Hub - Steering wheel 1965 GT350 height

[6s1640]

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

[Bob Gaines]

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

I believe that the earlier hubs were aluminum and they evolved to the chromed diecast like your picture.

[6s1640]

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

[joephil]

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.

[98SVT - was 06GT]

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.

[6s1640]

Here is an image of 5R002.  Looks like a die cast chrome hub with 16 wood wheel.

[6s1640]

Here is a mid production car.  Looks like a die cast chrome hub.

[6s1640]

Here is a  car with what looks like an aluminum hub, but 15 inch wood wheel, no retaining washer.

[98SVT - was 06GT]

Here is an image of 5R002.  Looks like a die cast chrome hub with 16 wood wheel.

Is that in period or later?

[Vernon Estes]

Here is a  car with what looks like an aluminum hub, but 15 inch wood wheel, no retaining washer.

I believe aluminum hubs in the dimensions of the diecast/chrome hub have always been available. Either this is one of those or maybe its chrome is just wore out?

The solid aluminum hub used with the 16 inch steering wheel is pretty noticeably thinner than the diecast chrome hub.

This was to compensate for the greater "dish" of the 16inch wheel. The 16 inch wheel has approx 2inch dish from the hub mating surface to the center of the wood rim... the 15 inch wheel I believe has approx a 1.5 inch dish. The only original 15 inch slotted wheel I currently have here to measure is in need of restoration and is bent but pretty sure that's an accurate number.

Kind regards
Vern

[6s1640]

Here is an image of 5R002.  Looks like a die cast chrome hub with 16 wood wheel.

Is that in period or later?

Hi,  This photo of 5R002 was taken at SAAC 50 dinner at the COBRA Experience.  It is likely not originator to the car.  But I know when this car was restored, much care was given to originality.

Cory

[6s1640]

Hi Vern,

Can you get an image and post? "The solid aluminum hub used with the 16 inch steering wheel is pretty noticeably thinner than the die cast chrome hub".

Thanks

Cory

[Vernon Estes]

Here you are! Not the greatest angle but this is the shorter, solid aluminum hub used with the 16 inch wheel. This is 5R002 testing at riverside. I was trying to find a picture of 002 at Green Valley later... I assume that the hub was changed prior to the race since the car was restored to "as race" on that day specifically.

[Vernon Estes]

I'll get a better pic of the hub on the Group 2 when im at the building (most likely tomorrow)

[TA Coupe]

It's hard to say what the thickness of the hub is, as it appears to go down inside the top of the steering column so you can't see the whole thing.

      Roy