Wheels within wheels

Formuling Strategy

Update - was able to trade for yet another Formuling wheel- needs new leather but has the correct, elusive hub, and best of all is smaller than the other Formuling wheel.  So, two period correct choices!

Update - it was suggested that the Formuling wheel bolt circle form factor was identical to that of  Moto Lita,  (still in business and going strong)  solving the hub concern.  Encouraging indeed and they look identical, but just the same but I thought I'd confirm....

Here's how they measure at Moto Lita:

FINDING THE PCD
Our standard bosses have a PCD of 101.6mm (4"). The pitch circle diameter (PCD) can be found by measuring from the middle of one fixing hole to the middle of another fixing hole on the opposite side (across the centre hole) on the pitch circle diameter of the fixing ring of screws.

The standard bosses have a centre space of 82.80mm (3.26") to take our standard horns or caps (82mm with O ring push in fitting).   

Formuling France

So, here’s the Formuling.. The centre boss circle is 77.5 mm, (3.05")  and the PCD is 96mm. (3.779")

So, the Moto Lita wont work unfortunately.

Lecarra?  (Thanks Mark).  Unfortunately not. 

This Lecarra hub looks like a non- match, unfortunately.  It does fit a Lotus 7 steering column, which should be the same as the Europa and ‘76 and earlier Spitfire.  The PCD is approximately 4.030” and the OD of the hub where the ID of the steering wheel hub hole would fit is 3.450”.

Wheels and Wheels

I have collected enough to steering wheels to warrant a dedicated storage bin.   One Europa S2, one TC, one’72  Porsche 914, plus the vintage Momo on the ‘73 914.  I knew I wanted a different (smaller) wheel on Emily Car,  so I began to familiarize myself with what was available, and, as is my wont, what was on offer on Kijiji.  

This led to the purchase of a lot of 5 more steering wheels, under unusual circumstances.   I met  J in the process of being evicted from his family home, next to a half-filled dumpster in the driveway, and  a mountain ridge of seemingly random items, heaped in the garage and driveway, reluctantly inching in procession toward destiny.   Clearly an unusual guy in a difficult circumstance, J was also intelligent, friendly, and kind.   I was fortunate to intercept these wheels en route to the landfill, along with the back end of a fiberfab Valkyrie kit car, which is now in my shop. Not quite sure why I grabbed that.   Perhaps J is not so unusual after all.     

Two of the five wheels picture in the ad had caught my eye.    One was a vintage Nardi/Personal Fittipaldi, as well as another vintage sports car wheel that appeared to be of decent quality.  There was another one, vaguely British, from which I hoped (in vain it turns out) I might salvage a Europa-compatible  hub casting. 

They were all tired and filthy, and most were damaged, but the price was very fair. 

The Fittipaldi is a very rare 4-spoke model from the 70s.  The leather was intact, but was mottled, grey/beige and scabrous, having lost its finish.  The anodizing was unscratched.  It appeared to be worth an attempt at salvaging.     I should have shot a before photo, but didn’t. 

 I researched the subject of wheel restoration online and was rewarded with the usual stuff from well-meaning non-experts, though nothing really insightful.  

There is a Tandy leather store near my office.  I’d driven by this seeming anachronism for decades,  always meaning to stop in, curious as much as anything.   I finally did so last year to sort out some sailboat projects and was extremely impressed by the store, its inventory and the knowledge and helpfulness of the staff.  They are truly ‘into leather’ and are happy  to share what they know.  Please visit and support them, they deserve it.  (The Mississauga ON location) 

https://tandyleather.ca/?utm_source=GMB&utm_medium=Yext&y_source=1_MjM3NjIzODMtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLmdvb2dsZV93ZWJzaXRlX292ZXJyaWRl

I asked their advice on the Fittipaldi, which of course I’d forgotten to bring with me.  The gentleman listened attentively and suggested a restoration approach, then validated this with his more senior colleague.  He then took the time to carefully describe each step and after asking if I had time to spare, showed me how he preferred to dye leather and the tools and tricks he used to get the best results.  

https://tandyleather.ca/?utm_source=GMB&utm_medium=Yext&y_source=1_MjM3NjIzODMtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLmdvb2dsZV93ZWJzaXRlX292ZXJyaWRl

I purchased $28 worth (tax included) of the supplies he recommended.

The really thorough explanation took nearly as long doing the work (neither took long at all) and I am really pleased with the result.  The Vintage momo on my 914 will get the same treatment when the weather warms.  

This vintage Italian piece was dumpster-bound!  (J - Thank you for saving it for me.)

Here is a write-up on this wheel:

https://www.hagerty.com/media/motorsports/rare-italian-steering-wheel-i-never-wish-to-sell/

From Italy to France…

I believe that the item below is a 1970s vintage Formuling France wheel.   J had said one was a ‘race car wheel’ and this may have been it.   It is quite small, thick and battered, with a relatively  uncommon 9-bolt hub.  Flush with  my success with the PersonalFittpaldi,  I proceeded to strip the finish  and restore the Formuling.    It soon became evident that the material was different (and damaged) so I decided instead to dissect and discover.  It turns out that the  leather isn’t, and is beynd repair.  The wheel casting itself weighs mere ounces, while the rubber is fairly heavy.  The casting finish is a wrinkle paint.  Could/should this be a restoration project?   Wood?  Leather?  Can I find or make a hub?   It is smaller and more 1960's-era than the '70s Fittipaldi, and if restored might be a good choice for the Europa.  Mine came with a hub, however it is not compatible with the Europa.   Unfortunately OE Formuling France hubs are very scarce.

So, in addition to the stock wheels, I have two potential aftermarket options.  (and counting)   What I am unclear on is the availability of adapter hubs and horn pushes to mate either the standard six bolt wheel or the less common Grant/other 9 bolt wheel to the Europa.   Any suggestions? 

Lotus Elan, Europa & Super 7, Triumph Herald, GT6, Spitfire MK II, TRA, TR4, TR5, TR6, TR250, Vitesse - Steering Wheel Hub share the same spline and dia apparently

Reportedly, Size is 5/8”, 36 splines   - diameter is actually .61”   36 splines.

https://classicgarage.com/loeleusu7stw.html

https://www.eddiemarine.com/shop/steering-and-cables/steering-wheels/grant-steering-wheels/hub-adapters-formulating-and-grant