As some of you may or may not know, I am avid woodworker. However, when I left for Iraq I stored all my tools. It will be awhile before I get my shop set back up.

Meanwhile, I am having a friend make me a new steering wheel for my 1911 through 2005 chevy corvette convertible hardtop sedan roadster.

It's about done and I am curious as to what finish would be approbriate for a 1926-28 chevy roadster.

I read that they were stained with walnut but don't recall reading about any protective covering (polyureathane for example). That's probably a given.

The pics I've seen show either a clear finish or a finish that appears to be walnut.

Can anyone shed some light on this subject?

Steering wheels were painted black prior to 1928. The 1928 wheel is natural finish. There is no information available as to any finish on the natural wood wheel.

Would they use just a natural oil on the wheel like Tung oil back then Ray?

Naw, Gator, they used palm oil, not tongue oil.;-)

George

Good one...George,

I have been sent to the books on the steering wheels.
The following information is extracted from the Dealers Albums for each year.
1925: 16” steering wheel. No information on the finish.
1926: 16” steering wheel. No information on the finish.
1927: 16” steering wheel. No information on the finish.
1928: 17” steering wheel. Finished in brown and equipped with rubber grips.

From a newspaper article on the changes implemented on the 1925 mid year model is the following statement: A walnut finish steering wheel with notched finger grips on the inner diameter replaces the former mahogany type.

Very interesting!

Ray,

For some time now, Walt D and I have had this discussion about the color of 1928 steering wheels. Both of us have this believe, based upon having viewed several wheels with the center aluminum covers removed, that they were originally painted Brown as you just noted. Neither of us have any official documentation on the subject.

On my current 1928 restoration project, which hasn't cleared the garage yet, I painted the steering wheel hub and spokes Brown and finished the rim natural (still searching for the brown covers). Since everything you see out there seems to have been painted Black, I concerned that the VCCA judges will deduct points for the Brown color. They're going to get me one way or the other because my '28 Roadster steering wheel is painted Black with a natural finish on the rim.

Could you post a portion of the documentation you have showing the vital information on this site so I might download it for my records? I would appreciate it.

It will be my pleasure. You can print this off and file with your car papers.

The reference is from the page labeled "Specifications", (pg-2), CHEVROLET Sales Data, (A Hand Book of Sales Information for Chevrolet Salesmen) 1928. You will note that the page is noted 2-Specifications 1-28 (January 1928) This is the Mother Lode of information on the 1928 Chevrolet.

Thanks Ray, I appreciate your effort. I printed the complete thread up to this point and it will become part of my carry along documentation for the car. Now if the judges will only ask.

Interesting...I wonder why the word "Brown" has a capital 'B' like it is a proper name???

Everywhere else that I can see on this page proper English grammar rules are followed by Chevrolet; so why the capital letter 'B'? Could it be the proper name of a paint or ?.

All colors are listed with a capital letter on all Chevrolet Duco Specifications. Why? Your guess is as good as mine.

Thanks Ray, non-mystery solved.

Regarding the steering wheel on my '27 AA Coach, it appears original. The wood is natural, but of a type that could be walnut, since it is a darker shade. It does not ever appear to have been painted brown or black, and is quite attractive as is.

Somewhere, in addition of Ray's posting, I read that the steering wheel was finished in a walnut finish, I expect it may not be walnut wood, if they use the same terminology as used with gun stocks.
I have yet to find any steering wheel material as attractive in appearance as the old natural wood rimmed wheels with the covered spokes, the aluminum hub and the black horn button.