TheSamba.com :: View topic - Rare SA VW steering wheel

Tue Nov 18, 2008 1:15 pm

A while ago I have found a steering wheel at a local swop meet, for my buggy project. These steering wheels were fitted in South Africa to the so-called special edition 'SP' Beetles, and were also available as an option for some of the early Golfs. It is a steel 3-spoke with the VW logo stamped on the bottom spoke. Were they fitted to European or US VWs as well, and if so what were they called?

As you can see below, the steering wheel was not in a very good condition,

So I stripped it, and had the metal part chromed and re-covered. Got it back yesterday, and I am very happy with the end result!

Tue Nov 18, 2008 2:43 pm

wow, good work!

Si

Tue Nov 18, 2008 4:53 pm

That wheel came on the 1973 Sports Bug, and I believe was also offered as a dealer installed option.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:55 am

In germany and austria the wheel was part of the limited yellow-black racer edition. Like the fancy sports seats the wheel was afterwards an official VW option.

http://www.gelb-schwarzer-renner.com/index.html
Btw these south african tail lights adapters are the ugliest thing VW ever made for beetles :)

Wed Nov 19, 2008 7:52 am

kdf-wagen wrote: Btw these south african tail lights adapters are the ugliest thing VW ever made for beetles :)

You got that right! (No offence taken)

Thanks for the info, guys :wink:

Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:39 am

How did you re-cover it?

I had one of these that needed this done.

Nice work....

- Joe

Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:40 am

Type 5 Joe wrote: How did you re-cover it?

I had one of these that needed this done.

Nice work....

- Joe
I'd like to know also.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:26 am

There is a company called Speedline here in Johannesburg that re-cover steering wheels, they did it for me. A thick nylon rope was glued and wound around the grip part, it was then covered by sponge and vinyl, the latter being hand-stitched

:arrow: http://home.intekom.com/speedline/

Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:49 am

Cool,

It looks like they do a very nice job....

How much did this cost?

Do you think this would be a secure business to have work shipped to and from the USA?

Thanks, - Joe

Wed Nov 19, 2008 12:13 pm

They're a bit on the steep side - about the equivalent of US$70, but the crafmanship is excellent. They've been around for quite some time, I am sure you can contact them for international business anytime!

Wed Nov 19, 2008 3:13 pm

I kinda dig those taillight adaptors. What can I say. I'm a sucker for the stuff we couldn't get here in the US. 8)

Thu Nov 20, 2008 3:30 am

Perfect work, very good...