Are 240Z steering wheels actually wood??

[orange240z]

I am thinking of refinishing my wheel (I have refinished lots of furntiture before), but I see in some places people calling it simulated wood. I haven't picked at it to see, but does anyone know for sure??

Did Datsun offer real wood as an option?

Thanks!

[Gav240z]

I'm really unsure about this I've heard from several people it's fake wood but yet too see any proof. have a look in the member gallery of Kats he has a very nicely polished steering wheel done by a Sushi bar person he said.

The only steering wheel option I know of or think was an option can be seen in my gallery on the ZG it's the stock wheel with a padded outside area I like it but am unsure of all the details on them I think they were Japan market only wheels.

:classic:

[Ben]

The factory wheel & gear knob are synthetic.

I don't know the material used, but it's not wood.

[MikeW]

Originally posted by Ben

The factory wheel & gear knob are synthetic.

I don't know the material used, but it's not wood.

I'm fairly sure my gearshift knob is wood (at least the grain looks proper) but the steering wheel is almost certainly plastic. This has been discussed thoroughly in the past without anyone proving it conclusively one way or the other.

I plan on refinishing mine plastic or not ...

[Bambikiller240]

Here is some fuel for the discusssion

#1

[Bambikiller240]

Here is some fuel for the discusssion

#2

[Bambikiller240]

Here is some fuel for the discusssion

#3

[Bambikiller240]

Here is some fuel for the discusssion

#4

[Mr Camouflage]

The steering wheels are Plastic with a fake wood grain finish on them. I should Know I've stripped and refinished mine. I wrote a post about it before, so have a search of the forums for steering wheels, faux wood and any other search term that comes to mind.

I used paint stripper, it doesnt damage the plastic. What ever you do dont sand it with abrasive paper to remove the Lacquer, because if you sand too much you'll remover the wood grain finish as well, and end up with a plain brown plastic looking wheel (like the type that toyota celica's had of the same era).

And if you want proof, look at the back ot the wheel on the knobby grip bits and you'll see where years of driving has started to wear the wood finish away.

Edit: Does look like wood in the photos though. But I still believe they are plastic.

[orange240z]

Thanks for all the information!

I think I will strip it or at least try a solvent to get the 30+ years of finger grime off and see what's under it.

shoud I stain it like wood? what kind of laquer did you use to recoat it?

[MikeW]

I don't see how it would be possible to make a solid wheel (i.e., no gaps) out of real wood.

[Brett240]

yeap my wheel was definatly plastic, and the gearnob is wood. ive got it in a book somewhere.... ill look into it.