Air_Cooled_Nut
Jun 12 2005, 10:04 AM
My car came with the Comfort option package, basically, and it would seem some other options. I'm trying to determine whether the steering wheel is wrapped in leather or pleather. I would say leather but looking at the picture in the book I have by Brian Long it could be the fake leather. So how does one figure out whether the steering wheel wrapper is leather or leatherette?
smg914
Jun 12 2005, 12:24 PM
The window sticker from my 1973 914 shows it has a "Leatherette Covered Steering Wheel". I believe some of the early 914's had optional leather wheels but it looks like somewhere around 1973 they went to leatherette.
jd74914
Jun 12 2005, 12:32 PM
The wheel could have also been recovered at sometime over its 30 year life. So it may be leather.
davep
Jun 12 2005, 01:20 PM
804.10 is the hard plastic
805.11 is supposed to be leather, but may be leatherette from late 72
809.00 is a foam covered wheel
Air_Cooled_Nut
Jun 12 2005, 04:04 PM
Okay, I appreciate the info but I already know all that. What I need to know is how to figure out by looking/feeling/sniffing/whatever the wrap whether it's leather or leatherette
lotus_65
Jun 12 2005, 09:34 PM
my '74 looks pretty original. the cover looks like leather to me, and it's got a great patina. it's a little loose and the thread (looks like nylon) is frayed.
maybe i recall that in the early 70's, some marketers might have considered "letherette" to be more sellable.
i think mine is original, and it's leather.
lotus_65
Jun 12 2005, 10:07 PM
pic
smg914
Jun 12 2005, 10:26 PM
QUOTE (lotus_65 @ Jun 12 2005, 07:34 PM) |
my '74 looks pretty original. the cover looks like leather to me, and it's got a great patina. it's a little loose and the thread (looks like nylon) is frayed. maybe i recall that in the early 70's, some marketers might have considered "letherette" to be more sellable.
i think mine is original, and it's leather. |
Unless I'm misinterpreting what you are describing.....Do you realize your steering wheel has an aftermarket steering wheel cover on it? Obviously a previous owner added that cover to the wheel. If you remove it you will find the factory leatherette cover or possibly no cover at all.
lotus_65
Jun 12 2005, 10:35 PM
QUOTE (lotus_65 @ Jun 12 2005, 07:34 PM) |
Unless I'm misinterpreting what you are describing.....Do you realize your steering wheel has an aftermarket steering wheel cover on it? Obviously a privious owner added that cover to the wheel. If you remove it you will find the factory leatherette cover or possibly no cover at all. |
...could be. the po musta made a good choice then!
Air_Cooled_Nut
Jun 13 2005, 09:31 AM
What it looks like from afar:
Air_Cooled_Nut
Jun 13 2005, 09:32 AM
Looks really nice. But those crackly crinkles look very similar to the ones I see on the driver's arm rest
Air_Cooled_Nut
Jun 13 2005, 09:34 AM
When taking a picture of the backside of the steering wheel I noticed the seam running around the circumference of the steering wheel wrap
Well, case solved, it's not leather because leather would be a solid piece of material with the only seam being where it's stitched to the steering wheel. Rats! Oh well, it looks and feels good
Rand
Jun 13 2005, 03:59 PM
Ok, so you don't have to resort to the match test (the one where you hold a match under it and see if it melts a hole in it or smells like steak).
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