I have the big tractor original steering wheel on my 66 - love it, can't part with it - but I must get something smaller as I am required to put a funnycar cage in my car.

I want to keep it original, so where can I find a reproduction 66 chevelle 2 spoke wood wheel? Or a used one (rare as hell I'm sure!)?

I called Ausleys because they had one in their catalog and they said that their supplier is out of stock and backordered... so I wonder who their supplier is? Anyone know?

Also on the interior note, I want to either put in the original AM radio or something that looks just like it but has more modern stereo hidden underneath. I want it to look somewhat original, but it would be nice to hide a 6 disk changer somewhere and yet still look stock.

Finally, there are two carpets listed that I am torn between - My car is a 66 Malibu SS with Marina blue paint. Originally the paint was slightly darker - the two carpet colors are listed as Aqua blue or Bright Blue. I think I need bright blue (the carpet i have is fairly light in color) but want to know which is more likely correct for my car.

Thanks in advance!

Ryan

First of all, you need to find out if you can use a wood steering wheel. If I remember correctly, they are not allowed in race cars.

Really? That is the first time i have ever heard that one so it would be news to me! I have been at the racetrack a few hundred times and never heard that!

If I had my rule book with me I'd check it right now...

I could just tell them it's "synthetic wood-like material" and not actually wood...

Besides, this is a STREET CAR that gets raced occasionally... ;)

'66 wood wheels were not real wood (AFAIK) but simulated woodgrain plastic, and I'm pretty sure that they were not much smaller in diameter than the standard Malibu wheel.

same diameter, wood or plastic stock, must go aftermarket.

I thought they were 16.5" and 14.5" respectively. My steering wheel is HUGE. Like the kind you would put on a tractor. I love it though, nothing else on my car since I bought it in 1987.

My factory plastic wheel is cracked up really bad around the hub to the point of being a safety issue especially since my car might go 180+ mph next year.

Since I am redo-ing the cage thought I would spruce up the interior and put the original console shifter back in since I have a glide again, and I might put my factory am radio back in also. I need a new carpet but I'm not sure if mine should be aqua or bright blue???

Damn, if it IS the same size, I guess it's still a big improvement because mine is mega-cracked...

Bright blue on the carpet. Original AM radios are on Ebay all the time.

thanks eddy - the car is marina blue - and I've bought carpet for it before - but I couldn't remember which blue it was. what is the difference between the two colors?

(BTW, I ordered a steering wheel from NPG because they were the only ones with a stock replacement one in stock.)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1966-Chevrolet-AM-Radio-Tested-Works-Great_W0QQitemZ4587971307QQcategoryZ80741QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem


Here's your radio.

cool - I'll watch how that auction goes - how much do they usually sell for? I have 2 I think stored somewhere but neither one works.

Ok a "street" car that needs a funnycar cage, goes 180, and you'll even be able to hear the tunes.....damn the next time i'm in Calgary i gotta check it out!!!!!! Ralph

Sounds right to me.

Ryan ...... been away just saw your post, maybe too late since I see you ordered a wheel ...... although not alot smaller but it would help, the 2 spoke wood steering wheel for a 66 is the same design in Impalas , Chevelles and Corvairs ..........but the Corvair one is slightly smaller in diameter I bot that one years ago for my 66 from GM .... Maybe you can order a repo Corvair one ....... BTW I have a couple new internal parts for a stock 66 steering column I never used since I found a 66 tilt and it different so will stick in mail to you I will never use

....... c'mon get a radio delete plate for that thing you will never hear the stereo anyway :) If you must have a stereo think about this .....install aftermarket one where the heater controls go and cover with " Heater Delete dash plate " epoxy magnets to the back for easy access to stereo ........ Thats how I hid my aftermarket gauges (oil and temp) for stock look interior ....... I can send you a template of a factory delete dash plate....... .easy to make

Hope you still planning to install power windows .that would be so cool for that street car , especially once the air goes in :) Bill

Thanks Bill. All good information.

I already ordered the wheel yesterday with all the hardware and horn parts... I'll see how it fits in a week or two when it arrives - but I won't really know until I get the funnycar cage in.

What parts do you have for the steering column? Mine is in good shape, except I have to cut the shaft again for my new rack setup.

I am intrigued about the factory delete plate - I am thinking I will keep the heater controls in there and wire them up to control something like Kev Thompson did in his sleeperbu. Do you REALLY think magnets will hold that plate on when I launch this car?? Even with my old setup it instantly adjusted all mirrors every time I launched LOL.

I think the radio is necessary for appearance and function since I will have 3.40 gears and 33" tires and a puny 260/255 @ .050" roller and EFI I will be able to do some cruising on the highway. It won't be that loud when I'm not making boost.

I want to put A/C on the car but first I need to plumb the intercooler and induction piping to see if I have space anywhere for it.

I'm not going power windows, I'm too lazy LOL. Maybe next year.

(On another note, I know it sounds like I have a jungle gym in my car - I do not! The SFI 25.5 chassis specs dictate that if I have a funny cage on the driver's side, the "shoulder bar" - the main hoop crossbar, can be close to the floor, about 10" up in my case. The back seat is in stock location and is easily accessible when you fold the passenger seat forward. Much easier than before, no ducking over tubing, just step over the low bar. And once in the back seat, passengers will have increased headroom because the rear bars are frame-width and that is narrower than before. I have the funnycar cage but it is a requirement for sub 8.50 now.)

Ryan, if you have a radio now that doesn't work, I have a number for a guy in Edmonton that just fixed mine. He told me he has all kinds of radios there. He just might have a '66' working model in stock Let me know and I will pm you the name and number

blumont, please pm me the details. I might be heading up there to check the progress on my short block this weekend.