I’ve always liked the look of classic wood steering wheels, but until this summer, I never realized how much of a life saver one could be. Years from now, I’m going to look back on this summer as the year I drove the wheels off my ’68 Chevelle. I love this car so much because it’s reliable as a hammer. It starts and runs perfectly every time I turn the key, it gets stares and compliments everywhere I drive it, and I’m totally fine with parking it anywhere, thanks to some serious body and paint flaws.
This summer has turned out to be a scorcher, yet even without A/C, I regularly drive the Chevelle. One thing that makes that decision easy is the Grant Classic Nostalgia steering wheel (part No. 967, $105.95 from Summit). Before this summer, I never realized what a great design it is. This walnut wheel is always cool to the touch, even on days topping the 110 degree mark. For some reason, wood is much cooler than plastic or leather, and way cooler that billet. For that matter, wood is warm and smooth in cold weather too.
But I also like some of the touches Grant has done to this wheel beyond what traditional wood wheels have. For one thing, all the metal rivets are recessed into the wood. I never knew why, until this summer. By recessing them, you don’t feel how hot they are in the sun. The wooden part of the wheel also sandwiches the metal base ring. This metal layer is also recessed into the wood so you don’t feel it when you grab it. All this care means that you can grab the wheel without getting third-degree burns, something that I can’t say for my new Mustang with a leather-wrapped wheel.
I like the Classic Grant wheel in my Chevelle so much, I don’t think I’ll ever consider anything else except wood for a real street car that I plan to drive.
Source:
Grant Products
800-952-6947
www.grantproducts.com