WANTED Burlwood Steering Wheel 124/129/140

[Benzy Boy]

I'm looking for a burlwood steering wheel for the 124/129/140 cars.

It must be original, not refurbished. So no reupholstered leather or re-veneered wood examples. I prefer 390mm but I'll consider a 400mm.

Preferably I want one in mint condition, and I'm willing to pay handsomely for it, but I'm willing to settle for one with minor imperfections although for a lower price.

Some members here have already posted some for sale and I'm taking those into account as well but I want to broaden my options in the meantime.

Thank you!

 

[gsxr]

I don't have anything like that for sale, but do you care if it's 390mm or 400mm diameter?

 

[Benzy Boy]

I don't have anything like that for sale, but do you care if it's 390mm or 400mm diameter?

I prefer 390mm but I'll consider a 400mm. Added to the post. Thanks.

 

[doolar]

Here's the one I've got, pictures taken just now. It's got wear on the leather, but it would come out really well with a light restoration, no retrim needed. The upper clear coat have some hairlines, but not too bad at all.

The wheel is 390 mm, I measured it today to be sure.

I'm thinking €200 plus shipping, I think that's reasonable?. I do not know how the rules go regarding sending an airbag, but it is up to you entirely.

 

[Benzy Boy]

Here's the one I've got, pictures taken just now. It's got wear on the leather, but it would come out really well with a light restoration, no retrim needed. The upper clear coat have some hairlines, but not too bad at all.

The wheel is 390 mm, I measured it today to be sure.

I'm thinking €200 plus shipping, I think that's reasonable?. I do not know how the rules go regarding sending an airbag, but it is up to you entirely.

Would you say the wood has been UV faded compared to the trim in stock condition? Reason I ask is because my trim is in 10/10 condition and has no fading so I wonder if this wood will perfectly (close enough) match it or not.

 

[doolar]

Would you say the wood has been UV faded compared to the trim in stock condition? Reason I ask is because my trim is in 10/10 condition and has no fading so I wonder if this wood will perfectly (close enough) match it or not.

The wood is dark and not faded, I can give you comparison photos in daylight if you like, I have NOS burl trim that never saw a second of UV light.

I want to be clear that this wheel is good, but not perfect, if you’re looking for new-ish condition either skip this one or be prepared to do some cozy restoration at the kitchen table. It will come out great! Or just use it as is

I’ve PM:d you with a shipping quote.

 

[Benzy Boy]

The wood is dark and not faded, I can give you comparison photos in daylight if you like, I have NOS burl trim that never saw a second of UV light.

I want to be clear that this wheel is good, but not perfect, if you’re looking for new-ish condition either skip this one or be prepared to do some cozy restoration at the kitchen table. It will come out great! Or just use it as is

I’ve PM:d you with a shipping quote.

I would really appreciate a comparison with the new burl trim in daylight just to make sure. Also does anyone know what causes cracks in the clear on the wood? I've seen very high mileage examples with no cracks and lower mileage examples with lots of cracks.

 

[500AMM]

I would really appreciate a comparison with the new burl trim in daylight just to make sure. Also does anyone know what causes cracks in the clear on the wood? I've seen very high mileage examples with no cracks and lower mileage examples with lots of cracks.

It's several factors, but the main reasons are a combination of different expansion properties between the clearcoat and the wood, the clearcoast dries out over time, and exposure to UV radiation i.e. sunlight. It is always a certain % of solvent locked up in the clearcoat after the hardening process and the coating is pretty flexible for a long time. But all coating are capillary materiels and the solvent will slowly diffuse over time so most coating types dries out and get brittle. When I first start thinking about this I thought it was caused by just high ambient temps, but I have noticed that the cracking is the same anywhere in the world. Or in fact even worse in climates with high delta T as here in Norway with say -20 C in winter and +30 C in a good summer, that is delta T at 50 C giving a huge expansion/contraction. That means the wood will expand/contract while the brittle clearcoat won't and cracks occure.

 

[RPM Retro]

@Amgmercedes.parts.fulloptions Anything available for @Funny Bunny?

 

[aliking]

I have one for sale in very good condition
Airbag NOT included
Price 400$ include shipping

 

[Benzy Boy]

I have one for sale in very good condition
Airbag NOT included
Price 400$ include shipping

Wow looks great. Can you confirm it is the same standard burlwood colour? And what is that little burn mark on the bottom right spoke? Thanks

 

[aliking]

Wow looks great. Can you confirm it is the same standard burlwood colour? And what is that little burn mark on the bottom right spoke? Thanks

Thank you
Yes its standard burlwood but im not sure if its the same color you looking for, its also 39cm size
Can u tell me which burn mark exactly in pictures?
Thanks

 

[Benzy Boy]

Thank you
Yes its standard burlwood but im not sure if its the same color you looking for, its also 39cm size
Can u tell me which burn mark exactly in pictures?
Thanks

This is the colour I need.

SOLD - Burl wood steering wheel 390 mm diameter | Parts for Sale

For Sale Very nice condition, no cracks in the wood. Shipping without airbag Price: 500€ + shipping Located in Germany

www.500eboard.co

 

[aliking]

I dont know what is it exactly
Here is a more clear photos for all the spokes
Color is lighter than the color u sent to me

 

[Benzy Boy]

I dont know what is it exactly
Here is a more clear photos for all the spokes
Color is lighter than the color u sent to me

Thank you very much. Unfortunately it is not a match then. I am wondering if there are really multiple shades of burlwood or it's just a lighting thing. @gsxr might know.

 

[doolar]

Thank you very much. Unfortunately it is not a match then. I am wondering if there are really multiple shades of burlwood or it's just a lighting thing. @gsxr might know.

The burl wood is of course a natural material and can vary quite a lot between pieces. At the factory they were matched. Also 30+ years with all it entails affects it too. There are very dark burl and very light burl, and everything in between.

 

[500AMM]

Yes, the hue varies between new wood. I was in contact with Madera Concepts years ago and they gave a general description of their resto process. I've always thought the clearcoat was pigmented for colour matching, but that was partly wrong. It would work to a certain extent, but basically all colour matching were done on bare wood prior to clearcoating. I imagine that is a time consuming process with some trials since dry & bare wood has a pretty pale appearance, while wetted wood is much, much darker.

 

[TerryA]

When I was restoring antique furniture I had can of spray tint that could be used to match existing old wood. It was easy to use and once you had a color match you would then apply finish coats over it.