28-early29 steering wheel - maybe?

[pgerhardt]

I may have acquired a very nice 28-early29 steering wheel (picture 1). It was advertised on E-bay as a "nice model A steering wheel painted with primer. Well it did not look like primer to me, so I bid on it and got it for under $40. It arrived today and I took a very small sample in an inconspicuous spot (picture 2) to see if the red/brown color was only skin deep. Nope red/brown through and through! I have two questions:

1. Is there anything I can look for to determine whether this is an original red/brown steering wheel or an old repop?
2. Before I install it in my 29 tudor, (The engine/frame number of my tudor dates it to January 1929. So I can get away with using a "red wheel".) do you have any suggestions on a finish I could apply to it to preserve it and prevent red transfer to my hands?

Thanks in advance

[Jim Mason]

Look on the back of the hub. drake made a repop

[2manycars]

My january 10 tudor has a red wheel.

[LopezCarguy]

yes, apply liquid gold furniture polish..it will make it like new and no sticky stuff on hands..

[Tom Wesenberg]

You made a good purchase, but I wouldn't have notched it. I have a Drake wheel, and they are the best repro made. Bob Drake hasn't made them for years, but you can still buy quality red wheels from at least Bert's and Synder's. I don't think you will have the problem of red rubbing off, like the original red wheels have.

[Gary Karr]

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You've got a nice replacement red splined steering wheel and a bargain at that price. It unfortunately is not original as mentioned above. Originals did not cover the center hub in red rubber as yours is. Also, check the back of the hub. It also should be free of any red rubber covering and display four indented round holes between the rivets. In addition to that, there should be a number on one of the spokes on the back side, about 3/4" from the metal hub.

[pgerhardt]

Thanks for the info everyone! I am satisfied with a nice older repop. It will make a nice addition to my early 29 tudor.