wood

[Citroënbender]

I saw the earlier 147 wheels as better for modification, because mode of construction (the leather patterns and stitching) was more traditional - and therefore they ought be easier to "unbuild" without collateral damage. 

Rather like you can hand saw out a joint in lime mortar brickwork without damage to the brick - as opposed to modern cement mortar and extruded brick walls. 

As a side note about DIY wooden wheel making, proper marine suppliers are a good source of durable semi-clear epoxies, carbon fibre and Kevlar mat and tapes off the roll, and some amazing two pack clear coatings. Of course, anything "boaty" is premium priced, too.  The advent of Microplanes and their copies/derivatives, have also made shaping a lot easier.

[johnl]

For the those who are not linguists -

lingua apud maxilla - tongue in cheek

hehe based on the context, taking into account several threads, that was my conclusion before enlisting the help of Google

Yes, context made it fairly easy. But then 'lingua' is a bit of a giveaway too (obviously related to language, so a small leap to tongue). Then 'maxilla' is familiar as a medical term, something to do with the face, so all in all not hard to piece together a working translation from the latin.

Regards,
John.

[johnl]

I saw the earlier 147 wheels as better for modification, because mode of construction (the leather patterns and stitching) was more traditional - and therefore they ought be easier to "unbuild" without collateral damage. 

Rather like you can hand saw out a joint in lime mortar brickwork without damage to the brick - as opposed to modern cement mortar and extruded brick walls. 

As a side note about DIY wooden wheel making, proper marine suppliers are a good source of durable semi-clear epoxies, carbon fibre and Kevlar mat and tapes off the roll, and some amazing two pack clear coatings. Of course, anything "boaty" is premium priced, too.  The advent of Microplanes and their copies/derivatives, have also made shaping a lot easier.

I think I start to see the scope of what you are suggesting, i.e. to modify / remake a 147 'leather' rimmed the wheel rim in wood...?

A fairly major project I would expect. Life is too short, or at least I don't have the spare time that I think would be required, let alone a spare wheel that could be used since I couldn't use the existing wheel because I need the car to be on the road.

There is a wooden facelift 156 wheel currently on ebay, 'buy it now' for $325.00 (and no 'make an offer'). I'd buy that before I attempted to convert a leather wheel to wood (especially since there is a very good chance the modified wheel would not be as nicely done as the stock one, not confident with equalling the surface finish).

Earlier 156 wooden wheels can be had a lot more cheaply, but I'm not as keen on the shape of the wheel centre, and these have 'finger grooves' on the back of the rim, and I don't like lumps and bumps on steering wheels.

Regards,
John.

[Citroënbender]

Is Fleabay item 272375802728 that which you desire? If so, you're welcome to piggyback postage on an order I placed with that seller today.

[johnl]

Thanks for the kind offer. It's not that one, which is the earlier 156 wooden steering wheel with the different centre.

The object of my lust is this one:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ALFA-ROMEO-156-STEERING-WHEEL-IN-WOODGRAIN-02-99-05-06/272407811334?hash=item3f6cc55506:g:IOYAAOSwNRdX-wrM

It's a pretty thing, though I'd prefer it without the silver effect plastic. Matt black would be aesthetically more pleasing IMO, maybe a specialised plastic spray paint?

Regards,
John.

[johnl]

Anyway, I won't be changing the wheel any time soon. I'd rather put the money toward some better rear dampers, prollie B6 Bilstein.

Regards,
John.

[Citroënbender]

Shows how personal tastes can vary; looks bloated to my eyes. That one almost seems like "rubberwood" rather than a traditional timber like mahogany or walnut.

[johnl]

The one I saw (in the 156) was a darker wood than that one appears to be in those two photos. My bet is that 'in the wood' it looks a bit darker. The one I saw didn't seem as thick rimmed, perhaps it just looks thicker when a lighter colour? At any rate, I quite like a thicker rimmed wheel, though of course as with anything...

The wood on Alfa wheels does seem to vary quite a lot in darkness / lightness / colour. For instance here is another wheel supposed to fit a 147 or a GT, it ought to fit 156 too:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Genuine-Alfa-Romeo-147-amp-GT-Wooden-steering-wheel-audio-control-switches-/232243434714

And another wheel in a 156:

https://www.boards.ie/b/thread/2057320362

Some Alfa wooden wheels are quite dark, some quite light, some quite brown, some reddish tinged, some yellowish.

Regards,
John.

[ugame]

If you really like them, I'd grab that 147 genuine wheel at that price.

That's cheap.

You wont get many decent wheels for less than that. Anything cheaper is usually SaaS or china copy.

Just do it.

[johnl]

Yes, I know the price is reasonable for what it is. At the moment I simply can't justify spending that much $ on a non essential purchase. As I said, properly good rear dampers I need more than that wheel. A set of kart racing tyres will cost me just a bit  less than that, as would renewing my race licence. Times are hardish...

My ideal steering wheel for this car would be a black leather / spoked 14" or maybe 13.5" Momo Prototipo or similar Nardi (the 147 wheel is 14.5"). The power steer on these cars is so light I could easily go for a 13" but it would obscure dials too much (I had a 13" Prototipo in the Nota, and a 13.5" wheel in the old Accord, I really like smallish wheels). Of course I can't use a Momo or a Nardi, because of the damned airbag issue, so it has to be a 'stock' Alfa wheel.

Regards,
John.

[bazzbazz]

I really like smallish wheels). Of course I can't use a Momo or a Nardi, because of the damned airbag issue, so it has to be a 'stock' Alfa wheel.

Yes, my son had the same problem with his Mk3 Golf. Fitted a nice aftermarket Momo, I told him it was illegal and if he got pulled over he'd get done for it, but nooo, I was an idiot and didn't know what I was talking about. 3 weeks and a $375 fine later off came the Momo!

Sometimes there IS a God.   

[johnl]

Yes, a few lessons learnt there I'd think. Possibly the harshest being that one's parents can (on very rare occassion) actually be right about something...

Regards,
John.