GT6 Mk2 Steering wheel + Shifter assembly wanted

[avivalasvegas]

I'm looking for the original GT6 MK2 steering wheel to replace my wooden steering which I will happily trade, as I try to bring the car back to original spec. Also looking for the shifter handle + knob to revert mine back to stock. 

Any leads would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Dick Twitchen]

Not a Mk1, they look like this and the last time there was one for sale it was an eye watering price (nearly £200 if I recall correctly).

Dick

[Clive]

6 hours ago, avivalasvegas said:

I believe this steering wheel was fitted to earlier GT6 models? I'm looking for one to replace my wooden steering which I will happily trade, as I try to bring the car back to original spec. 

That wheel 2 litre and mk2 vitesse, plus mk3 spitfire. (vitesse had leather cover IIRC, spit not, but that could just be my memory playing tricks)

Dick has it spot on for the gt6 MK1. £200 will buy a usable one, once you have found any for sale. Beware, MK1 PI saloon is very similar looking. There is a dealer option Les Leston wheel, but that really will blow the budget.

MK2 GT6 had this style, not sure if throughout the entire production run. Shared with mkIV spitfire, some TR6. I think I have a reasonable one in the loft...

 

[NonMember]

As Clive says, that first photo is a pre-facelift Mk3 Spitfire wheel. The Vitesse wheel is the same but with a leather cover on the rim.

Clive's Mk2 GT6 photo is the style of wheel fitted to post-facelift Mk3 Spitfires, and Mk4 - I'm also not sure whether the GT6 had that style all through the MK2 production.

[avivalasvegas]

The Les Leston wheel looks awfully similar to what I already have on the car. Shame, I really liked the look of that Mk3 spitfire wheel!

[Mark B]

I thought the mk2 gt6 had plastic covers over the spokes or did I dream it?

[NonMember]

1 hour ago, Mark B said:

I thought the mk2 gt6 had plastic covers over the spokes or did I dream it?

I think I saw that somewhere, too. Indeed having checked the book of motoring press article reprints, you're right. So the wheel Clive showed is a Mk3 wheel - possibly also on facelift Mk2 (1970 model)

[Gully]

The wheel Clive pictured was used in the Mk 2 GT6 from commission no. KC75031 onwards and then into the Mk 3, although it would have had the Triumph shield in the centre originally on the horn push.

Gully

[Paul H]

This wheel came with spares for my Vitesse mk2 which from the above should have been leather covered ? If so can you still buy the covering 

 

 

 

Paul 

[johny]

This wheel of Paul's is what Ive got on my Mk1 Vitesse but with a leather cover however its obviously not the same as the one in Mr Vegas' initial picture. I thought his with the spokes not being centred on the hub was from an earlier TR4 or something?

[NonMember]

1 hour ago, johny said:

I thought his with the spokes not being centred on the hub was from an earlier TR4 or something?

Ooh, good point! Although the hub looks too small for a TR4

[Colin Lindsay]

TR3 or 4(?) steering wheel, looks the same as the one in the top photo:

The GT6 / Spitfire version, not the standard factory fitment for the GT6, is 15" and dished quite substantially, and looks to be the same as Paul's:

 

 

[Peter Truman]

I assume in the UK there are people who recover steering wheels ,my Dolly Sprint has been done professionally in thin leather by a chap here in Melb who came and gave a talk/presentation to my previous club. What a great job it is too retains the original look and feel ie it’s also the thin rim feel it’s stitched on and very tidy where it goes over the spokes.

ref the aftermarket lace on leather covers I think we all put them on in the 60/70’s they provided a thicker wheel and if you were careful you could get a good fit BUT they could be loose and twist on the wheel I think they cost around a fiver , I see there up around 50 nowadays I presume there the same quality with the same tightness issues.

I reverted the Mk2 Vitesse back to the original the leather has scuffed up over 50 years but still sound, any ideas how to clean up and refinish it.

[Colin Lindsay]

31 minutes ago, Peter Truman said:

I assume in the UK there are people who recover steering wheels ,my Dolly Sprint has been done professionally in thin leather by a chap here in Melb who came and gave a talk/presentation to my previous club. What a great job it is too retains the original look and feel ie it’s also the thin rim feel it’s stitched on and very tidy where it goes over the spokes.

ref the aftermarket lace on leather covers I think we all put them on in the 60/70’s they provided a thicker wheel and if you were careful you could get a good fit BUT they could be loose and twist on the wheel I think they cost around a fiver , I see there up around 50 nowadays I presume there the same quality with the same tightness issues.

I reverted the Mk2 Vitesse back to the original the leather has scuffed up over 50 years but still sound, any ideas how to clean up and refinish it.

You could go to a local upholsterer, who will recover the wheel for a lot less than a retrimmer (at least mine do!)

I have a leather cover on my Herald wheel, but it's bound round with leather thongs so won't budge before doomsday.

[PeteH]

10 hours ago, Colin Lindsay said:

You could go to a local upholsterer, who will recover the wheel for a lot less than a retrimmer (at least mine do!)

I have a leather cover on my Herald wheel, but it's bound round with leather thongs so won't budge before doomsday.

Google, pulls up dozens of (steering wheel) cover suppliers for just a few quid, many claiming to be "genuine" not P-U leather. An hour or two and a bit of patience, I doubt if anyone would see the difference?.

Pete

[Paul H]

Any chance of a pic of how the leather covering looks on the steering wheel for the Vitesse mk2 ?

Paul 

[Colin Lindsay]

Didn't find any Vitesse photos but this TR4 version one is close:

 

[Gary Flinn]

The offset spoke type wheel was I believe fitted to early 2 Litre Mk1 Vitesse's, TR4's and possibly 4a's with a leather cover?

All Mk2 Vitesse models and most of the later Mk1 2 Litres had a similar Leather covered sprung spoke wheel but with the spokes centred on the boss.

I reckon Mk3 Spitfires had the the same sprung wheel, again with centered spokes but no leather cover.

The earlier GT6 Mk2 wheel was similar if not exactly the same as a TR5 wheel with the Moulded Covers over the spokes, for the American crash laws of the time.    

All wheels 15" diameter as standard, but the MK2 Vitesse parts book lists a 16" Option and the Wooden or Leather 3 spoke 15" Formula Style Wheels available to all models, again as an option.

The Wooden Formula style look great but aren't that comfy to use in my opinion.

 

[Gary Flinn]

TR5 Steering Wheel for comparison. 

[Peter Truman]

Someone asked so here are some pic's of my original early Vitesse Mk2 Steering Wheel as still fitted to the car after 52 years.

Stitching still good but how do I tidy up the damage to the leather at the top its minor but a little roughi

[Paul H]

Looking on flea bay there are pu type covers for £5 to £9 . This leather cover looks period though more expensive 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FOR-TRIUMPH-VITESSE-BLACK-TOP-QUALITY-ITALIAN-LEATHER-STEERING-WHEEL-COVER-NEW/260882585746?

Paul

[Andrew]

I have a Vitesse/ herald leather covered wheel for sale if of any interest to anyone.

 

regards

Andrew

[avivalasvegas]

Still on the lookout for the steering + shifter. Thanks in advance for any leads! 

[thescrapman]

Should the gearknob just be the black rubberised ball?

with or without white lettering?

 

 

[Clive]

16 minutes ago, thescrapman said:

Should the gearknob just be the black rubberised ball?

with or without white lettering?

 

 

yes, with lettering i believe on the 6 cylinder cars. (I think)