I need a smaller steering wheel for a 55 bird,my legs rub the stock one. I have a leather lecara wheel on now that my legs fit under but it dosen't look right to me in the car,looks to new. Any other period style choices beside grant that would fit the stock column? Thanks.
Chainsaw, If you're using the stock '55 wheel as reference, the '56 wheel is noticably smaller... Todd
Here's the only picture I have handy of my '56 (pre-clean up): They are a little smaller than a factory passenger car wheel also...
Check wheel restoration companies. I have seen some advertising the ability to cut it down and also the horn ring. Will be expensive to rebuild and replate, but possible and keep the original look.
You can weld a smaller rim onto the spokes of your original wheel, or you can weld the hub from your original wheel into a smaller wheel. If you're not the do-it-yourself type then Joe Johnston is right - there are places that will do that sort of thing for you. Might be a bit pricey but if it makes your car more comfortable and keeps it looking good then the car is valuable enough to warrant spending a bit of cash.
The wheel on mine is the same size as his, mine just has the slots instead of the three circles. The 56 wheel still seems real close to the seat.
A stock '55 Thunderbird wheel is a really valuable piece, I wouldn't suggest cutting it down, although that is an option. I'd probably keep the stock one, just set it aside and use a 60's era steering wheel, a '65 Mustang wheel is nice looking, maybe put a Thunderbird emblem in the center to replace the horse.
I had the same problem with my 56. I used a Black and Aluminum Lecarra like that red one and many people have said they think it looks "Right" in the car. Black car with Black & white interior.
I don't know the diameter of the '55, but the '56 can't be much smaller. Even with the seat all the way back it almost rubs. You can use any of the later aftermarket wheels with the LeCarra/Billet Specialties bolt pattern, but LeCarra is the only company I know of that makes an adapter. Mine fits great and the telescope still works. I chopped about 1-1.5" off of my turn signal lever and re-tapped it so it fit the smaller wheel better.
Just in case you don't know the 55 column is shorter than the 56 so that puts any wheel style / choice in a different position when they are both tellascoped all the way in. I still use my stock one, but I got skinny legs!
haha. Me and my dad went to look at a '55 this spring, he couldn't fit behind the wheel.......too bad, the price was unbelievably cheap.......
oops, what I meant to say was the 55 column is longer (not shorter) and then it has the flat wheel as opposed to the 56 and later dished "lifeguard" wheel.
I know this is a VERY OLD post, but could you PLEASE tell me where you found that aftermarket steering wheel for the 55? And any mounting adapters? I am having a bear of a time finding anything out there for the 55. Thanks
There are 56-57 smaller aftermarket wheels for Birds and Full size cars.(over 1,000,000 full size cars assembled.) Sorry no 55’s …too few..no profit.
Grant still lists an adapter for the 55 bird, which means all kinds of 3 bolt wheels will fit. Pick your style and size. I had one on a 55 in 1967. I had a La Carrera on my 55 some years back, they probably still list one. http://www.grantproducts.com/products/application_search/#44/12/288/1 I also had one of these on the 55, Mark 10. I cut the horn ring down to a half hoop, like the origin 55 (this might be the La Carrera I had) https://www.yogisinc.com/YLEC72000?...VSGyzOrCPU1nIxxf-hsurywKex1kchO71lhdlZxn11du4
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