Modern Bullitt Charger build

[keepat]

As I look at the size of that car as compared to my 51, I think, that's a lot of blocking to get it right. I believe that car is going to be right when you're finished. It's a little sad that not everybody understands " Bullitt".

Yes, a lot of block sanding thanks for reminding me ;-(
I think with a rewrite of the story and the right actors Bullitt could be a cool remake! I'm thinking a black Hellcat Charger and a green Shelby.
Thanks
Pat

[keepat]

Finished up 90% of the seam sealer including a lot of areas the factory did not do that I had to use a pick tool prior to priming to remove the stones, grease and grime from the past 50 years. The beige seam sealer is 3M's fast and firm #08505. Easy-to-use, you can smooth out with a wet finger and 2 hours later you can clean up any mistakes with a rag and lacquer thinner.

[Motown 454]

Nice and neat!

[wfo guy]

Looks good, Pat.

[keepat]

I've been laid up for a few weeks with some hernia surgery but I use this downtime to work on modifying the woodgrain steering wheel for the car. I love the look of the woodgrain wheel but driving my silver charger it was never comfortable handling the steering wheel as it's so thin. So I decided to modify this wood wheel to have a much larger modern size grip. I did not want to enlarge the diameter of the wheel as there already a little large compared to modern cars so I moved the inner ring in by about 3/8 of an inch. To do this I had to cut the S/S inner ring at all three spokes and weld it smaller in diameter and then Cut a new slot in all three spokes to hold the ring in its new location. While I have the steering wheel out for re-plating the spokes I need to brainstorm how I'm going to remake the larger plastic wood grain handle??? Suggestions welcomed!
Thanks
Pat

[wfo guy]

Pat, there is a guy who does steering wheel restoration that advertises in most of the serious publications. He would be my first choice. I have his card in my collection. If you want me to dig through and find it I will. He will be able to tell you if it's doable or you're fixing to make your own answer. I Hope you're healing well.

[Peter Mc Mahon]

what about cutting off the metal ring around the outside [that you just welded on] and then replace it with flat steel cut out to the round shape. Apply wood on the face and the backside then router/shape it . The thickness of the flat bar would be visible so maybe use stainless.

[keepat]

Pat, there is a guy who does steering wheel restoration that advertises in most of the serious publications. He would be my first choice. I have his card in my collection. If you want me to dig through and find it I will. He will be able to tell you if it's doable or you're fixing to make your own answer. I Hope you're healing well.

I have talked to Gray's Steering Wheels and he was not interested in taking on the project and there was one other Steering Wheel shop that estimated it would cost about $1,200 ;-( so I plan on doing it!
Thanks
Pat

[keepat]

what about cutting off the metal ring around the outside [that you just welded on] and then replace it with flat steel cut out to the round shape. Apply wood on the face and the backside then router/shape it . The thickness of the flat bar would be visible so maybe use stainless.

I wish Dodge originally made it with real wood but as it is cheap fake wood grain I would like to keep cheap fake wood grain so it looks original ;-)
Thank you!
Pat

[wfo guy]

I have a thought: What if you roll a ring of 3/4 shaft for the ring of the wheel, weld it to the spokes and then coat it with epoxy like JB weld. When it's shaped properly, you put a skim coat of something on it and wrap it with a wax coated vinyl that has the texture of the original wheel on it. After it drys you remove the cover and see if it looks as it should. The restoration guy I mentioned had a booth at the LA Roadster show 2 years ago. I didn't find his card where I thought I put it.

[JayinMI]

I wish Dodge originally made it with real wood but as it is cheap fake wood grain I would like to keep cheap fake wood grain so it looks original ;-)
Thank you!
Pat

You could make it, and have it hydrowrapped. But it has to be waterproof, so you wouldn't want to make the ring out of actual wood
or anything like that?

Jay

[jlcustomz]

Hey Pat, been kinda laid up myself last few weeks after having my arm cut open from glass at work, so I can relate there. I also assume you're like me &won't pay any high price you don't have to for a project that only takes well above average skill.

Got a few possible thoughts for your wheel. Basically all would be making a 2 pc sandwich assembly which could be glued together. All would be labor intensive, but being it's round you could set up something to work like a round plate on a wood lathe to spin it to help form , sand , etc.
If you're set on fake wood & having hydrocoated or faux painted, fiberglass construction could be an option, whether with polyester or the more difficult to work with but better epoxy resins.

Real wood could be an option. You could one up the rest of the interior with real wood to match. transparent epoxy for glue & several coats of high solids automotive clear will seal it. Wood would be easier to final sand if glued together.

Either route you go having a proper looking profile will make or break it as far as looking proper or home made. Also do yourself a favor & cut finger grips in the backside.

Anther construction idea in my head is to make both rings to attach to the rechromed steel bar & inner ring with sunken exposed stainless allen screws, leaving a portion of the inner & outer ring exposed. Kinda like my custom handmade shifter in the below pic. Steering wheel in pic is a now discontinued La Carra wood wheel.

I occasionally do a little professional woodworking besides my own out there projects.

[JayinMI]

Got a few possible thoughts for your wheel. Basically all would be making a 2 pc sandwich assembly which could be glued together. All would be labor intensive, but being it's round you could set up something to work like a round plate on a wood lathe to spin it to help form , sand , etc.
If you're set on fake wood & having hydrocoated or faux painted, fiberglass construction could be an option, whether with polyester or the more difficult to work with but better epoxy resins.



Anther construction idea in my head is to make both rings to attach to the rechromed steel bar & inner ring with sunken exposed stainless allen screws, leaving a portion of the inner & outer ring exposed. Kinda like my custom handmade shifter in the below pic.

Or you could use acrylic. Maybe 2 pieces of 1/2" thick acrylic. Shape it on a normal router table. You could use a few screws from behind, and an acrylic cement to bond it together. Then hydrowrap. Just a thought.

Edit: I was browsing a build thread on 67-72 trucks, and found a guy who used hyrdo wrapping on some of his interior panels and steering wheel:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...postcount=1520

[Motown 454]

jlcustomz ,JayinMI Wow some gret ideas.

[keepat]

jlcustomz ,JayinMI Wow some gret ideas.

YES! all very good ideas! you have me thinking!
Thank you!
Pat

[no_go nico]

subbed. nice build!

[OLDFLM]

3D printer?

[Motown 454]

3D printer?

Now that's a good idea!

[OLDFLM]

Seems possible and maybe even practical...

https://gigaom.com/2014/02/25/this-i...od-looks-like/

I'm sure someone on here could program the design and or print it for Pat if he bought the wood filament?

[JayinMI]

3D printer?

From what I've seen, 3d printers don't leave a smooth surface, so you'd have to smooth it all out before use.
Just something to consider.

Jay