Are 240Z steering wheels actually wood??

[Gav240z]

Wasn't there an introduction in the 60's sometime so that steering wheels and columbs were collapsable to help prevent severe head and neck injuring in the event of an accident?

If this effected the Z's wouldn't this make wood inappropriate for use seeing as it wouldn't fold up or bend in an accident and therefore they used plastic with that classy wood finish???

Just a thought it doesn't really matter as long as my steering wheel can be refurnished nicely I don't mind. Fake wood or not.:classic:

[Brett240]

collapsable steering columns were made mandatory in Aus in 73 but all zeds had them anyway, wood steering wheels turned into a no no becouse some had a tendancy to splinter in an accident and stab people.

[beandip]

I dont know about the shift knob but the wheel is for sure not wood. I dont know if it is plastic or what it is but it is not wood. You dont need to use stripper, to prep the rim of the wheel just use one of those green pads that 3 M makes to do dishes. and scrub the surface with soap and water to remove all the dirt and gunk. Let it dry completely and sand the spokes and if bare metal prime. Then mask off the spokes and spray with a rattle can if you dont have a touch up gun. I used clear gloss laquer and gave it two coats let dry over nite and wet sanded with 400 paper then two more coats let dry then repeted the sand. I did this about 6 times untill I was satisfied with the finish. I let that dry for about three days to really dry , then masked the wheel and sprayed the spokes black with saten black. The reason I used laquer is that now I can just wype it down with the 3-M pad and I can respray with out having to strip it and build up the finish again. It's been on the car for almost 2 yrs and I havent needed to refinish it . My 2 c Gary

[Mr Camouflage]

Originally posted by 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?

I wouldnt use stain on it. I used a Satin clear coat for wood. Gives a satin finish. Might use a high gloss if i had to do it again

Have a read of this thread.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5489