Topic: 67 Deluxe Simulated Wood Wheel ~Details

[67gtasanjose]

I have been reading through many of the other threads regarding the 1967 version of the simulated wood Deluxe steering wheel.

At one point, there seemed there were two lower collars available but it looks as though that myth may heve been put to rest (or has it?)

I understand the center pad is slightly taller than the standard wheel pad.

I have seen many original deluxe wheels and they all seem to have a thinner spoke thickness when compared to a 65-66 deluxe wheel, until I found what looks like an original wheel for a 67, it has the correct taller center but also has the thicker spokes, much the same as the 65-66 version though it is definately a 67 type splined hub.

QUESTIONS
1.) was there an EARLY version of the 67 Deluxe Wheel that was thicker?
2.) is there a different lower collar for the tilt wheel? (just wishing to re-establish facts if possible)

[67gtasanjose]

Nobody ever saw a "thick spoke" 67 deluxe wood wheel then? At least not on a 1967 Mustang? Just a curious thing mostly,  wondered if a different supplier, very early, Maybe Export, maybe

[J_Speegle]

Nobody ever saw a "thick spoke" 67 deluxe wood wheel then? At least not on a 1967 Mustang? Just a curious thing mostly,  wondered if a different supplier, very early, Maybe Export, maybe

Export?  That would be in interesting reason especially considering that if it was the reason it would be for an individual country and with the hand full of cars shipped to each company would not make dollars and cents.  Could there be a difference in the ones supplied and installed on cars like Fairlanes?  Just guessing at this point

[67gta289]

I have not.  Regarding the wheels I had about 7 extras, stumbling into them for pennies on the dollar, then sold on not so free bay.  They matched all the ones I've seen at all the shows I've been to.

Thicker spokes I would have noticed.  The narrow vs wide collar is another matter, one discussed previously in another thread.

[67gtasanjose]

OK, I have that thick-spoke 67 wheel in my hands and I took it all apart. It is 100% original everywhere, horn ring, longer center pad, collars hardware...everything inside is 100% all FORD.  It has all the same markings as two other sets of the collars I have...the "dots" are the correct count and correct detail of woodgrain.

I have to say that this is indeed a 67 Mustang thick-spoke deluxe wheel.  First for anything I suppose. Pretty sure it cannot be unique unless perhaps it is a pre-production wheel.

I'll post pictures when I can get the time.

[Scott302]

According to the 1967 Master parts catalog, Ford had an early and late wheel for Mustang, Galaxie and Fairlane.  Before and after 9/26/66.  This includes all wheels, woodgrain or color.  The first woodgrain wheel was a C7OZ-3600-R.  The later woodgrain wheel a C7OZ-3600-S.  At some point after July 1968 (the last Master Parts catalog I have before the 1975 Final issue), Ford replaced the C7OZ-S wheel with either the C7AZ-3600-U or the C7OZ-3600-AJ wheel.   The AJ wheels were complete and ready to bolt on with the rings, plates, screws and cam missing only the center pad. The R and S wheels were wheels only and did not have any additional parts.  I know the C7OZ-AJ wheel had thick spokes as we used to have pallet loads of them in the 80’s.   We sold them by the hundreds into the early 90's until they were gone.   
I would caution not to jump to conclusions as these wheels were NOS in the Ford boxes.  It would very easy to imagine that most of the nice condition thick spoke wheels still on cars are probably these wheels.  You even see them come up for sale every now and then, still in the box with a COD tag with our Michigan address.   My point is that a car today may have an original Ford thick spoke woodgrain steering wheel but it may not be the wheel that came on the car from the factory.
 
Regards,
Scott

[ruppstang]

I took this picture to show the difference in the standard wheel pad on the left and a deluxe wheel pad on the right.
Marty

[67gtasanjose]

I took this picture to show the difference in the standard wheel pad on the left and a deluxe wheel pad on the right.
Marty

Another easy way to spot an original (taller) center pad on an original deluxe simulated wood wheel is to look across the brim of the wheel (the wood ring) for the pad to ride higher than the wheel's ring. If it is flush or not seen, it is incorrect. If it rides higher than the wood ring, most likely it is correct. I couldn't speak about any aftermarket wheels or if this is true for the later Ford service replacements (thick spoke wheels) but I imagine it holds true for any.

[preaction]

Marty, I find it very interesting that my 67 Cougar steering wheel center pad looks very muck like your deluxe wheel pad for a mustang, are the two the same less the center plastic emblem, cougar and mustang ?  A 67 XR7 came with a simulated wood wheel.

[67gtasanjose]

Marty, I find it very interesting that my 67 Cougar steering wheel center pad looks very muck like your deluxe wheel pad for a mustang, are the two the same less the center plastic emblem, cougar and mustang ?  A 67 XR7 came with a simulated wood wheel.

Though I am not answering for Marty, I do know the 67 Cougar simulated wood grain WHEEL (not the center) is much different than the 67 Mustang simulated wood wheel. Fairlaines share the same simulated WHEEL option and padded portion of the center but use a different emblem.

I'm pretty sure the Cougar simulated wood center pad is the same as the Mustang center pad on STANDARD wheels (less emblem)

As discussed in another thread about 6 months back, the two center cap types as Marty has pictures, those that Mustangs use,  can be also told apart when looking at the mounting tab area. "Hollow", with a hole is standard pad and "No Hole" is a deluxe wheel pad.

[Ralf]

I took this picture to show the difference in the standard wheel pad on the left and a deluxe wheel pad on the right.
Marty

Marty,
- could you measure the height on each, pls
- could you take pictures from the bottom side on each, pls
Thx
Ralf

[67gtasanjose]

Marty,
- could you measure the height on each, pls
- could you take pictures from the bottom side on each, pls
Thx
Ralf

Perhaps this helps (see pics)

[ruppstang]

I guess I did not reply quickly enough?

[67gtasanjose]

I guess I did not reply quickly enough?

I gave you over 24 hours, I know how busy of a man you are so I stepped in for the request.