them. Check their website; they really know their cars and motorcycles and they do beautiful restorations as well.

Don't worry, members of this site will have the heads up.

It would be nice to find a reproduction column, does anyone know who makes those? I ask because in a lot of ways it may be easier to just have an adapter from the column to the different style bars that then go to the steering box? I like this idea, because then the adapting to something else would be completely hidden for people willing to buy the reproduction column. For people who already have a car, then the hub adapter would be the only cost effective and easy way to change over.

You could make the horn ring for the 55 style easy, by just cutting off the upper part and grinding the ends correctly...that would actually be an easy change over. I would make the full circle, because it is obviously easier to cut something off then make something that isn't there and I would make the turn signal cancel feature in a modern style.

I did end up buying a column and shaft from a 51 split window....it should work fine for me, and I can use it to come up with reproduction options.

Steven - that's a pretty ambitious project, good luck! It would be cool to have a replica option for steering wheels!

Steven,

The basic colum can be made up from tube stock, I have replaced VW Beetle steering shaft bearings off the shelf at Tractor Supply.

That's exactly what I am planning....heck you could make them for 50 dollars each once you have one to duplicate.

I'm also looking at the idea of having custom shafts made that have the exact spline you want on the end.

Heck, I may just end up having a total package, it may be easier and cheaper then trying to adapt the funky connection on these wheels.