Nardi steering wheel - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

party · #16 10-27-2017, 12:13 PM

I'm not aware of any Nardi shift knobs compatible with MB autos.

I put a little woodgrain insert in my shift knob to tie the wheel and shifter together.

koooop · #17 10-27-2017, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redcamel

I bought a 1980 300sd a couple months ago and when I was looking at it to buy it one of the things that stood out was a wood steering wheel. I thought it was an aftermarket steering wheel until I saw a Craigslist ad in Seattle for a 450sel that showcased a wooden steering wheel just like the one in my car. I contacted the guy who told me they were a factory option and made in Italy by a guy named Nardi. He went on to say that in good shape they are worth a lot of money and challenged me to look them up on eBay. Sure enough the new ones are being sold for thousands of dollars and nice used ones for close to that.
Does anyone know what the extra price of one of these Nardi steering wheels was when sold as a factory option?

I worked at a dealership in 1980, never saw a factory installed Nardi wheel, all of our cars were loaded to the nuts. We did dealer installed Nardi wheels, my memory say $600+ at that time (my memory isn’t worth a ship)

t walgamuth · #18 10-27-2017, 11:01 PM

Its the second Nardi wheel I have owned. Although the rim is small the shape is perfect for your thumb to grip it securely. The Nardi in the Ferrari had a relatively mild finish on it which I stripped easily and coated simply with Tung oil. It looked fine and felt fine.

The newer wheel in my Studebaker (mounted on a MB steering shaft) is finished with some sort of epoxy I think and is chipped some but looks like it would be tough to strip.

I also want to polish the spokes professionally as my efforts have not given great results so far.

Both of these have a Nardi signature etched into a spoke where it is easily seen.

t walgamuth · #19 10-28-2017, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by party

I'm not aware of any Nardi shift knobs compatible with MB autos.

I put a little woodgrain insert in my shift knob to tie the wheel and shifter together.

That looks very nice!

party · #20 10-28-2017, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

That looks very nice!

Thanks very much, sir! Here's how it looks with the wheel.

What Ferrari is that Nardi you've got in?