1968 Toronado Rim Blow (Upgrade)
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2021 1:37 pm
I was really excited to find this original 1968 Toronado Rim Blow steering wheel on eBay for $50.00 + $25 s/h. The wheel is in amazing shape. Well, all but what is expected. The rubber rim blow was extremely corroded and the clear plastic was all cracked and dry rotted into yellow boogers. My original 68 wheel started cracking really bad after an ice storm a few years ago. Over the years I have collected a few different wheels online. I was able to find an original 66 tilt/telescopic wheel that was in really good shape and have had that in the Toronado ever since… However, the 66 wheel is really flat and the center part is so big its kind of like driving with a banjo… Since the plastic and rubber was in such bad shape on the 68 steering wheel. I just decided to remove it, cut thick foam padding, and reuse the leather cover. I conditioned the leather really good making it fit the steering wheel nicely. I did use the plate form a 67 wheel I found and then my original 68 pad. Then with waxed nylon stitched the thick foam all the way around it. The wheel is extremely nice looking and a pleasure to drive with. As far as my original 66 steering wheel… I plan on hanging it on the wall. With it being as flat as it is it will make some really cool piece of pop art…
