Modern Bullitt build

[Lennard]

 

[Jduv10007]

Looking good and what a cool product.

[alfaitalia]

If mine finishes up 50% as good as your I will be happy!

[mike69440]

You damn inner fender looks really close to a "Class A" finish!

A Lot of cars during the automotive dark days of the 70's & 80's did not look that good on the exterior panels!

[keepat]

I've been laid up for a few weeks with some hernia surgery but I use this downtime to work on modifying the woodgrain steering wheel for the car. I love the look of the woodgrain wheel but driving my silver charger it was never comfortable handling the steering wheel as it's so thin. So I decided to modify this wood wheel to have a much larger modern size grip. I did not want to enlarge the diameter of the wheel as there already a little large compared to modern cars so I moved the inner ring in by about 3/8 of an inch. To do this I had to cut the S/S inner ring at all three spokes and weld it smaller in diameter and then Cut a new slot in all three spokes to hold the ring in its new location. While I have the steering wheel out for re-plating the spokes I need to brainstorm how I'm going to remake the larger plastic wood grain handle??? Suggestions welcomed!
Thanks
Pat

[Dino]

Pat I have wanted to do this for several years now, I too want a thicker wheel rim without enlarging the diameter. My wheel is in very good shape though and I haven't found another wheel yet to experiment with. It's kinda low on the priority list as well. Anyway, I was going to use real wood for it. So I would get a chunk of wood bg enough to cut the circle out. Then cut it to fit around the rim and shape it from there.

[WhiteOnGreen]

Hi, Since my 68 Charger when bought the car , he had a pretty ugly for my taste Grant steering wheel , I got the original one and casually agree with you about enlarging the diameter for better grip.
To make the hoop I used tape edging wooden board, wenge wood by gluing Epoxy band I was by wrapping until the bulk of my taste apart from a bit more to work it to milling comfortably. Like you , I increased the bulk inward having to modify steel rings outer and inner.

[keepat]

WhiteOnGreen that looks awesome, great job! please post or PM me more info on what used and how you used it.
Thank you!
Pat

Pat I have wanted to do this for several years now, I too want a thicker wheel rim without enlarging the diameter. My wheel is in very good shape though and I haven't found another wheel yet to experiment with. It's kinda low on the priority list as well. Anyway, I was going to use real wood for it. So I would get a chunk of wood bg enough to cut the circle out. Then cut it to fit around the rim and shape it from there.

Dino, real wood will look great and I wish they made it that way originally, but I'm trying to keep it stock looking even at the expense of looking cheap :-(
Thanks
Pat

[igozumn]

Just when I thought this thread couldn't get any better......   

[keepat]

Just when I thought this thread couldn't get any better......   

Thanks 
Pat

[WhiteOnGreen]

Hi, since I live in Spain and technical words may be different,  I will try to explain the best I know.
1 roll edgebanding real wood wenge non preglued (like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/WENGE-WOOD-VENEER-EDGEBANDING-7-8-Size-5-8-to-2-x-500-ROLL-/161114131642?var=&hash=item2583268cba:m:md-1TzwzRPw4SZwpNCPf6Ag
Size in mine is in mm 0,8x40

For glued I used a Epoxi resin UV resistant, since the steering wheel is exposed to sun is the best option. I work in the boat composite sector and I usually work with Gurit, SP115 http://www.gurit.com/sp-115.aspx

I cut a wooden circle 1/4" smaller than the final size of steering, since is necesary milling a plus thick is the best. Around the circle, glueing and wraping the edgebanding, when is dry is perfec for milling.
First, I mark and cut the loop half crossway and milling the mid diameter plus a 2 mm (for final glued) of the steering wheel internal reinforcement Sorry, no pics.
Next is mill the external round, finger marks  and inner, outside steel bands recess.
Test fit everything looks correct and glue with Epoxi filler (I used Gurit Spabond 340), ready for hand sand before aply two thin coat SP115 Epoxi resin, sand between coats.
Any question, glad to help

[keepat]

Hi, since I live in Spain and technical words may be different,  I will try to explain the best I know.
1 roll edgebanding real wood wenge non preglued (like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/WENGE-WOOD-VENEER-EDGEBANDING-7-8-Size-5-8-to-2-x-500-ROLL-/161114131642?var=&hash=item2583268cba:m:md-1TzwzRPw4SZwpNCPf6Ag
Size in mine is in mm 0,8x40

For glued I used a Epoxi resin UV resistant, since the steering wheel is exposed to sun is the best option. I work in the boat composite sector and I usually work with Gurit, SP115 http://www.gurit.com/sp-115.aspx

I cut a wooden circle 1/4" smaller than the final size of steering, since is necesary milling a plus thick is the best. Around the circle, glueing and wraping the edgebanding, when is dry is perfec for milling.
First, I mark and cut the loop half crossway and milling the mid diameter plus a 2 mm (for final glued) of the steering wheel internal reinforcement Sorry, no pics.
Next is mill the external round, finger marks  and inner, outside steel bands recess.
Test fit everything looks correct and glue with Epoxi filler (I used Gurit Spabond 340), ready for hand sand before aply two thin coat SP115 Epoxi resin, sand between coats.
Any question, glad to help

Thank you for the pictures and info!
Pat

[MxRacer855]

Pat, brother... the anticipation is killing me! 

Jeff

[Jduv10007]

Pat,

Your not aloud to take any time off on your car. I know I am one of many that get notify when this thread has a reply and I am love what you do. 

[Charger_Fan]

WhiteonGreen, nice work on your steering wheel, very impressive!

[keepat]

Pat, brother... the anticipation is killing me! 

Jeff

Jeff, it's killing me also ;-)

Pat,

Your not aloud to take any time off on your car. I know I am one of many that get notify when this thread has a reply and I am love what you do. 

Trust me, if I could I would be working on the Charger. But still recovering and fall boat show season is about to start.
Thank you for tuning in ;-)
Pat

[cbrestorations]

I'm curious how your gonna do this wheel, I want the same in mine. Racing and drifting is gonna kill my fingers with the skinny

[keepat]

I'm curious how your gonna do this wheel, I want the same in mine. Racing and drifting is gonna kill my fingers with the skinny

Me too ;-) I'm working on a formula of resin and brown gelcoat to match the color that the factory used on the original woodgrain steering wheels. It's funny I think it's actually going to take more time to make fake looking woodgrain then it would to make it out of real wood.
Thanks
Pat

[Ryan]

Not sure if this will help you but I do remember one of the guys doing woodgrain steering wheel restos does offer the thicker wheel option that you are looking to do.  I'll see if I can dig around and find who it was.

[keepat]

Not sure if this will help you but I do remember one of the guys doing woodgrain steering wheel restos does offer the thicker wheel option that you are looking to do.  I'll see if I can dig around and find who it was.

Thank you!
Pat

[XS29L9B2]

very nice 

[keepat]

Still making progress just not a lot of photogenic things show. A lot of boring sanding to prep the bottom and engine well for base-coat clear-coat.
Thanks
Pat

[Lennard]

Lots of work! Going to look great. 

[keepat]

Indy used pictures and specs of my motor in their on line add for the 6.1 :-)
click on the link and scroll to the bottom.
Pat


http://www.indyheads.com/6.1hemiengines.html

[VegasCharger]

Indy used pictures and specs of my motor in their on line add for the 6.1 :-)
click on the link and scroll to the bottom.
Pat


http://www.indyheads.com/6.1hemiengines.html

That's AWESOME!! 

Any royalties??