2013-12-12 Steering wheel finished

SUBJECT: STEERING WHEEL - As a reminder when we removed the original steering wheel from this vehicle it was unusual. It looked like a standard 1956 Buick steering wheel except it had a soft rubber coating blue in color that was very comfortable to the touch. Since it had lasted since 1956 it had deteriorated and rough but not doing any flaking or falling apart. In addition the horn ring was covered with the same material. Also the horn ring was different than the original in its depth and shape.

We inquired in the Grand Rapids metro area to see what firms could duplicate this unique rubber compound and every place we took the wheel to show the local businesses they just said no! However, one business had its long time employee try some different plastics but none worked.

Chuck Snow went on the internet and found JB Donaldson in Phoenix, Arizona, willing to look at the original steering wheel and see what they could do. JB Donaldson however kept trying over 14 months working with different plastics companies and by mid 2013 they had

found a compound that worked. However, when they added the color to the compound then they had problems. Finally after lots of trial and error JB Donaldson developed the soft rubber compound with the blue color you see in these photographs.

They will now be shipping the steering wheel to Michigan to join this part with all the other one-of-a-kind parts.

It will be white gloves for those who want to touch this wheel or drive the car.

Progress is being made one part at a time.

Don