Improve feel of the thin steering wheel....

[matt5791]

I know that the use of a rather skinny rimmed steering wheel was criticised by some commentators, in the 90's, of Rolls and Bentley cars. But I think I have discovered the solution, and probably the reason it was thin. Driving gloves - it suddenly occurred to me that, of course, RR expected any self respecting owner/driver to be suitable attired whilst at the wheel and to wear a quality pair of driving gloves.

And this may be the reason for the thin rimmed wheel.

I just found my grandfathers old driving gloves, and tried them - definitely an improvement.....

[Byteme]

matt5791 said:

I know that the use of a rather skinny rimmed steering wheel was criticised by some commentators, in the 90's, of Rolls and Bentley cars. But I think I have discovered the solution, and probably the reason it was thin. Driving gloves - it suddenly occurred to me that, of course, RR expected any self respecting owner/driver to be suitable attired whilst at the wheel and to wear a quality pair of driving gloves.

And this may be the reason for the thin rimmed wheel.

I just found my grandfathers old driving gloves, and tried them - definitely an improvement.....

I think you'll probably find that the very thin wheel was intended as a symbol of just how well the power steering functioned requiring only finger-tip input. Throughout motoring history rims have generally reduced in diameter and thickness as cars have evolved. By the '90s driving gloves were already from bygone eras where power steering was rare and where even earlier the driver had no protection from the rain.

That said I do love really good quality, hand made, made-to-measure gloves so any excuse to wear them is always a good one.

Leather covered wheels were a factory option and not at all uncommon on pre airbag Rolls-Royce motor cars. Duplicating the stitch pattern they used would be difficult but it's perfectly possible to use alternatives with a little effort to add thickness.

[dkatwa]

Byteme said:

That said I do love really good quality, hand made, made-to-measure gloves so any excuse to wear them is always a good one.

Hand Made? Didn't know such a thing existed. Who does this nowadays?

[Byteme]

dkatwa said:

Hand Made? Didn't know such a thing existed. Who does this nowadays?

My last couple of pairs came from Chester Jeffries. If you want some made specifically for you for this winter I'd move quickly as they get very busy supplying christmas orders.

[dkatwa]

Thanks Byteme....now added that site to favourites and will definitely order :-)