Available for auction is a Porsche 356A T2 425mm steering wheel. The seller states the wheel was just restored by Koch’s Wheel Restoration out of Acton, California. The 425mm steering wheel was standard in T2 356A models, primarily coupes and cabriolets. It is 5mm larger in diameter than the 420mm steering wheels that came in earlier models.
During the restoration, the wheel was completely recast in its original shade of Ivory and all chrome was re-plated. The wheel comes with a full-circle ring, a horn button and all mounting hardware. The seller notes the horn button has only been partially restored but the chrome is uniform in coloration despite the light distortion seen in the photos (see gallery). The seller also notes the traditional VDM logo is absent from the horn button so it might not be the original button but certainly period correct.
The seller states the steering wheel and its button were part of a larger parts collection that came with his 1958 T2 Speedster race car. Though not installed at time of purchase, it is assumed the steering wheel was original to the car as it was an option for all 58’ 356 models at the time. The steering wheel hub has been signed by Jaime Koch. The buyer is responsible for shipping, shipping insurance, handling and transactional fees.
Comments (24)
Sold for $2,000
Offer in the amount of $2,000
As we approach the end of my auction, I'd like to thank everyone for their interest and support. BTW, we are close to my reserve price based on historical sales data, but we're not there yet. And so, my advice is to step up a bit if you really want this beautiful wheel!
@mharmon944,@Raylam88: thank you for your continued interest!
Bid in the amount of $1,600
Bid in the amount of $1,525
@mharmon944, @Raylam88: thank you for your bids!
For those folks who may want to view this wheel in a current car, please visit the Worldwide Auctioneers' Scottsdale auction, which features a silver '58 Speedster with a 425mm wheel (shown in its photo gallery).
Here is a link to that auction:
https://listings.worldwideauctioneers.com/product/1958-porsche-356a-speedster-2/
Bid in the amount of $1,300
Bid in the amount of $1,200
@ronn356 Thanks for the info. I love the looks of this style as yours and the early Mercedes. I have seen the aftermarket ones on different sites. My 356 is a well sorted original unit . An original swap was a thought, thank again for the info.
@WGris: when a steering wheel like the one in this example is restored at Koch's, the wheel frame is stripped of its original (and often cracked, chipped, or whatever condition) wheel plastic. Then the framework is cleaned, repaired as needed, rechromed, and the wheel part that you grasp is recast in a mold to become as-new. In this case the horn ring and hub are also painted to match.
@justlookin1: the steering shaft was a big-spline unit for the A cars. while later models like yours had a fine-spline. I don't know of a hub adapter that would work for your 65. However, in case this would help, there are some fine alternative steering wheel choices for your car at ClassicoWheels.com.
Curious question. Would spline hole on this steering wheel be the same as the spline shaft on a 1965 356? I know it's to early for my 65, like the looks of this wheel.
Amazing steering wheel. Please explain what is meant when it says that “…the wheel was completely recast.” GLWTA!
@Raylam88: thank you for your bid!
Bid in the amount of $1,050
@ronn356 looks amazing good luck with the bids
@the.car.museum Yes, the steering wheel was totally restored by Koch's, which is the go-to steering wheel resto shop for Porsche fans. The horn button was not restored by them; it was already in pretty good shape, but it has a slight surface crack in its center.
Was this refurbished? Looks to good to not be. Amazing example
@mharmon, @ToddStorm,@jentex Thank you, initial bidders, for your bids.
And thanks also for the comment from Jentex ; a popular steering wheel!
This is the nicest one I have seen in a long while. Ring and condition are spot on. Sorry I don't have an A car for it. My all original 1957 Super Speedster had this steering wheel. Good luck.
Bid in the amount of $1,000
Bid in the amount of $100
Hello everyone and welcome to my auction of my 1958 T2 steering wheel! It came with my T2 Speedster project, and because the car had been outfitted as a hillclimb racer and retains that configuration, I decided to keep the Racemark wheel in the car for historical reasons and sell the 425mm. For those folks who question whether a 425 was outfitted in Speedsters, I included a photo of Steve McQueen's T2 with the same 425 steering wheel in his.
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.