ISO: Steering wheel restoration (Vintage "Alpina" Prototipo)

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dougmeyer

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I have what appears to be quite a special vintage steering wheel (that is, if it's not a fake, and I can't say yet with 100% certainty that it's not): A 350mm flat “Alpina” branded Momo Prototipo. Based on information found online, it appears to have been made in the late '60s to early ‘70s. I bought the steering wheel last year, and the seller kindly included the car to which it was most recently attached : 1971 Euro-spec BMW 2002, built up as an Alpina Tribute. Given that the car is not an authentic Alpina, I can’t be certain of the steering wheel's provenance or its authenticity. The seller said only that it had been purchased from a 3rd party.

The wheel was very poorly restored at some point before I bought it. The grip is very mushy, the stitching is completely wrong, and mediocre leather has been used. It is so mushy that given the lack of power steering and the small diameter of the wheel, control of the car is so compromised that I have removed it and installed a current model 370mm Prototipo.

I am interested in finding a highly skilled and qualified person or business to faithfully restore it to its original condition. I'll tag 2 members here who may have more specific knowledge for me:

@Markos - Years ago (2017) on bmw2002faq, you posted a restored vintage 370mm Prototipo for sale which you said you had restored in Europe by a skilled craftsman, about whom you said was "able to closely and accurately reproduce the complex momo stitch pattern. The work is absolutely stunning." I'd love to know who this person is. The photos you offered in the post seemed to back up your claim.

@Hans W. - Based purely on a quick search of threads on the forum, it appears you are armpit-deep in all things steering wheels, and my hope is that you might also be of some help to me.

I truly appreciate all advice and recommendations.

Thanks,

Doug

Attached are a few pics of my Prototipo in its current abused and disrespected state.

Also, here is a Dropbox link that illustrates how mushy the grip is.

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com www.dropbox.com
 

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Try Chris Scow at leather wheels.com. I am not sure if he is doing them any more .He has done 3 for me and the quality is first rate. He does not charge extra for stitch type or thread color. He also did my shift knob and brake handle to match. The last wheel he did for me had the foam missing or falling out and he remedied that for me
 
Well...

Bad news: leatherwheels.com is no more.

Good news: After a little internet sleuthing, I found Chris Scow's phone number and just spoke with him.

Bad news: He has officially called it quits on the steering wheel recover/restore biz.

Good news: I confirmed that he sounds like a guy who deserves the reputation he has earned. Very nice, very helpful, and without even trying to, made it clear that he is skilled, he cares about the work and the people he served, and that he has genuine integrity. He just got too old and his hands couldn't produce the quality that he was committed to delivering.

So, the search continues.

Does anyone have any experience or info on Dallas Steering Wheel (http://dallassteeringwheel.com)?
 
I purchased a recovered/restored steering wheel for a Porsche 911 ('84 Carrera) from Dallas Steering Wheel about 10 years ago. Quality is very good including the leather, stitching, and overall workmanship. It is slightly more padded than the stock wheel, which I actually prefer. To be clear, I did not send them my stock wheel for recovering, but simply bought one advertised for sale from them, so it may have been spec'd to be more padded. Unless I point that out to Porschephiles, no one would notice the difference.

I'd do biz with them again.
Hope this helps

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Last edited:
5280JB said:
I purchased a recovered/restored steering wheel for a Porsche 911 ('84 Carrera) from Dallas Steering Wheel about 10 years ago. Quality is very good including the leather, stitching, and overall workmanship. It is slightly more padded than the stock wheel, which I actually prefer. To be clear, I did not send them my stock wheel for recovering, but simply bought one advertised for sale from them, so it may have been spec'd to be more padded. Unless I point that out to Porschephiles, no one would notice the difference.

I'd do biz with them again.
Hope this helps
Click to expand...

Thank you! I appreciate the feedback!
 
Nice 02!
No doubt that is a real Alpina wheel. Complete with an original early Momo hub and the early “chrome ring” momo Alpina button, very nice.
The foam is indeed way too soft, it was probably complete replaced with something self-made. It should feel very firm with just a bit of give under thumb pressure.
best of luck in your search for an appropriate craftsman. I’m curious to know what the options are. I have a few wheels I would like to restore as well.
 
Doug- Alan Gun in South Florida has been restoring steering wheels for 25+ years. He covered my mahogany MOMO with foam & leather with the correct cross-stitched thread used on a Petri. Now the rim is slightly thicker and more comfortable for those long rides to an event or rally.

www.custom-steering-wheels.com

Customize or restore your steering wheel

Restoration and repair of Steering wheels back to original specification,using factory original leather hides .All cars and Suv .Porsche Ferrari Bentley lamborghini and all rare and interesting wheels we restore - Customized wheels a speciality.Thicker and wild colors!
www.custom-steering-wheels.com www.custom-steering-wheels.com
 

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Drew Gregg said:
Doug- Alan Gun in South Florida has been restoring steering wheels for 25+ years. He covered my mahogany MOMO with foam & leather with the correct cross-stitched thread used on a Petri. Now the rim is slightly thicker and more comfortable for those long rides to an event or rally.

www.custom-steering-wheels.com

Customize or restore your steering wheel

Restoration and repair of Steering wheels back to original specification,using factory original leather hides .All cars and Suv .Porsche Ferrari Bentley lamborghini and all rare and interesting wheels we restore - Customized wheels a speciality.Thicker and wild colors!
www.custom-steering-wheels.com www.custom-steering-wheels.com
Click to expand...
I appreciate that Drew! I contacted Alan Gun. Sadly, he's not doing this anymore.
 
I did find "A guy," very possibly The Guy! But he's in Australia, and he's quite expensive. The cost is the only thing holding me back at the moment. I'd have to spend at least what the wheel might be worth (and that's saying something!), but I hate seeing this Momo gem unrestored.

For those who are interested, his name is Gary West.
Here's his IG: https://www.instagram.com/westwheels232/
 
Hello Doug,

Sorry for my late reply, I've been busy.

I heard you already spoke to my "partner in crime" Bouke (@vintagevolante).
Unfortunately, it's more easy to find a vintage Momo Prototipo Alpina, than to find a real craftsman who can do the correct details during a restoration.

I would choose Gary West.

The joy of having a beautiful restored steering wheel is greater than the joy of having a few dollars :)

Kind Regards,

Hans
 
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