My car is a long way from being started but I need to source some pieces. Might as well start sooner than later. I can put the parts in my man room and day dream. So if I'm going to copy John Oates car I think I need a Derrington style steering wheel. Is a Lempert the way to go? They look very nice.
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I am a bit biased but I can’t help but recommend Mike’s wheels. Heck, you even have time for him to make it. 😬
Mike Lempert?
Do you like the rivets showing through the wheel? I prefer solid wood but it does give it some ruggedness and I really love the seat material.
I have a Lempert. It's beautiful VDM replica.
@IaM-Ray posted:Do you like the rivets showing through the wheel? I prefer solid wood but it does give it some ruggedness and I really love the seat material.
Yeah. See, for me: the rivets are where it's at.
That's why there's 31 flavors.
@550 Phil posted:Mike Lempert?
Yep.
Rivets rule 
Yes they do 
Are the rivets brass? That would be preferable (to me) vs silver (aluminum).
They all look like aluminum faux rivets (I know mine was), but I'm sure brass would work as well.
Ok. Lempert Derrington it is. Sizes offered 15, 15.5, 16 and 17 inch. What size are most folks using. I do like the idea of a smaller wheel. But the big banjo in my Spyder does help with low speed turning and backing.
Robert. It’s very nice. Do you remember the name of the company?
@550 Phil posted:Ok. Lempert Derrington it is. Sizes offered 15, 15.5, 16 and 17 inch. What size are most folks using. I do like the idea of a smaller wheel. But the big banjo in my Spyder does help with low speed turning and backing.
Go with the 15". The others will be too large for a Speedster/Conv. D.
I know I'm missing something - but if you want a Derrington-style wheel, and you don't care to customize it - there's no real reason to get a custom Lempert wheel (that I can see, anyhow). As @Robert M and others have pointed out along the way, great looking, period-correct wheels are available for pretty short money, and without the interminable wait that is part of the Lempert process.
@550 Phil I have a 400mm but a 420mm was the size that was in most cars of the era and your right the big wheel helps with worm and roller steering boxes and I like the look which should not be a problem.
I keep pondering a 420mm VDM/Nardi this one below in a spyder from Petrolicious is solid spokes but the normal VDM on the Classico wheel site has Nardi style spokes but with a 9 hole hub and the horn is either closed like below or exposed and then there is the rivet question of course. 
Personal choice is everything as you know,
but 400mm = 15.75inches.
and 420mm = 16.54 inches.
Just found this site.... https://mrsteeringwheel.com/moto-lita/
here is the wheel and all it's options
https://mrsteeringwheel.com/mo...binations-available/
Down the rabbit hole.
Mike Lempert makes great wheel (I have two), but they are pricey.
However, if you want a customized design, shape, etc. he will do that for you. Specify the wheel design and size, rivet placement, and exotic wood.
As for rivets, here is one option. I also like the down slope design of the wheel spokes, for ease of reading the gauge dials.
Bob's wheel has the same spoke design as my Speedster wheel except I didn't have the @ALB holes drilled in mine. It really is nice to be able to see the gauges.
@550 Phil posted:Robert. It’s very nice. Do you remember the name of the company?
I do not. I've looked for about thirty minutes and can't find them. They advertised on eBay when I bought it. I remember I spent days looking fo just the right one. I'll keep trying and I'll post it if I find it.
i ordered a moto-lita from England directly for my 65 Tiger..beautiful wheel, so many choices, finish, wood, aluminum holes, rivets, etc.
@Lane Anderson posted:Bob's wheel has the same spoke design as my Speedster wheel except I didn't have the @ALB holes drilled in mine. It really is nice to be able to see the gauges.
Honestly, Lane, I never let Al anywhere near my steering wheel. That's why each spoke only has four holes...
https://www.holden.co.uk/p/der...d_rim_steering_wheel
There was a guy about three years ago doing these kinds of wheels in China and selling on ebay for, I think, under $200 per. And they were pretty nice, as I recall. But he might be gone.
Update: this might be him.
Marty, I do find the edge is rather different on the derrington wheels. My favourite wheel so far was Anand's ebony VDM GT wheel he had made by Mike, a piece of artwork. On the other hand yours was pretty cool too.
@IaM-Ray posted:My favourite wheel so far was Anand's ebony VDM GT wheel he had made by Mike, a piece of artwork. On the other hand yours was pretty cool too.
If anyone is interested in this wheel let me know. I was going to use in in my car but decided on a smaller wheel.
Post a pict and also what size is it Joe? @Joe Fortino
Phil. If you don't mind a slight dish. Call Leccara and see if they still make there version in wood. Its the best for the money. I had several and it was the perfect shape.
I found this on the Moto-Lita site what is interesting is the bolt circle so to speak called PCD below, which shows Nardi vs Moto-Lita vs Derrington 9 bolt which are the hubs that we need to fit the wheels we have. Steering wheel hub sizes are interesting without of course the orginala vw or P steering columns and hubs.
https://www.moto-lita.co.uk/ac...mo-or-nardi-adaptor/ Allows use of a Moto-lita wheel on a momo or nardi hub...
@IaM-Ray posted:Post a pict and also what size is it Joe? @Joe Fortino
Here you go, it is 422mm (16 5/8") and the pictures do not do it justice.
The picts are so small I can't see them
so many options. Size, flat vs dished, 6 bolt nardi/momo vs 9 bolt hub style, horn ring and button, steering column spline sizing to fit preferred hub, and crash cage vs old school impalement rod. Some threads options /ideas/ pictures;
https://www.speedsterowners.co...sw-my-steering-wheel
https://www.speedsterowners.co...teering-wheel-source
i have gone through 5/ 6 wheels since 2013. Love my Lempert wheel…. The ISP DArrington style option is the one I use most ( currently on car) because of the 1” dish and preference for horn ring/ 9 bolt style, and wood coloring/design elements.
loved the MSW ( repo of original ivory wheel… solid wheel/ little flex)… but pulled it off until I can have the steering column modified that fits it to include a crash cage. I have been in no rush because I like the smaller 380mm of my lempert/ vdm/Darrington wheels vs larger msw 400mm sizing.
welcome to the madness.
Looking through Mikes current inventory page, it looks like he may have some DArrington style wheels in inventory, in various flavors… https://pbase.com/mdlempert/invent030514b
and motto-Lita source- https://www.moto-lita.co.uk/steering-wheels/
Jack Molleur contacted me and offered to sell me the steering wall mounted on his wall. Funny I have a Nardi mounted on my wall but it just wasn’t quite right. This is the same wheel Marty suggested. Assuming he had it in his car. Moto-Lita 15” Derrington style. Exactly what I wanted. What a great find. Thanks Jack.
Good for you Phil
Welcome Phil. I intended to build a car around it, but changed the plan.
Hey Phil, tell me about your Nardi..
