Questions about 380mm steering wheels

[Cornpanzer]

What would one look for in identifying a desirable 380mm steering wheel to restore. Were they all basically the same? Was there ever one with a 911 part # or did the factory simply use the 914 part number wheels on the RS's? Was the 380mm only on 914/6 and 911? Finally, what is a good restoration candidate worth?
Thanks
Dave

[andyjboy]

They used several different wheels - part numbers all begin with 914 347 .

There were 3 different versions of the 380mm steering wheel as fitted to the 914/4 & 914/6 (hard plastic/leather/imitation leather rim) with 7 different part numbers.

The splines are the same but there are a number of subtle differences between the 400mm & 380mm wheels & modifications are necessary (to most of them) in order to fit the smaller wheel to a 911.

[70SATMan]

Hi Dave,

If you go to guys selling 914/4/6 parts you can find 914/6 wheels which is the way to go. You don't have to mess with the 914 trim and VW turn cancel ring. It'll bolt right on like the 400mm although the dish of the 914/6 wheel is shallower and brings your hands closer to the dash. The part number for a 70-72 914/6 wheel is 914.347.806.10 or 914.347.805.11. Both of those are leather wheels with the soft rubber base. 914/4 wheels will be in the 914.347.090 series with the last two digits different for leather, hard rubber.

If you find a 911 guy selling one he will want $200 to $300 in restorable especially if it's the 805.11 with a 72 date code. "Gotta be a RS wheel right?" Me, I found a guy through a 914 parts board in Canada who sold me a 70 date code 914.347.806.10 for $70 when he knew it was a 914/6 wheel and all it really needs is restitched. I'm making a 914/6 GT wheel for my car.


Cheers

[BHerrmann]

This wheel was on my 73S when I got it, it's 380mm across but
I'm not sure what it is. I'll include a photo of the center with
stamping marks. Any ideas? Stock wheel perhaps?
Bruce

[Cornpanzer]

Cant read the #s Bruce. What does the part # say?

And thanks to everyone else for thier help.
Dave

[BHerrmann]

Dave, best I can tell it reads

73 9 914 347 809 00

The stamps a light so it's a bit hard to make out.
Thanks for any help

Bruce

[beginner]

the dish of the 914/6 wheel is shallower [than 400mm wheel] and brings your hands closer to the dash.

Is that true and if so, what's the difference in depth? Are all RS/RSR/914 wheels like that?

[kentf14]

The 380mm wheel does seem to have a shallower dish. I haven't measured a difference in the angle of the spokes, but you can imagine that if they are the same angle, they would be shorter for the smaller diameter hoop. As a result, the dish ends up a little more shallow and your hands are closer to the dash.

[Allen Henderson]

The 380mm wheel does seem to have a shallower dish. I haven't measured a difference in the angle of the spokes, but you can imagine that if they are the same angle, they would be shorter for the smaller diameter hoop. As a result, the dish ends up a little more shallow and your hands are closer to the dash.

Wow, amazing how an old old thread got restarted (there is TON of info on these wheels on this site). In any case, I don't believe the 380mm wheel is ANY shallower than a 400mm or even earlier 420mm. It is the small diameter that brings ones fingers closer to the dash. I will, in fact, measure the "depth" of a 380mm and old(er) wheels and report tomorrow. Thanks.

-Allen-