Is this a Javelin steering wheel?

[jonathanrippon]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/classic-car- ... Sw7vxbhuZs

It looks like it to my untutored eye and it’s infinitely better condition than mine so I’m interested...

[Nick Webster]

No it is not a Jowett wheel. Looks something like a Morris Oxford to me. Where the auction wheel measures 11cm across, the Javelin wheel is only 8.5cm. (just nipped out for a quick measure up).

By the way, I don't know what age car you have but note that at first Javelin steering wheels had a key way but later wheels were splined. It is not at all unusual to find early cars fitted with later steering boxes and vice versa so worth a check if you have not done so already.

Nick

[jonathanrippon]

Cheers that’s really helpful. Mine is the keyed type (and is the other style) but I suspect via the club is the best way of sourcing a better wheel.

Regards,
Jonathan

[Keith Clements]

Good wheels are hard to come by as the resin deteriorates. They can be recoated. See topics in JT.

[jonathanrippon]

Thanks Keith. Alas the gentleman who ran ‘Wheelwrights’ in Morecambe has passed away however I have had good reports about a Kent based firm called steering wheel restorations. I could try and DIY but the rim is very badly cracked with pieces missing.

[jonathanrippon]

I pulled my wheel out to examine, it’s definitely beyond a DIY repair and would need recasting.

If anyone has a better wheel I would be interested (I don’t mind if its cracked and needs some love but not totally destroyed like mine!)

[Keith Clements]

JCS or another member should have a better wheel, but take off all the resin, clean up the metal and see what condition it is in. If not too bad then consider refurb.
A mold can be made from a good wheel, the molding can be tidied up and painted. Some have even reproduced the marble effect of some originals.

[ajackson]

John Morgan from the shop turns your wheel into a wooden-rimmed wheel.

Keith's suggestion is good, for smaller cracks JBWeld Steelstik is recommended, I suspect an epoxy liquid would be the
way to go with making the entire rim via a mold. Yours is certainly saveable.

A good "as new" wheel is expensive.

[jonathanrippon]

Many thanks

[Keith Clements]

I have a wooden wheel in mahogony made by the late Ben Shaw. Beautiful but is was not allowed for racing because of splinters. Mind you you can get some nasty splinters off a deteriorating original! I have a leather cover for such an eventuallity. I had a remoulded wheel that I think ended up on Peter Pfister's Jav.

[David Morris]

Hi,

I had a Javelin that was in a lock-up for some years ( now rescued and back on the road, but that's another story ). Her steering wheel deteriorated and the original plastic seemed to dissolve into a nasty 'goo' that dripped onto the seat below. I have been told that wheels have been remoulded by using the plastics employed by dentists to fashion false teeth! But, as Keith says, a steering wheel glove in soft leather masks a lot of the problems.

However, I do know that there is a huge difference in the smart appearance of a 'Hunting Horn' wheel with the 'full view' spoke arrangement with a black rim, compared with the older 120 degree spoke arrangement! Chalk and cheese! If you have a good one, look after it, but I suspect strong sunlight does't help? It's probably all down to the chemical stabilisers used in the original moulding process, but I am no chemist!

All the best and looking forward to freedom!

David

[David Kemp]

Was the "hunting horn" a Jowett part or were they aftermarket?
I am still looking for one with no success.

[Keith Clements]

I think they were provided by Jowett to celebrate a rally victory . An Archive search revealed an advert selling one in Dec 2004 Jowetteer Page 27. Amazing what you can find on JowettTalk!