DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

Ferry Man wrote:Fortunately the original wheel came with my car.
It was in good shape but the leather was hardened with age

The wheel was at least complete and only really needed recovering.

pht9 wrote:It was expertly renovated by Jonathan Parr

I didn't realise JP did the later three spoke wheels. But I did want to get my wheel recovered.
I had seen some excellent work done by Jon (DustyM on this forum) and noticed he'd recently done an early Carrera wheel.
The leather covers needed for an early wheel are different to the pre-cut leather kits you can buy for the similar ('77-onwards) SC three spoke wheels.

The wheel I'd seen produced by Jon had the correct single seam (centre, bottom) and good grade leather with neat & consistent stitching.
So I packed it up and shipped it off to Ireland.
He did a grand job for a very reasonable price and even delivered it in person to my house. What service. Thanks a million.

Newly recovered:

And what a fabulous result. It looks great.
I'm sure the leather will take on a bit of 'shine' in use and I can't wait to start breaking it in.

An original wheel & a freshly recovered wheel.
The leather on the new will soon take on a 'patina'.

On the original wheel the leather on the spokes is trimmed with a cut straight across but to my eye it looks a bit unfinished.
I've chosen to extend the leather under the centre cover to help visually mask the transition between leather & plastic.

This is an original wheel:


On mine the leather extends a little further under the plastic cover (both front and - in this pic - the back).

pht9 wrote:the Prototipo feels a bit flimsy compared with the feel, grip and rigidity of the Carrera wheel.

I count myself a fan of the Carrera wheel too.
And this one is now a beauty.

Ferry Man wrote:

pht9 wrote:I am about to fit one of these onto my SCR, as the current Prototipo feels a bit flimsy (it flexes) compared with the feel, grip and rigidity of the Carrera wheel.

I does feel like a nice wheel. I don't doubt the later wheels help your view of the dials but they don't feel as good in the hand.

pht9 wrote:I am having a 70mm spacer made for it, to bring it closer to me. It will sit between the original crash structure bub and the steering wheel frame.

That's quite some spacer. 70mm? Wow. Good idea on the placement though. I'm guessing the plastic trim to the back will no longer be able to be used?

Yes, will run without the plastic housing or the horn pad, the bare wheel is heavy enough on its own !

RSR and 934 models used this wheel in its bare form, possibly SCRS too, but a fully trimmed version

What do we think of these bonnet stripes?
Are they seventies cool? Or not?
They were an option for 1974 and were called ‘Safety Flashes’.

There were 4 different colours offered, Black, Gold, Orange & Green.

This is a period advert showing the stripes fitted.

Mmmmmm, Gold Targa + Gold Cookie Cutters. Cooooooool.

No. No. No.

Ferry Man wrote:There were 4 different colours offered, Black, Gold, Orange & Green.

Oooooooohh yesss, orange on black.
If I ever returned mine back to standard I would have to do that...very cool...


Which one are you using Paul....

jtparr wrote:Which one are you using Paul....

Well, in an unusual act of restraint for me, I think I'm siding with Gary at the moment....

Gary71 wrote:No. No. No.

Here's an evocative image. Looks like a wonderful track-day from the late seventies.
You can see a couple of cars fitted with the stripes.

^^^^ and there's always one guy who goes up the pit lane the wrong way. Reminds me of Silverstone 2007