A car's steering wheel is the device through which we feel every nuance of the road and guide the car through the corners - it is arguably the most valuable control in a car. And it's no good having one you don't like to touch!
Imagine threading your modified street car along a windy open road on a hot afternoon but all you've got in your hands is a doggie plastic steering wheel that offers as much grip as an old retread. Your palms get sticky whenever they touch the sweating plastic wheel, and it slides through your grip like a soap stick in the shower. That's not the sort of thing we enthusiasts enjoy.
And as the Sparco catalogue puts it, "The thrill of sports racing is transmitted through the steering wheel..."
For a lot of us, our OEM steering wheels are usually pretty utilitarian - they do nothing more than serve the basic steering purpose, and are usually a manufacturer's cost cutting exercise. But if you want genuine high-performance and good looks, you'll certainly find it in the aftermarket industry.
Here's our pick of the various types of tillers on the market:
Keen Lookin' Steering Wheels...
Sophisticated Timber Styles
Nardi Classico - Available with either satin or polished spokes. Diameter: 330/360/390mm
Nardi Anni '60 - Modern replica of Ferrari GTO wheel. Diameter: 380mm
Nardi Gara 4/4 W/W" - Mahogany/ mahogany pad. Diameter: 365mm
Nardi Gara 3/3 W/W" - Mahogany/ mahogany pad. Diameter: 365mm
Personal Monza W - Available with polished or black spokes. Diameter: 365mm
Momo Astra Presige - Large expanses of timber of the finest quality. Diameter: 380mm
Momo Trofeo - An extremely elegant wheel with modern design influences. Diameter: 370mm
SAAS EX4CW - Hand crafted and very stylish. Diameter: 356mm
Nice-To-Touch Leather Wheels
Nardi Evolution 3 - Black leather/anthracite-tinted centre pad with black perforated leather. Diameter: 365mm
Nardi Z5 - Black leather/anthracite-tinted PU pads and black nylon ring, leather on finger rests. Diameter: 365mm
Nardi Gara ¾" - Black leather with anthracite-tinted PU pad and black nylon ring. Diameter: 365mm
Personal Blitz RV - A nice clean look and very practical. Diameter: 350mm
Personal Sprint 3 - Unique centre section styling make this a top looking wheel. Diameter: 365mm
Momo Color - Great for loud interiors, available in yellow red or blue. Diameter: 350mm
Momo Top Power - Available with yellow red or grey leather inserts. Diameter: 300/ 350mm
Momo Speed/Evolution 4 - A fairly bulky wheel but nicely styled. Diameter: 365mm
Momo Daytona 3 Carbon - A great ultra-modern rounded style. Diameter: 365mm
Selm Imola - Very good quality and a practical, appealing design. Diameter: 380mm
Hybrids
Momo Exclusive - Perfect for a classy car. Diameter: 360/380mm
Momo Fighter Leather/Wood - Sporty looking and nicely proportioned. Diameter: 350mm
A Couple of Grippy Suede Items...
Personal Grinta Suede - Available in red or black suede. Diameter: 330/350mm
Sparco Lap (black) - Comes with either a black or blue anodised centre. Diameter: 350mm
Moving On To All-Out Competition Tillers
Sparco Extreme (flat top and bottom/buttons) - Derived from racing experience available in black leather, red suede or black suede. Diameter: 350mm
Sparco Monza (orientation line) - Available in suede or leather in grey black and red. Diameter: 350mm
Sparco Racer (buttons) - Available in black leather and red, black, blue alcantara. Anodised centre also available with black alcantara rim. Diameter: 350mm
Sparco Speed (orientation line) - Available in black leather, black suede or red suede. Diameter: 350mm
Nardi Gara Sport (flat bottom) - Black, red, yellow or blue suede or leather with black nylon ring. Diameter: 350mm
Momo Corse Mod. 12/c (open top and flat bottom) - definitely a competition wheel! Diameter: 250mm
Momo Corse Mod. 26 (no provisions for any horn button) - Very sparse, so it's quite cheap. Diameter: 250/260/270/280/290mm
Wheel Info
Flat Top/Bottomed and Open Top Wheels
These were designed for the tight confines of an open-wheel racecar that might only have half a turn from lock-to-lock. The flat bottom gave extra space above the driver's legs, while we're not completely sure on the reasoning behind open-top steering wheels. Perhaps the lower overall height enables better aerodynamics as it doesn't protrude as far out of the cockpit?
Regardless - they are not entirely practical for road use.
Orientation Line
First of all no-one has been able to tell us the proper name for this little touch, so "orientation line" is what we guess it might be called...
Often in rallying where the driver is applying lots of opposite lock steering, a small brightly-coloured ring can be found in the centre of the top half of the wheel. Seeing this without having to focus on the wheel helps the driver to work out where the front wheels are pointing should he (or she) forget in the heat of the moment.
Steering Wheel Buttons
Sparco offer their optional Racing Control Kit that comprises either one or two buttons compatible with all Sparco wheels. These are generally intended to operate the horn, but can be easily wired to control any other device in the car. Sparcos are available in black-anodised or natural-aluminum finishes. Its common hole pattern also means they are compatible with various other brand steering wheels. Momo's F1 concept is very similar, offering a single button located in the steering wheel's centre plate. It is suitable for several Momo wheels and comes in black, aluminium and carbon look.
Interchangeable Rings and Centre Horn Buttons
Sparco offers interchangeable horn surrounds (rings) that come in a variety of different colours and finishes. These, like their Racing Control Kit are interchangeable with other steering wheels on the market. Momo have available a black/silver centre horn button and also a yellow one which has a Corse logo.
Boss/Hub Kits/Adaptors
The fitment of an aftermarket steering wheel onto most car's columns requires the use of a 'boss kit' to mate the wheel to the steering shaft. These also act as an extension to adjust the wheel reach. The wiring for the horn usually passes through here too. It is important that these are good quality because in the event of an accident they must be able to withstand a certain amount of force (usually emanating from the driver's chest!). When pricing a wheel always make sure that you are being quoted a price that includes the boss.
Wheel Fitment Considerations
Make sure the diameter and location of the new wheel won't block vision to gauges once it is installed - and while you're at it, ensure there will be adequate access to stalk controls. Consider the wheel's new location in relation to the driver - will it cause discomfort by being too close to the driver with the new boss kit? If so choose another wheel.
Find out whether the diameter of the new wheel is legal (ie not too small) - preferably before you buy it! There is a good reason for this restriction on steering wheel diameter, and that is reduced leverage. With the reduced leverage created by a smaller diameter steering wheel, make sure you (and any other drivers of the car) have enough strength to safely manage a swerve-and-recover manoeuvre.
Lastly and pretty obviously, make sure you choose the appropriate style of wheel for your application - an open top and flat bottom wheel on a road car isn't really such a bright idea...
Airbag Equipped Cars...
It appears every country has laws preventing the permanent removal of any airbag steering wheel. You cannot therefore pull the big steering wheel on your new top-of-the-line BMW and replace it with a nice bare spoke Momo. Any company fitting a conventional aftermarket wheel to a car originally equipped with an airbag is in violation of local Government laws.
Happy shopping - I hope we steered you in the right direction!
Contacts:
Sparco - Eurotech, Adelaide
+61 8 8359 5660
Personal/Nardi - Carisma, Sydney
+61 2 9905 8088
Momo - Autosport, Adelaide
+61 8 8332 8811
SAAS Manufacturing Co., Melbourne
+61 3 9580 8192
Web Sites:
Momo Homepage
http://www.momo.it
Sports Car Accessories
http://www.sportscar-parts.com/
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