For those of you with either tired leather-wrapped OEM steering wheels or WISH yours was leather wrapped like the factory specials, I have found a great solution. My search began after a great friend in New Zealand agreed to part with his uber-rare steering wheel off a JDM 80 SE-Limited he was selling. (Thank you, Sean! - owner of one of the worlds most beautiful R130 Luce Coupes) In Japan these models were offered, in addition to leather interiors, rear wipers and power windows (this is an _SA_ we are talking about remember!) - they also sold these specials with a polished _silver_ metal-spoked steering wheel. For those of you with Black-interiors, you might imagine how something with a bit of bling like this could really pop in there!

Well, it arrived and, not unexpectedly for a 30+ yr old wheel, the rim was looking pretty tired. The spokes polished up nicely but the leather needed re-doing. This is where the folks at www.craftcustoms.com of Texas came in. 2 weeks and $250 later I got back a better-than new wheel, beautifully stitched per OEM style (I supplied pix from an NOS leather wheel I have but am too chicken to, you know, actually use...). I say better because the quality of hide is thicker than OEM and this is a good thing. I include my out-of-the-box shot and a close up to show the stitch detail. It is a thing of beauty and - as _the_ primary contact with your car and the driving experience, it brings the whole drive to a new level, let me tell you. For me personally there is the extra Buzz from the polished spokes to liven up the drive too - tho I got myself in trouble at first admiring the bling at speed

Now if $250 sounds dear, let me remind all that a NEW OEM leather wheel retailed for an eye-watering $910! Yeah. And how many did they sell I wonder?

Check out the site - talk to Carter there. Great communicator, called me several times about progress, when it shipped and even called back to tell me he found a cheaper shipping method. All this service and a 1 yr warranty. Great piece of eye candy you'll enjoy every time you climb in...

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

I like it....that wheel looks sick installed.

 

Beautiful. Steering wheel is so important to the car's appearance, it's what you have the most tactile and constant contact with.

 

That is one of the best RX-7 interior photos ever.

Thanks a bunch Stu for passing along your experience, along with the lead to craftcustoms.com.

 

wow, that is a SUPER BEAUTIFUL steering wheel!! not only had i never seen pictures of one off the car, i had never thought they would look so nice! outstanding score of a piece of unobtanium!

 

Definitely useful info. I have an SA wheel in my FB because I like the spoke design better, but it's the rubber type and I've barely driven the car with that wheel in it and the rubber is already starting to deteriorate where I put my hands. I was thinking about getting it covered in leather. Looks great Stu.

 

Thanks All.
Just spreading the love, fellas - hope any one who makes the leap is as tickled as I am. Almost regret installing it so late in the season since its snow-time here in Alaska now. Should have kept it in my man-cave to oogle over the winter! $$ well spent, at least for me...


Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

money definatly well spent! the steering wheel and the seats really add to the beauty of the interior without safraficing any of the functionality or the classic look.

 

Looks awesome - on a side note, where did you get your shifter boot?

 

Had it custom made - will detail that in another post...

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska