What are the differences between the genuine GM comfort grip steering wheels and the widely available reproductions?

I bought a wheel at a swap meet that the seller said he purchased at the chevy dealer in the early 70's to replace the cracked wood wheel on his 68.

I compared it to a known repop wheel and the swap meet wheel has a slightly larger rim diameter and the rim has a different shape- it is "rounder". There is a number 4 in one of the circles on the back of the swap wheel also. The chrome strip on the swap wheel is seemless, the repop is not. There is a slight difference in the depth of the dish also-maybe 1/8 inch. The welds on the 3rd spoke on the swap wheel are deeper than the repop. The swap meet wheel has a "heavier" feel to it.

Is this a GM wheel or a "better" reproduction than what is out there currently?

Don't know about the differences, but the "Comfort-Grip" wheel was never available as a factory option on the '69 Camaro.

:beers:

Looking at the spokes is a good way to tell.
The repro will have a sharper cut, with a more defined "bend".
The original will flow nicer, and the edges are more smoothed.
The rubber will be softer on the original also - pretty easy to tell side-by-side

I hope William doesn't see what you guys are calling that thing? :eek:

That wheel won't fit on a 68 - the dish is too short.
Congrats on your nomination John. :thumbsup: