My next project is to bring my steering wheel up to date. It appears to have been a composite plastic wheel that was blue and has the 3 horn buttons on the spokes. Is that correct? I was going to replace it but the ones in like Classic Industries do not look correct and they only sell the wood ones. So I am a bit confused. Is there a direct replacement or do I refurb my self. I was told it was original by the previous owner for whats it worth. Your ideas and suggestions are always welcome. Thanks.

That's a 68 only Deluxe Wheel and not reproduced. Highly sought after and well worth restoring. Several steering wheel restoration kits are out there. Folow the instructions and take your time. Several of us here have restored these wheels, so others I'm sure will chime in.

Keep it and restore it. I made the mistake years ago of selling one in hopes of getting one in better shaper later on....never found one any better. A professional will charge about 400-500 to restore one.

How does the steering wheel get removed. I see a nut in the center. I see they sell a steering wheel puller. Do I need that to remove the steering wheel?

yes usually. somtimes you get lucky and it comes off ,you pull, freind GENTLY taps center stud with a hammer. pullers are cheap.

are you guys talking about the vinyl tri spoke with three horn buttons. ive had 3 69 birds , they all had the tri-spoke. i just gave mine away. it was perfect.. oops.

No, the 69 vinyl tri spoke is different than the 68 deluxe (no vinyl other than on the center horn cap)

PCI, this is the '68 Deluxe wheel they are talking about. Mine is heavily cracked and needs resto too.

Fellow FGF'r medhat68 did a resto on his Deluxe wheel here. http://www3.telus.net/public/68bird/steering_wheel.htm

oh ok, mine was the 3 spoke vinyl / plastic.

I restored mine last year, it is a lot of work, but the wheels in busted up condition go for over $200 on ebay and restored ones over $500. Here is a link to mine on PY
http://forums.performanceyears.com/forum...=steering+wheel
Well worth the effort to get the correct and rare wheel on your 68. it is truly unique, one year only and very rare. Anyone can buy a Grant or repro wheel, a deluxe wheel sets you apart from the crowd.

Bill - I might be interested in taking a look at yours. What are you looking to get for it?

I'm based in Tampa.

I don't want to sell it but if you ever come down to Ft.Myers/Cape Coral, I will gladly spend some time to show you how and what i did.
I dremeled the cracks into a vee notch for better adhesion of the filler material. The kitty hair was for the strength to fill in the very large gaps and busted parts of the hub. Then I used regular body filler per Jim Phillips steering wheel restoration in his book, then spot putty for finishing. Just like a body panel, except it was really hard with the round contours etc. Then sand, prime and paint.
I should go back and do a better job on the final sanding and paint, but I have other projects on my plate. It's not hard to restore if you have done body work before.

Ah, gotcha... I have a deluxe interior FB... but the wrong wheel (some other classic pontiac skinny 3 spoke with a center button).

Thanks for the info!

Not all deluxe interiors got the deluxe steering wheel. It was a separate option. Mine has the standard interior, but deluxe steering wheel and deluxe seat belts/shoulder belts.

Only the PHS doc's can tell you what came in your car.

P.S. even my deluxe wheel is cracked all around the hub, and my car only has 24,000 miles on it. These wheels must have been terribly flawed when manufactured.

Thanks for clarifying. I have my PHS docs, but am failing to find mention of the steering wheel (other than "Tilt Steering Wheel"). Any idea where to look or what option code?

Thanks!

Even new NOS ones are busted up. They were experimenting with some type of plastic that doen't hold up very well.

Originals were cast ceramic over a wire (steel) framework.

Heating and cooling of the ceramic and the steel (expansion/contraction) were the killers.

I would really appreciate some color advice. I am restoring my '68 deluxe wheel. I bought ivy gold interior paint which matches the replacement seat covers and door panels fine, but is too gold for the wheel and does not match the green of the steering column. Would someone please help with the proper green color/paint source for my wheel?