How to tell an original Rosewood steering wheel?

[Fast67VelleN2O]

I have seen different types of Rosewood wheels. Some almost a bright orange, and others more of a dark red. Which are original? Anyone have pics of an original? I recently picked a wheel up on a truck column and it has a Rosewood wheel on it and I am trying to find out if it is an original or not.

-Matt

[allcamaro]

A NOS original.

http://www.fototime.com/B625D7171F775A0/standard.jpg

[allcamaro]

This is a repo that has been lightly sanded and cleared to look more original.

http://www.fototime.com/CE23E3A67F64DC7/standard.jpg

[allcamaro]

This is an excellent original that has the more of an orange look.

http://www.fototime.com/7D508E9E5757A84/standard.jpg

[allcamaro]

The best way to tell the repo is they crack very quickly. I had a customer buy one and it was in the package cracked in less than a year. I hope that problem has been fixed. Original or not a rosewood looks sweet on most any car.

[Fast67VelleN2O]

Here are some pictures of the wheel that I have. It has 2 small cracks.


http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo175/fast67vellen2o/DSC02575.jpg

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo175/fast67vellen2o/DSC02576.jpg

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo175/fast67vellen2o/DSC02577.jpg


http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo175/fast67vellen2o/DSC02578.jpg
http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo175/fast67vellen2o/DSC02579.jpg

[allcamaro]

Looking at the way its is spot welded I say repo. You can also see where the NOS one has been machine buffed at the ends where it is attached to the grip, like they were removing excess material.

[Fast67VelleN2O]

I thought it was a reproduction as well due to the spot welds as none of the comfort grip wheels that I have seen have two distinct spot welds.
Thanks for your help

-Matt