Hi,

I have a chance to pick up an original rosewood wheel. Now after seeing so many repos out there how can I spot if it's an original? What are the #'s on the back and is there a way to spot the coloring (originals are lighter?)

Got more info on it. It was pulled out of an Impala SS and the numbers on the back will confirm that.

They look the same as a Camaro's wheel, anyone know of any differences between the two? I just want to match it up well for my 69 Camaro vert.

http://cherrybombblast.com/ebay/impala-steering.jpg

Alex: Others will chime in here, but I was told to rub your finger around where the red, white and blue lines are between the black center and the larger round metal part (that groove)... a real one has a certain feel that a fabricated one doesn't have. Again, who the heck knows! (I'm sure the numbers on the back can be repro'd just as easily). what color is your int/ ext? It'll look nice regardless.

Alex: Others will chime in here, but I was told to rub your finger around where the red, white and blue lines are between the black center and the larger round metal part (that groove)... a real one has a certain feel that a fabricated one doesn't have. Again, who the heck knows! (I'm sure the numbers on the back can be repro'd just as easily). what color is your int/ ext? It'll look nice regardless.

I wish I actually knew what a real one felt like lol. The current owner has some other parts from a Z28 and told me that he has had it for close to 20 years.

As for my car....here she is....I was considering a SS wheel since I'm cloning it out to an SS but a real rosewood should be a very nice upgrade.
http://cherrybombblast.com/ebay/cam5.jpg

This steering wheel looks just like my factory 1970 over counter I ordered. I think this was the plastic? I think GM had two versions of this material. Been too many years to recall what I ordered but it was the lesser expensive one. As for the horn button, I would have to pull it off for numbers.

This steering wheel looks just like my factory 1970 over counter I ordered. I think this was the plastic? I think GM had two versions of this material. Been too many years to recall what I ordered but it was the lesser expensive one. As for the horn button, I would have to pull it off for numbers.


Well from what this guy is telling me it's from an Impala SS. I haven't heard about the two versions of material, thought it was just the rosewood one when you ordered it. Any idea of what it would be worth? A good repo will cost me in the $300-350 range shipped but I rather have the real thing.

you can get a good repro cheaper than that can't you? I haven't seen too many SS rims around, not even good after-market. I've thought about those for my SS but just don't see too many around. I actually like the feel of the standard steering wheel myself.

I also have the hugger-orange and black (hockey stripe). people love that color combo

Alex,

Although it's difficult to tell from the picture, your wheel appears to be a 67-68 Walnut wheel, not a 69 Rosewood. Measure the depth of the dish (should be around 2.5" for a 69 wheel), and compare it to this 1969 ROSEWOOD WHEEL (http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h52/bertfam/69rosewood.jpg), and this 1967-1968 WALNUT WHEEL (http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h52/bertfam/67-68walnut.jpg).

Ed

Alex,

Although it's difficult to tell from the picture, your wheel appears to be a 67-68 Walnut wheel, not a 69 Rosewood. Measure the depth of the dish (should be around 2.5" for a 69 wheel), and compare it to this 1969 ROSEWOOD WHEEL (http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h52/bertfam/69rosewood.jpg), and this 1967-1968 WALNUT WHEEL (http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h52/bertfam/67-68walnut.jpg).

Ed

Hi Ed,

After looking at your pics and checking out walnut wheels on ebay I'm pretty sure it's the Walnut wheel as well. It just doesn't have that reddish color like the rosewoods have.

Thanks for the help guys.

Alex

I think the spokes are deeper on the Impala wheel. If you take a measurement from the rim to the hub it is deeper.

Early 69's had a walnut wheel that was the color of the 68 walnut wheel but the shape of the 69 Rosewood wheel.

69 camcon

your wheel appears to be a real 1968 walnut wood wheel.
the repro's look much different than originals on the walnut ones.

the 69 rosewood wheels are big dollars in good condition..

there is a newer repro rose wood wheel out now that is very exceptible.....