Opinions on repro rosewood steering wheel?

**njsteve** · #1 12-24-2003, 12:31 AM

I'm considering buying one of the reproduction rosewood steering wheels for my 69 Z11. Has anyone had anyone bought one of these repro wheels? Is it close to original or just garbage? Thanks, NJSteve

**allcamaro** · #2 12-24-2003, 02:40 AM

From 10 foot at a glance it looks right,but up close you can tell.I did see one that had been sanded and buffed yes you read it right,that really makes the repo look much closer to original.Why dont you buy a cracked original one and repair it your self because its not that hard to do just some time and a little efford and the savings are great.

**Salvatore** · #3 12-24-2003, 02:52 AM

Depends on how much you want to spend. If your resto. is basically made up of repro. parts then go for the repro. If you have basically an original interior: seats, door panels, headliner, dash parts, etc. go with an original. Leave the original wheel unrestored to match your 33yr. old interior. I have an original interior 69 with a very nice original walnut wheel that I am going to install. They both compliment each other because they aged together in different cars. Buy good used, if your car warrants it. You will never loose! (JMO) sam

NCGuy68 · #4 12-24-2003, 03:02 AM

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I'm considering buying one of the reproduction rosewood steering wheels for my 69 Z11. Has anyone had anyone bought one of these repro wheels? Is it close to original or just garbage?

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Every one I've ever seen looks nothing like the origianls. I was skeptical when they first appeared and still am today.

**Charley Lillard** · #5 12-24-2003, 03:24 AM

I have a couple NOS Rosewoods and the Repos look kinda like em. As the orig. ones age they get redder and smoother. I will try to take a good pic of a NOS one.

camarojoe · #6 12-24-2003, 03:50 AM

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I have a couple NOS Rosewoods and the Repos look kinda like em...

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Yeah, the similarities are A. They are both round, and B. They both have 3 spokes. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Seriously though,all of the originals I have had, both used and NOS alway have a much more "orange" look to them than a reproduction... The repro ones are way to "maroon" looking IMO. Just like with about any other repro part, they will do the job, but anyone who knows what they are looking at won't have too much trouble telling the difference from original. Personally, i'd rather have an original with a half dozen cracks than a repro. Although a cracked real one is STILL gonna cost you more money than the reproduction.

**Charley Lillard** · #7 12-24-2003, 03:59 AM

The NOS ones I have don't have much Orange in them. They get lighter as they wear.

camarojoe · #8 12-24-2003, 04:08 AM

Charlie, are you sure thats not an early 69 walnut wheel? The pic is pretty dark, but it looks more like brown in the pic...

**Charley Lillard** · #9 12-24-2003, 04:32 AM

Yes I'm sure.

camarojoe · #10 12-24-2003, 04:35 AM

hmmm. that sure doesnt look like any rosewood I have ever seen. Can you post a pic with some more light on it?

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