i'm wondering what a guy would have used when he was building a custom before 1955. what would have been the "cool" steering wheel to run in a custom of that day??? i just want to see pics of pre-1955 steering wheels and hear what was "popular" with the custom guys in the days before the shoebox Chevy...
49-50 Merc Acessory Wheel. Definately a favorite of the Barris's. They put these on a LOT opf cars, Jesse Lopez 41 Ford, Matranaga Merc, Hirohata Merc, Alcorn Merc, the list goes on and on. Im sure they bought them at the ford parts counter back in the early 50's. Unfortunately today its not so easy! Wish I had a time machine. They are my absolute favorite kustom accessory (Appletons being my second!). Here mine:
If you go with the cl***ic wheels of the day...Crestliner etc. be prepared to spend big bucks. This probably was never used on high end customs of the day but I like it. A 20 dollar 53 Hudson. I bought it to get the automatic steering mast. The more I looked at the wheel the more I liked it.
Ford Crestliner is 49-50 (maybe 51 too?). That and the 49-51 merc accessory wheel were probably the 2 most popular wheels of the early 50's customs, the merc accessory is seen more, just because of its favor by Barris. Both of these are pricey. Expect to pay around $1000 for a core for either wheel. Fully restored can be much more. My 49-51 Mercury accessory wheel is going in my 47 ford (on a chromed 51 Merc column with auto shift). My next project will have a Crestliner wheel though.
Seeing as I can't afford a Crestiner wheel or a Merc wheel, I picked up a 53 Mercury wheel. I like the wheels with half a horn ring, two spokes, and little or no dish. Thats what I think would fit on a pre-55 kustom if you're on a slight budget. BTW the Crestliner wheel are only 49 and 50 I think. Either of those accesory wheels will easily fetch 800-1K in decent shape.
Here is my $9.99 E-bay Merc accessory wheel.This is going on my 40 Merc along with a chromed dash and column.
Cool Wheel = Check Cool Dash = Check Cool Column = Check Cool Car = Check (I can't wait to see it done)
Back in my Youth I didn't know anyone that could just write a Blank Check and do everything at once, Custom body work, Upholstry, Dress up the Motor so it generally went in stages of Importance. Seeing this done to a stock wheel was quite common. It hasn't changed much for Me even today. The Wizzard
It looks better, and way more solid than the ebay pictures made it look! You lucky devil!!!! By the way, I have a 49-51 merc 3 speed column if you need it (free if you can use it, its very nice)
Tuckers used the same wheel as what came in a '46 Lincoln so that would be cool in my book. I've heard over and over about the '40 Ford wheel but that seems to be more hotrod and less custom. The 46-48 Chevy accessory banjo wheel is still popular with the lowrider guys, that's what I've got for my '46 Stylemaster. (pictured) I'm guessing whatever had the most chrome/flash and fit on whatever column a customizer was using is what was most popular at the time.
It IS way better.They never cleaned it.I rubbed it down with some enamel reducer and steel wool.I'll take that column! Thanks.
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