Reproduction Steering Wheels

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Heuer
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#1 Reproduction Steering Wheels

Post by Heuer » Thu Aug 09, 2018 4:56 pm

This company have started making both the CTB Co early wheel and the later mahogany grooved wheel. Quality looks to be stunning. Not cheap at £545 + VAT but beautifully made: http://jacobengineering.co.uk/index.php ... -wheels-2/

"The steering wheels which we are now supplying to fit the Jaguar E type Series 1 and 2 are made to exact specifications, such that it is not possible to tell the difference between ours and ones which were made in the 1960’s – simply because there are no differences, they are truly a very British, hand made and hand finished steering wheel.

Our wheels are manufactured in exactly the same way that was adopted in period and without the use of CNC equipment, which is so often employed in today’s manufacturing. The owner of our steering wheels can rest assured that their replacement is, in reality, the result of many hours of skilled work using traditional methods.

Our early rims are correctly produced using European Beech (Fagus Sylvatica), this was the main wood of choice for Coventry Timber Bending in their manufacture of the early S1 E-type wheels, each rim being made up of several leaves of Beech which are wrapped and joined with a long scarf overlap.

Rims for later cars are produced using specially selected West African Golden Mahogany, with its typically coarser, interlocking grain structure. The colour of this timber in the main is rather pale for Mahogany and notwithstanding the grain structure and visible ray flakes, only a little darker in colour than beech, however, some of the wood presents with a darker hue as one might more typically associate with the name of the species.

Out of the hundreds of original wheels that we have been able to examine over the past 30 years, many of the later fully enclosed rims have displayed random colours of wood laminates within the rim structure, sometimes two darker or lighter pieces together, sometimes alternate and at times a uniform selection throughout. This feature was the result of random selection of wood during the manufacturing process and being that it was more difficult to see the variations until the wood was either moistened or varnished; it is no wonder that variations became part of the natural manufacturing process when producing literally thousands of these wheels.
We have adopted the same method in the selection and grouping of the individual leaves that make up the rim.

All our wheels are finally bonded together using the same type of glue as was originally adopted, offering virtually invisible joints."
David Jones
S1 OTS OSB; S1 FHC ODB
1997 Porsche 911 Guards Red

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Gfhug
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#2 Re: Reproduction Steering Wheels

Post by Gfhug » Thu Aug 09, 2018 8:06 pm

One would hope they would be good at twice the price of the SNGB offering which also comes in 15" size, a useful benefit. Can we rely on you to buy one to do a comparison on our behalf? :wink:

Seriously, do you think they compare?

Geoff
S2 FHC Light Blue
S2 OTS LHD - RHD full restoration

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Heuer
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#3 Re: Reproduction Steering Wheels

Post by Heuer » Thu Aug 09, 2018 8:54 pm

Both my cars have original CBT steering wheels so I have no interest in getting another. One of the rules of this Forum, which I try to adhear to, is we do not solicite "review" samples of any product. In the 10 years administering this Forum I have never received anything for free (which I admit is a disappointment, apart from Angus buying me lunch ) but chimes with our ethos.

However if any one out there wants to champion a product please go ahead, but make your association with the vendor clear.

As regards this vendor they do seem to be doing it right. We should give them the chance.
David Jones
S1 OTS OSB; S1 FHC ODB
1997 Porsche 911 Guards Red

Add your E-Type to our World Map: http://forum.etypeuk.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1810

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#4 Re: Reproduction Steering Wheels

Post by Gfhug » Fri Aug 10, 2018 7:42 am

Angus bought you lunch? :roll: You must have caught him on a good (bad?) day :bigrin:

David, I've no wish to get into product endorsement. At some point it would be nice to get an original style wheel in 15" and will keep looking at the various options.

Thanks for all the work you do to keep us aware of what is out there.

Geoff
S2 FHC Light Blue
S2 OTS LHD - RHD full restoration

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mgcjag
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#5 Re: Reproduction Steering Wheels

Post by mgcjag » Fri Aug 10, 2018 7:47 am

Re price..note that the boss is included.....Steve
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (just sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc

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Simon P
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#6 Re: Reproduction Steering Wheels

Post by Simon P » Fri Aug 10, 2018 8:13 am

More interesting info:

"the upper edge of the right and left spokes on original wheels are not completely horizontal and this was a Jaguar design to counteract the illusion created by the tapering spokes and the need for the upper spokes to appear horizontal giving the symmetrical ‘T’ configuration. It’s only a matter of a few degrees but it is important and not difficult to train the eye to detect it"
1969 S2 FHC - 1R20258
1993 Lancia Delta HF integrale Evo II

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