Steering Wheel too shiny

[Pat Buckley]

I would like to hear comments from others regarding their steering wheel center hub.

I have noticed that the sun reflecting off that big shiny lump of aluminum is pretty distracting and at times I have had to cover it with my hand so I could see properly.

Wht have you all done about this?

Maybe it should be painted silver?

I also thought that since mine is more of a satin finish that if I polished it the reflection wouldn't be so bad.

 

[Doc Watson]

I think this was a problem for the race drivers back in the day... they painted them black.

 

[Steve C]

Pat,

I have an all black anodized Al hub boss I'm told from MK11B (1967) with FORD machined in the face...Right now I'm running P2125 with a polished Al boss by Frank Catt and original cloisen (sp?)3 color badge ( FORD) from Fran......I'll probably swap in and out for variety.....Think Fran told me he had one left when I bought the black one some months back...Steve

 

[JimmyMac]

I think that the original tricolour FORD G.T wheel centre badge incorporated a die-cast and convex moulded medallion. As was all Ford production car regalia at the time. It was not done by cloisonne or applique techniques.
The Gulf cars had a plain boss, anodised black with no centre badge.

The shift knob also had a plastic badge.

 

[Steve C]

Jimmy,

Tx for clarification....well what I got from Kress is in fact a moulded metal, convex and colors seem to be like a baked enamel or perhaps ceramic?..So I guess it is original or original like ( was really confused by term cloisened anyway)...As far as the Black boss/badge that I have I thought I have seen pics of one on a MK11B but maybe not ( anyway it sure doesn't glare).....Regards, Steve

 

[JimmyMac]

Steve,
There are dozens of fake badges out there.
Fran's badge is actually nicer looking than the original. In fact a friend of mine prefers this to the original and coincidentally he said so this morning.

The original has a distinct die scar dividing the disc. The chrome background is thicker and the colours are also much paler. There is also no chrome surround to the black font.

A good greyscale plate of an original badge can be seen on page 6 of David Hodges book where you will see the scar disecting the FORD G.T. text.

Jacques Clouseau

 

[Pat Buckley]

You guys are great, thanks.

I think I may go black and forego the badge....

Dealing with Fran Kress was unique. I ordered the badge and got it before I sent payment. Amazing in todays world.