I'm still looking Jim... Hoover bag is low on this but working. I need a Roomba!

5 hours ago, jfa.series1 said:

If we can agree that this is a "Almost-NOS" wheel having been well-stored and protected for many years, then can we also agree that the rim color accurately represents the wheels delivered in production cars? 

I would agree with the likelihood pointing to that.

Don't forget though that the seller says he took it off his new GS31, which points to a production date on, or after, mid 1976. Some may find that a reason to mistrust it as a reference for earlier cars. 

15 minutes ago, Mark Maras said:

I've never seen a blond wheel shown in the early ads nor the deeper red (maroon) sported by the almost NOS wheel being held for ransom. IMO it's been refurbished.

You think he refurbed the wood composite, but didn't bother to strip and repaint the spokes?

I think its the original (Izumi) factory finish.

Not to add weight to your argument, but here's one of the brochure images for the mid-'76 up S31-series cars in Japan. I have no evidence to support the theory, but I have a hunch that they might well have used specially made 'blond' steering wheels for brochures and advertising, simply because they showed up better for contrast than the production items:

That's a plausible theory.

Would someone like Matsuo san be able to shed some light on that?

Here is a 72 landing in LA in May of 72. It has light wheel.

 

Here is another light wheel in June 1970 for a freshly landed Z. I'm beginning to think all were light coloured before oxidation and UV.

1 hour ago, 240260280 said:

 I'm beginning to think all were light coloured before oxidation and UV.

Except that UV effect would be stronger on exposed surfaces vs shaded surfaces, leading to marked differences in shade. I don't buy it.