I recently purchased a 1969 Z-11 and it has a date coded rosewood steering wheel.. First of all I was surprised the wheel was not "real" rosewood, but plastic and also the wheel is cracked through to the medal rim in 3 different places. Should I get this repaired, or is it more valuable to keep it the way it is. If a repair is in order, can you recommend a vender for this repair.

The authentic GM 'wood' wheels (both walnut and rosewood) are plastic, not real wood. Grant and maybe some of the other aftermarket wood wheels use real wood, but they don't look anything like the GM wheels. Cracked fake wood wheels are more common than the uncracked ones. I posted a question on this forum a few months ago asking why they are so prone to cracking. Got some interesting responses. I can't imagine that a nicely done repaired wheel is less desireable than a cracked one. I know that a few reputable repair outfits have been listed in previous posts. You can do a search on the topic or wait until someone with a better memory than mine chimes in.

Try these phone numbers or links to Gary's Steering Wheel Restoration

Phone: 717-243-5646 • Toll Free 866-879-6525
Email: wheelrest@aol.com (wheelrest@aol.com)
www.dealsonwheels.com/parts/garys (http://www.dealsonwheels.com/parts/garys)