All of my M-B's are new enough that they have black plastic steering wheels with no separate horn ring...what year is the cutoff for the huge white wheel with horn ring? I may have to get an older car just to get one with that wheel. Dumb reason to buy a car, but what the heck, huh?

__________________
2002 Ford ZX2
2 x 2013 Honda Civics

Both my early '60s Benzes have ivory-colored steering wheels with round shiny chrome horn rings. My '66 Fintail brochure also shows all the cars with ivory wheels, but the shiny chrome horn rings have the top portion flattened, probably to better see the instrument cluster. Through 1973, The large hard plastic steering wheels were still used on the lesser Mercedes cars, though the chrome horn ring now had a satin finish to reduce glare.
My '73 W114/115 Mercedes brochure shows only black steering wheels so I don't know if the ivory steering wheel was still availible.
For '74, the fully cushioned 'safety' steering wheel and horn pad, previously introduced on the S/SL cars, was finally fitted to the lesser models.

Happy Motoring, Mark

__________________
DrDKW

i loved that steering wheel on my 62 fintail.

had a very similar one on my 51 caddy. loved it too.

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I think you can put the old steering wheel off a 220D and put it on a wi23 but you must take the spacer part with the wheel. I soon shall know because I am going to try to put a w123 wheel on a 220d. Not as pretty but a lot safer in a wreck that is a sport I engage in often with deer, trees, ditches, very large pot holes and mountain sides. The w115 1975 and 1976 come with the newer crash impact designed steering wheel.
Dave S

Just saw a '72 280SE 4.5 on eBay tonight and it had an ivory steering wheel, so I guess they were still availible up through the early '70s.

Happy Motoring, Mark

__________________
DrDKW

I was looking at a 1970 280SEL on ebay...it had a huge wheel, but black. I understand the ivory wheel was optional?! Thank God I have room where I work to store some of these cars, my wife may murder me if I buy any more.

__________________
2002 Ford ZX2
2 x 2013 Honda Civics

Correct .. Ivory Colored SW was Option code 55/1. Otherwisw all models came with Blk SW.
Flattened horn ring was changed in 7/67.