Extended Hub Steering Wheel Questions

[Bullethead]

After seaching previous threads regarding extended hub wheels, I still have a couple of questions and hope someone can help:

Were aluminum wheels early, steel later? What model year did this change if so? According to the accessories booklet,
it appears leather-wrapped wheels are steel only. Is this correct?

I have an early (though undated) wood extended hub, is this for 912 as well as 911, and what does the "1959" stamp mean?

Finally, does anyone know of a source for the longer horn contact required?
Thanks for any assistance!

[boxster03]

you can find them here

www.sierramadrecollection.com

[orange911]

Has anyone ever used this from the same source:
http://www.sierramadrecollection.com..._detail&p=1602

I would like to add the extension for my 380mm, but I would like to know what is involved and if this will work for a 911 (cancel ring being different than a 914).

[boxster03]

Yes I purchased one and it was Original Equipment and worked perfectly.

[Cornpanzer]

Stoddard sells the extra long contact as well.

[mcampuzano]

The one pictured before only fits a 914, you need it custom made, or buy it from Zuffenhaus: http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...ad.php?t=25159

You will need this insert: http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...ad.php?t=19255

And the 73mm 914 horn contact, which has the correct length, part No. 914.347.832.00

[kenikh]

My early MY66 car had an extended wood wheel on the kardex (October '65 build) and had departed the car prior to my owning it. Fortunately, I found a pefect one and that is what the car has now. My wheel has steel spokes - I have never seen an extended hub wheel with aluminum spokes.

I bought my extended contact from Stoddard.

[Bullethead]

Thanks for the input regarding the horn contact guys, anyone know what the numbering means? Production? Are these pre-'66?

Thanks also to Kenikh... interesting that your MY66 wood wheel is steel. The one pictured is alloy (including the extension) and is incredibly light.
My understanding is that these alloy wheels flexed too much, cracking the wood, so steel versions replaced them. Anyone know when that change occured?

[kenikh]

I seem to recall a thread here that had a pretty good guess, but don't recall. I think it was likely posted by Soterik.

My understanding is that the real reason the spokes were changed from aluminum to steel was safety. Apparently after some pretty ugly incidents involving snapped spokes nearly severing some hands in accidents, Porsche changed to steel to ensure there weren't any bleed outs in crashes.

[1st]

[QUOTE - I have never seen an extended hub wheel with aluminum spokes.QUOTE]

Kenik,

FYI my original and unmolested early '65 901 has it's original equipment extened hub alloy wheel.

It had "flexed" and at some point it has had some re-inforcing affixed to the spokes. But it is original given the car's provenance- so one could order them early in the '65 911 build.

I didn't realise it apparently is "rare".

Cheers

Stew.