Aftermarket Steering Wheel for Late Models

[Jlintvet]

Am thinking about buying an aftermarket steering wheel for my 65 CORSA. I would like to hear from those that have installed a smaller wheel, the brand and style, and how it affected driving characteristics? Thanks in advance for your time and info.

[bbodie52]

Welcome to the Corvair Forum!

The following link may answer some of your questions...

Steering wheels, columns, and boxes.

http://autoxer.skiblack.com/steering.html

As the above website states, "1960 to '63, '67 to '69, and all Forward Control vehicles use the common Chevy steering wheel spline that was used during the '60s and beyond".


http://www.grantproducts.com/
You can have a custom steering wheel in your 1965 Corsa. You just have to buy an adapter from a different source to fit your Grant custom wheel to your Corvair.

Hub adapters for 1964 and 1965-66 Corvairs

http://wireset.com/products.aspx

The polished Aluminum adapters are two and a half inches tall, eliminating the need for spacers or adapters. They have the correct five-bolt pattern that allows the Grant Signature series wheel to bolt directly on. The hub-centric mounting assures a tight fit, and the adapter comes complete with a black horn button and wiring feed. Included, for the 1965-66 model, is a new plastic turn signal cancelling cam. The cam replaces the stock part which is no longer available. For the 1964 model, you can remove the original cam and re-install it on this adapter. These are a gorgeous piece of work, all made in the USA. The adapters allows you to choose from lots of different wheels, and makes the installation a breeze. The price for the adapter, including the cancelling cam and black horn button is $92.

The 1964-66 Corvair models use a special small Corvair-only spline for the steering shaft. The only other steering wheel adapter currently available is a remake of the original Grant/Superior Industries adapter from the 1960 There are a few drawbacks to the older adapter. Out of the box, it only fits the older style Grant wheels, including their Nostalgia series wheels. In order to make it usable with the more modern 5 or 6 bolt wheels, even Grant s, extra adapters must be used and aligned to adapt the newer models. It is also very short, which requires either longer arms for the driver or adapter spacers (much preferred). was seeking a more modern adapter for the very popular 65-66 Corvairs. It took a year of working together on these parts but they are now available. If you already have a Grant Signature Series wheel, this is all you would need. If you have a six-bolt wheel, such as a MOMO or a GM "Wood" Wheel, we now have the adapter available to fit these wheels and Grant now makes a very nice replica of the factory wheel. If you want to check out the selection of Grant wheels, look at their web site at http://www.grantproducts.com For pricing, you can always check http://www.summitracing.com or your local speed shop. I also sell the Grant wheels so check with me before you buy.

Seth Emerson
Silicone Wire Systems
3462 Kirkwood Dr.
San Jose, 95117-1549
E-Mail to: sethracer@aol.com
(408) 247-2237

Although I haven't installed it yet, I purchased a Grant wheel like the one below for my Corsa convertible. It has flatter spokes and a slightly smaller diameter, so it will permit a little more belly room too, which I can use!

[ormston]

My purchase was from an eBay store "forever sharp" I believe, they were super easy to deal with and everything came packed super well.

Was pretty affordable too if I remember. The only negative, is that the wheel lines up EXACTLY in front of my Speedometer so i have to "look around" to see how fast I am going, thankfully, I never care, I just giver!

Pics:

[JasonC]

I went the nostalgic route on mine. Wheel is a 15" Mooneyes California Metal Flake Steering Wheel with an adapter from Clarks. The cover on the adapter had to be shaved down cause it hit the steering column.. Plus the wheel sits a lot closer to the dash so the turn signal lever had to be bent a tad cause it was close to the wheel. But other then that I like the wheel. The car now feels like your driving a go-cart!

[Scott H]

I went with a billet wheel I bought from eBay in my old '65.