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The Cars => 1965 GT350/R-Model => Topic started by: 6s1640 on March 15, 2026, 04:41:38 PM

Title: Hub - Steering wheel 1965 GT350 height
Post by: 6s1640 on March 15, 2026, 04:41:38 PM
Hi all

Years ago, I picked up a S1MS 1965 GT350 wood steering wheel hub. At the time I was under the impression it was a later hub that was taller than the earlier hubs.  After SAAC 50, looking at early 65 GT350's hubs, I'm not so sure it's a later hub.  All the early cars had hubs that were 2 inches tall. This one is 2 inches tall, so is it an early hub?  Any education on the hub heights and variations would be appreciated. Please see attached images.
Thanks
Cory
Title: Re: Hub - Steering wheel 1965 GT350 height
Post by: Bob Gaines on March 15, 2026, 05:01:14 PM
Quote from: 6s1640 on March 15, 2026, 04:41:38 PMHi all

Years ago, I picked up a S1MS 1965 GT350 wood steering wheel hub. At the time I was under the impression it was a later hub that was taller than the earlier hubs.  After SAAC 50, looking at early 65 GT350's hubs, I'm not so sure it's a later hub.  All the early cars had hubs that were 2 inches tall. This one is 2 inches tall, so is it an early hub?  Any education on the hub heights and variations would be appreciated. Please see attached images.
Thanks
Cory
I believe that the earlier hubs were aluminum and they evolved to the chromed diecast like your picture.
Title: Re: Hub - Steering wheel 1965 GT350 height
Post by: 6s1640 on March 15, 2026, 06:19:50 PM
Hi Bob,

OK, Shelby American save some money by going to the diecast. So it is a later version.  Are all the middle and later hubs same height as the early version?

Are there three versions?

1). First hundred cars with aluminum hub with the early 16 inch  wood steering wheel?  2 inches tall.

2) Is  there a second hub for the mid production wood wheel with the holes in the spokes?  Unique to this mid production wheel?

3) Die-cast chrome hub used with the later  15 inch wood wheel?  2 inches tall.  Same interface to the 16 inch wheel, but no retaining washer?

Cory
Title: Re: Hub - Steering wheel 1965 GT350 height
Post by: joephil on March 15, 2026, 06:52:35 PM
The first hundred or so cars equipped with the 16-inch steering wheel had a unique hub assembly consisting of two parts: an aluminum hub and the part shown at the bottom of your picture IMG_4622 (or at the top in image IMG_4623).

The S1MS hub is taller than the aluminum hub.
Title: Re: Hub - Steering wheel 1965 GT350 height
Post by: 98SVT - was 06GT on March 15, 2026, 08:14:21 PM
I think the aluminum washer was only used on the first adapters. I'll have to look at my orig diecast adapter & wheel. I don't remember if the wheel has holes or slots. It doesn't have a washer.
Title: Re: Hub - Steering wheel 1965 GT350 height
Post by: 6s1640 on March 15, 2026, 10:28:02 PM
Here is an image of 5R002.  Looks like a die cast chrome hub with 16 wood wheel.
Title: Re: Hub - Steering wheel 1965 GT350 height
Post by: 6s1640 on March 15, 2026, 10:31:07 PM
Here is a mid production car.  Looks like a die cast chrome hub.
Title: Re: Hub - Steering wheel 1965 GT350 height
Post by: 6s1640 on March 15, 2026, 10:41:55 PM
Here is a  car with what looks like an aluminum hub, but 15 inch wood wheel, no retaining washer.
Title: Re: Hub - Steering wheel 1965 GT350 height
Post by: 98SVT - was 06GT on March 15, 2026, 11:17:08 PM
Quote from: 6s1640 on March 15, 2026, 10:28:02 PMHere is an image of 5R002.  Looks like a die cast chrome hub with 16 wood wheel.
Is that in period or later?