Steering wheel question

[BimmerSooner]

This is really obscure, but maybe someone knows......

22 years ago a had a '72 02 in high school. I traded out the "bus" steering wheel for what I thought I remembered was a later model '02 steering wheel. It was slightly smaller in diameter and the part you gripped was foamy/cushion-like. I want one again.

I know in '74 they changed the steering wheel to the soft-centered one with the Roundel. However, 22 years later while shopping for a late model wheel, all I can find are the cushion centered ones with HARD grips. They feel just like and are the same diameter as the "bus" wheel.

So my question is....Did they ever make a steering wheel on an '02 that was foamy/cushion-like all over and smaller (15"), or did I have an e21 steering wheel that I always thought was an '02 wheel?

Thanks for the help!

[tinkidz]

(nt)

[esty]

as far as i know all the o2 wheels have a somewhat firm grip....in 1977, on the 320, the wheel size was reduced an inch and was a one piece wheel instead if the removable horn pad like the later model o2's and it's as you describe...it has a firm, foam grip...and the appearance was the same as the earlier ones

[BimmerSooner]

I must have had an e21 wheel.

I've done some more research since I posted and based upon some pictures I've seen they may have switched to the fulled padded steering wheel for the '76 model year and continued it into the e21 in '77.

Don't know for sure.

[esty]

i have a 320 wheel if you're interested.....unfortunately, the signal tab was broken in shipping...it could fix

[BimmerSooner]

I'm definitely interested....how much? I've found one for $30 but would rather buy from a honest to goodness '02 person. Is it in good shape?

Forgive my ignorance, but what exactly is the signal tab? Is it part of the steering wheel? I was just thinking the 320 wheel would fit right on the column without any adapter is that correct?

Thanks in advance.

Here's one like I'm talking about.

[esty]

I'm definitely interested....how much? I've found one for $30 but would rather buy from a honest to goodness '02 person. Is it in good shape?

donate $25 to the forum and i'll pick up the tab on shipping....but, if it was me, i'd buy the one with the intack signal tab

almost forgot...it's like new..cept the broken tab

if you want it you can email me thru the forum

[Biscuit3]

I have a steering wheel just like the one pictured as well. I made the mistake of changing mine two weeks ago and have had problems since. But anyway, none to do with the wheel, so yee, you got another one available to you if you or anybody else is interested. It's in very good condition!

[Mike Self]

black metal (not plastic) spokes (no horn pushes) and the horn button in the center, with a leather rim, it was an early sport steering wheel that was fitted to some 1970 and 71 USA cars...depending on which legend you wish to believe, the bus wheel mfg either had a fire or a strike in their factory, so BMW fitted these sport wheels to all USA cars until the bus wheels were back in production again.

The wheel described above is completely different from the "sport" steering wheels that are on e-bay from Europe these days--they have silver spokes with holes in 'em and a soft plastic rim.

mike

[Steve73tii]

Mike,

Do you know if this wheel was an available option in the US after '71? My '73 tii came with one and it has a "73" stamped into the hub. The similar euro wheels seem to have longitudinal slots in the spokes, which makes me wonder where mine came from.

Sorry for the thread jack,

Steve

EDIT: 'Came with one' when I bought it as a basket case last summer.

[Mike Self]

so...at least on USA cars that were delivered here. All sorts of strange things (and colors) ended up on USA spec cars that were delivered in Europe either as tourist or military sales....

All the ones I've seen on US cars have solid spokes--no slots or holes. Perhaps yours is either (a) and aftermarket wheel or ( somehow came from Europe either with your car as a Euro delivery or installed by a PO.

mike

[Steve73tii]

Yeah, solid spokes on my car, too (unlike, say, the Mobile Tradition "new" tii.)

So my steering wheel mystery continues... Maybe there will be clues when I get around to emailing BMW for my car's history.

Steve

[ingraham]

The one in my '76 has a padded rim. The '75s I've seen have a hard rim.