Rimblow Steering Wheel Options (GT/GS)

**Polyal** · 28-07-2020, 09:14 AM

Such an unfortunate name....

But, a cool design, just wondering if anyone has had any experience with buying the reproduction versions available now and are you happy with the quality?

Seems some reconditioned "original" wheels go for $1000-1500.

Repro can be had for $990.

Do used/not repaired wheels command big $$ as is it even worth while?

It is for my ZF, so its not ever going to be a GT/GS $$ car but I wanted a nice wheel that is period correct in style. I really dont care if its not got the original sweat stain from a Ford line worker.

So examples below;

Repro:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FORD-Xw-...torefresh=true

Better woodgrain? That will cost you another $700!

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FORD-FAL....c100167.m2940

Mustang? Whats the difference?

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ford-XW-...Cclp%3A2334524

A survivor! But no chicken poop?

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/XY-XW-FO....c100010.m2109

Is there any noticeable difference between original and repro?

**FairmontGS** · 28-07-2020, 02:28 PM

Shouldn't you be looking at XA-B GS wheels? Is your horn on the indicator?

**Polyal** · 28-07-2020, 02:35 PM

No I dont believe it is, its on the steering wheel pad on the outer edges

Fed · 28-07-2020, 03:31 PM

I got a rimblow in a 74 LTD.
I think that was standard in them.

**Polyal** · 28-07-2020, 03:47 PM

LTD's did have them standard with different pads and logo in the middle.

I quite like the GS logo style but the GT might look better in my car.

Either way still interested in people thoughts on repro quality.

my67xr · 28-07-2020, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FairmontGS

Shouldn't you be looking at XA-B GS wheels? Is your horn on the indicator?

XA GS/GT's had the horn on steering wheel, rubber horn ring on the inner edge of the wheel

XB GS/GT had the horn on the indicator arm, just had a dummy rim rubber

No horn contact's on the back

And @Polyal; yeah you'll need an XA GS/GT steering wheel (they have horn contact ring's on the back of the wheel, XB GS/GT dont) not XW/XY GS/GT to keep to the original style wheel of the era.

pottery beige · 28-07-2020, 05:55 PM

rim

blow

he he he

**FairmontGS** · 28-07-2020, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

No I dont believe it is, its on the steering wheel pad on the outer edges

OK. Not working?

Express · 28-07-2020, 06:00 PM

I often blow the horn when I turn a corner, the neighbours think I'm super friendly.

.

**Polyal** · 29-07-2020, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FairmontGS

OK. Not working?

No works fine, I just want a more appealing wheel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by my67xr

And @Polyal; yeah you'll need an XA GS/GT steering wheel (they have horn contact ring's on the back of the wheel, XB GS/GT dont) not XW/XY GS/GT to keep to the original style wheel of the era.

Interesting, the seller for this wheel said it will bolt up and have the horn functional.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/333261393415?ul_noapp=true

This is the only add I have found that states "XA" but it could be just a tag to get hits.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FORD-FAL...frcectupt=true

my67xr · 29-07-2020, 07:35 AM

Yeah it will, but it's not the right style steering wheel for the year of the ZF

**Polyal** · 29-07-2020, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my67xr

Yeah it will, but it's not the right style steering wheel for the year of the ZF

Which one is the right style? Anything is going to be better than the stock one

my67xr · 29-07-2020, 08:14 AM

The XA GS/GT wheel is the same era as the ZF, 1972-1973
I.m pretty sure that the XA and onward's steering wheel's, where they meet the steering column, are slightly bigger diameter than the XX/XY wheel's
So if you had an XW/XY wheel it may not match the size of the column and have a gap around it.

I have a honey pot off an XR-XY that i can measure, i'll let you know

my67xr · 29-07-2020, 09:01 AM

XY honeypot measure's 90mm, XA is 100mm
There would be a 5mm gap around the back of the steering wheel to the Honeypot if you fitted an XW/XT steering wheel

**Polyal** · 29-07-2020, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my67xr

XY honeypot measure's 90mm, XA is 100mm
There would be a 5mm gap around the back of the steering wheel to the Honeypot if you fitted an XW/XT steering wheel

Thank you very much, ill have to check with the sellers of the repro ones.

So the base of the steering wheel that mounts to the column is 5mm different so if I fitted the XW/XY then there would be that 5mm step up to the honeypot.

Most probably wont notice it but now I know its a possibility that will erk me.

So ill need to ask if the base of the wheel is 100mm or 90mm (repro)?

my67xr · 29-07-2020, 09:24 AM

Yeah the XW/XY wheel will probably be a bit under 90mm as there's a slight raised lip on the back of the steering wheel that sit's inside the honeypot to give it a sort of seamless finish

The reason i know this is i have an XA steering column in my 67 XR, i am running an XA GS steering wheel in it as the XY GT steering wheel had a 5mm gap all the way around it and it annoyed me
The 72 Mustang Rimblow steering wheel look's and fit's the same as the XA GS/GT, i cant pick a difference side by side
The mustang's have a few different colour wheel's available too, some darker, some lighter etc

**Polyal** · 29-07-2020, 09:55 AM

Ill flick the guy selling the "mustang" wheel as its a couple hundred cheaper to and see if those dimensions and fit are right.

Cant be to expensive to buy a GT/GS center cap for them anyway and id almost wager those "GT/GS Falcon" wheels are the same thing.

last fairlane · 01-08-2020, 10:15 AM

I can remember when XWs and XYs came out you could buy the GS pack for $149 it consisted of the rim blow wheel the GT dash chrome full size hubcaps a clock and of course the GS stripes jesus Im getting old

Crazy Dazz · 01-08-2020, 03:28 PM

Upon opening the thread, my first thought was why not get something from the USA?
Bound to be plenty of quality re-pros available, at reasonable prices, for a variety of models.

And I'm sure most of our early wheels were based on US designs. In fact wasn't there a thing with some Aussie cars (LTDs???) being fitted with (Mercury) Cougar wheels?

Good Variety here:
https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/m.html?_...ucts&_nkw=ford

As for being "appropriate", IMHO if you're not fitting a perfect replica of the original,
then picking something you like, which is "close enough", is ok.
ie: it doesn't make much sense to insist that it needs to be a XW, or XA, or whatever. If it's not the same as an original ZF, or an original option, then it's owner's choice, and providing it fits and looks "era appropriate" that's fine.