Which one is the correct steering wheel?

[CoastalBug]

My '68 came with a steering wheel from a '72 or '73 I believe, so it's one of the first things I'd like to change out. I'm just unsure as to which style would be the correct one. I've seen many peoples 1968's with the horn ring, and without the horn ring. Was there a determining factor when these were built? Mine was built in Oct of '67 for the '68 model year in Germany.
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Chris - 1968 Beetle Sedan, a book, and a lot of determination.

[baldessariclan]

You may want to review this thread for further information on which steering wheels were used on what years: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=10175381
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1971 Standard Beetle — fairly stock / driver

baldessariclan -- often in error, never in doubt...

[Bobs67vwagen]

Hey your 68 being a US spec bug came with the black wheel and the horn ring and the black plastic center . The horn ring would have been chrome.

[CoastalBug]

[my3bugs]

here is the 68 owners manual to look over .

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/1968b...ransit.pdf

[OldSchoolVW's]

[Bobs67vwagen]

Or I guess if you wanted to put in the work( it's really not that hard) you could get a 68-71 locking column with key and swap it in so you could put the stock steering wheel back on it.

[OldSchoolVW's]

More steering wheel minutia available here :

https://www.wolfsburgwest.com/wired/wired_04_00/wired_04_00.htm
_________________
Tom

"Following distance is proportional to IQ."

"If you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do." Warren Miller

"Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing." Wernher von Braun

'63 Beetle Sedan
'69 Beetle Sunroof
'70 Beetle Sedan
'73 Type 3 Fastback

[my3bugs]

lots of this info here too .

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

if you want the horn ring this is what to look for

if just the bar look for this

[CoastalBug]

[Bobs67vwagen]

I may be wrong but I think the 72 and newer columns are different and the earlier wheel will not work with the later column. Someone else please weigh in on this to fact check me-thanks Bob

[CoastalBug]

[OldSchoolVW's]

[viiking]

This might help. May not.

Here are the photos of my original (been in the family since new) February 1968 German Euro beetle showing the wheel cancelling ring and the column assemblly. If you blow it up you may be able to count the number of splines etc.

Admittedly it is RHD but that shouldn't be an issue as the wheel and column were just moved from the LHS position to the RHS unmodified. That is, the indicator stalk for us in RHD world is on the wrong side i.e. the same side as the shifter.

I can confirm for certain what others have said. Black steering wheel with chrome D ring.

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1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

[OldSchoolVW's]

In the meantime, you could get one of these. Trust me, neither you nor anyone else will notice the late style steering wheel.

_________________
Tom

"Following distance is proportional to IQ."

"If you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do." Warren Miller

"Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing." Wernher von Braun

'63 Beetle Sedan
'69 Beetle Sunroof
'70 Beetle Sedan
'73 Type 3 Fastback

[Bobs67vwagen]

Wow, I never cared much for steering wheel covers but that fluffy thing could be a game changer. I'll get one and put in on our riding lawn mower for my wife! Good stuff

[OldSchoolVW's]

[CoastalBug]

Hmmm…. Looks like I won’t be able to go back with the original.

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Chris - 1968 Beetle Sedan, a book, and a lot of determination.

[Bobs67vwagen]

Try to get the correct column with a key. You can probably have the existing column out and the replacement installed in about 2 to 3 hours. I have seen them for sale in the samba classifieds. Or if there are any wrecking yards near you there may be a bug in there you could pull one from. 68 to 71 should work. There was a 70 in the pick and pull near me about 1 month ago but it's gone now. Good luck-Bob

[cletus_zuber]

.I think you are getting some bogus information. The splines didn't change until 74. A 72 wheel will fit on your 68 just fine, a 68 wheel will fit on a 72, but it will hit the column mounted wiper switch.
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1972 1302
HPMX 40's & 019