Help with steering wheels - Formula and unknown

General Chat with an emphasis on BMC Minis & Other iconic cars of the 1960's.
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sandro_f
Basic 850
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Help with steering wheels - Formula and unknown

Post by sandro_f »

Hi guys,


I need some help identifying these 2 steering wheels.

As for the first one, even though it is well identified as being a Formula both by the box and boss fitting I'm not really sure about it, because the box is very different from the ones I've seen on the research I did.

And I have no idea on the make of the second one. I hope someone here recognizes it.


Thanks in advance ;)

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ricardo
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Re: Help with steering wheels - Formula and unknown

Post by ricardo »

The first one has everything to make me believe it is indeed formula, from the wood shape to the centre holes and square boss fitment.

As for the second one, I don't know...
sandro_f
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Re: Help with steering wheels - Formula and unknown

Post by sandro_f »

ricardo wrote:The first one has everything to make me believe it is indeed formula, from the wood shape to the centre holes and square boss fitment.

As for the second one, I don't know...
My only doubt about the first one is the box. It is a lot different from all the ones I've seen:

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And it is identified as "The Formula" instead of only "Formula". I'm not sure if it has something to do with the date of production...


(Obrigado Ricardo ;) )
ricardo
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Re: Help with steering wheels - Formula and unknown

Post by ricardo »

I would say the wheel and box on this last post is a late wheel while the one on your first post is a proper 60's wheel... but I'm not an expert.
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bill773mini
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Re: Help with steering wheels - Formula and unknown

Post by bill773mini »

edited
Last edited by bill773mini on Fri Feb 25, 2011 7:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
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bill773mini
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Re: Help with steering wheels - Formula and unknown

Post by bill773mini »

Very close to the one I've just fitted to my wife's Heinz. That is a Formula Wheel. Apart from the lower spokes not having the holes in.

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coopertim
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Re: Help with steering wheels - Formula and unknown

Post by coopertim »

Hi there. The second wheel looks very much like my old wheel sold on eBay recently. I was told that it was a Paddy Hopkirk item. Hope this helps. Cheers. Tim.
sandro_f
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Re: Help with steering wheels - Formula and unknown

Post by sandro_f »

Thanks ricardo, bill773mini and coopertim ;)

About the Formula wheel I would just love to find a fabrication date.
As for the second one, I'll follow the Paddy Hopkirk lead
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Re: Help with steering wheels - Formula and unknown

Post by mk1 »

I agree on all counts, when I first saw the second one I thought Paddy Hopkirk, but didn't say as I had never seen one of these without its very distinctive boss fitted.
sandro_f
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Re: Help with steering wheels - Formula and unknown

Post by sandro_f »

Doing some research on another steering wheel I have here I found some good info on Mike Lempert's website.
Coincidently, on the same page of this Le Mans wheel on the 66 Empi catalog, it is mentioned "The Formula" steering wheel.



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mk1
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Re: Help with steering wheels - Formula and unknown

Post by mk1 »

EMPI & Speedwell had very close links from 1966 through to the early 70's as Speedwell were manily selling Formula wheels at that time it does not surprise me that Empi did too.

Nice catalogue extract!
2ramp3
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Re: Help with steering wheels - Formula and unknown

Post by 2ramp3 »

its a small world gentle men i do believe the wheel that tim says he sold on ebay recently is in my possession complete with its boss i,ll try and down load some photos of it later and perhaps mark can identify its origin .Bear with me on the down load thanks
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coopertim
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Re: Help with steering wheels - Formula and unknown

Post by coopertim »

Aha!!! I thought it looked familiar! :D I had that wheel when i were just a slip of a lad on my Antique Gold 850 PJL 835R - long since dead me thinks :(

Cheers. Tim
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Re: Help with steering wheels - Formula and unknown

Post by 2ramp3 »

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Re: Help with steering wheels - Formula and unknown

Post by 2ramp3 »

Tried to upload more pictures but got lost in the jungle called technology and unlike my car a hammer did,nt seem to help
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