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Projects How to date a Superior steering wheel

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by 1oldtimer, Jun 25, 2018.

  1. I have a wood wheel that's 15.5" dia with a 4" drop, has a thumb groove and doesn't look to be chrome (like a satin?).

    Is there a way to get a date or at least an era.......Also post up what you have with pics.

    wood superior 500-1.jpg wood superior 500-2.jpg wood superior 500-3.jpg wood superior 500-4.jpg
     
    dana barlow, Deuces and chryslerfan55 like this.
  2. I see different thicknesses in the grip area (on wood and non wood wheels), 3 holes vs 4 holes, almost all the wood wheels I've seen have rivets. A technical breakdown of eras would be great.

    This thread is for ALL superior wheels.
     
    dana barlow likes this.
  3. Watching! I love superior wheels!
     
  4. rudestude
    Joined: Mar 23, 2016
    Posts: 3,048

    rudestude
    Member

    Superior was bought out by Grant in the 80's and Grant continued to produce there wheels including the "500" with minor differences the number of holes in the spokes of the SPP(Superior) wheels had 4 holes and Grant makes them with 3 holes and when Grant took over ,the SPP logo and the flying man stamp was replaced with the Grants logo...that's what I found when I did a search.......

    Sent from my QTASUN1 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     

  5. catdad49
    Joined: Sep 25, 2005
    Posts: 6,422

    catdad49
    Member

    Have two of these, both mine are riveted. I don't know how old they are except that I've had them forever. I remember a write-up of how to remove and refinish the wood (that was a long time ago). Sorry, that's all I got, good luck.
     
  6. i have never tried to date a steering wheel but i would assume that buying it some flowers or a flashy horn button would be good way to pique the interest and let it know you are a serious suitor...…..
    Chappy
     
  7. The 3 hole wheel was a Cal Custom trademark ( not registered). I have never seen an early Superior wheel (pre Grant) with 3 holes. The only superior wheels I have seen that I remember with the thumb groove were early wheels. That is probably little help and it is just my experience as memory serves but there you have it.
     
  8. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 56,086

    squirrel
    Member

    a little from the internet....apparently they were making wood wheels before ZIP codes came along.

    superior 500 ad.jpg
     
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  9. dreracecar
    Joined: Aug 27, 2009
    Posts: 3,476

    dreracecar
    Member
    from so-cal

    1) Dress nicely
    2) Open the car door for them
    3) Nice dinner at a fancy restuarant
    4) A kiss goodnight
    5) Never call them again
     
  10. I was waiting for that......hmm, I thought it would be sooner :).
     
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  11. I don't know about dates but I had one of the walnut wheels on an old 61 chevy pickup once. No matter how I cleaned it,[I even used lacquer thinner!] it was sticky in damp weather and always left some kinda black goo on my hands.
     
  12. Hnstray
    Joined: Aug 23, 2009
    Posts: 12,355

    Hnstray
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Quincy, IL

    I did a post early on in the thread, then deleted it because it was just too easy :D

    Ray
     
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  13. Paaa rump rump Any good comedian will take it anyway they can get it.
     
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  14. Harland grunder
    Joined: Aug 11, 2016
    Posts: 77

    Harland grunder

  15. scrap metal 48
    Joined: Sep 6, 2009
    Posts: 6,079

    scrap metal 48
    Member

    I bought that exact wheel new in 1966 for my 57 Chevy.. In 1969, I had to glue the halves back together to sell the 57....
     
  16. Was it supposed to be satin or was it chrome?, there's no shiny spot on mine at all which leads me to think it came with a satin finish.
     
  17. scrap metal 48
    Joined: Sep 6, 2009
    Posts: 6,079

    scrap metal 48
    Member

    Mine was shiny chrome.. I don't remember any satin finish wheels at that time...
     
  18. Phil P
    Joined: Jan 1, 2018
    Posts: 495

    Phil P
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    In the Internet age you would both agree to meet at a coffee shop were no one knew you in case it doesn't turn out.
     
  19. Tre
    Joined: Jan 1, 2024
    Posts: 4

    Tre

    So I found this wheel in 2016 in a landfill.
    I know absolutely nothing about it, but everything I search leads me here, can anyone help me with ANY information on this wheel? PXL_20240101_191255073.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

  20. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 17,446

    Squablow
    Member

    I have a collection of Superior 500 steering wheels, and I have one identical to yours hanging on my wall. Same wood grip, same depth and hole spacing. Since these wheels didn't have any kind of date code on it, this one (along with mine) could have been made anywhere from the early 60's up until the early 80's before Grant bought them out. These were very popular in custom vans and in muscle car era vehicles as a "day 2" type upgrade, I would guess yours and mine both were likely made in the 1970's.
     
  21. Tre
    Joined: Jan 1, 2024
    Posts: 4

    Tre

    So would it have any sort of value attached to it? I've got nothing to put it in that would mean anything worth while. I've tried locally but I might as well just put it on eBay
     
  22. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 31,164

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    depends on the condition. I never considered the wood wheels to be as valuable as the vinyl rimmed ones. I see them at swap meets for 25-75 bucks
     
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  23. Tre
    Joined: Jan 1, 2024
    Posts: 4

    Tre

    It's in decent enough condition, the wood isn't cracked or anything crazy like that. Has a little bit of glue on the wood, and some rust pitting in the center, I tried cleaning up the loose top coat with a soft cloth and most came off without much effort. It's definitely not perfect but would be a great wheel for something of the era
     
  24. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 31,164

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

  25. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 17,446

    Squablow
    Member

    That one's pretty clean, I think you could get $75 for it, either here or on eBay or wherever you decide to list it. There's a flat version of this same wheel that brings a lot more, this type with the dish is more common (and less popular in sports car applications) so they don't bring as much. Still, a good save from the landfill, it'll net you a few bucks and help out someone else's project, which is good for the hobby.
     
    Tre likes this.
  26. bill gruendeman
    Joined: Jun 18, 2019
    Posts: 833

    bill gruendeman
    Member

    Zip codes came a long in 63 I believe
     
  27. Tre
    Joined: Jan 1, 2024
    Posts: 4

    Tre


    I will keep this in mind, thank you. I saw the last date on the forum and wasn't sure if I'd be waiting very long, glad to see it is still active!
     
  28. Tow Truck Tom
    Joined: Jul 3, 2018
    Posts: 1,946

    Tow Truck Tom
    Member
    from Clayton DE

    For the record I had the good fortune of parlaying a '58 Nomad ( 225hp, turbo trans ) into a tour of Europe in the Summer of '71. ( May-Sept )
    The few addresses That I took with me never received my cards using Postal Zoned addresses.
    To my disappointment, I learned of the new system of ZIP codes
    :confused:
     
    Last edited: Jan 2, 2024

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