What's going on with the interior of this 156?

[Papa Hotel]

I'm mostly loving this car, it meets all my criteria, I'd very much like it... I'm struggling with two aspects of the interior though...

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20112840273...

The wooden wheel and gearstick, are they as Alfa intended?? The wheel in particular just looks odd. If genuine Alfa articles, are they real wood?

[PhilipAlfa]

Agreed, doesn't look right at all - the wood is far to light.

[sunbeam alpine]

I can't say whether they are genuine wood, but I know someone else who has the same colour combination (although on an Alfa 166), with that steering wheel and gear knob.

[robsco]

I rather like it.

[DamienB]

I thought Alfa gave up on the wooden wheels on the 156 way before 2004... suspect aftermarket...

[HebdenHedgehog]

Given the wheel has the stereo controls on it I suspect it is actually a proper Alfa item, but maybe it has been sanded down and revarnished by a previous owner?

Just having wooden wheel / gearknob looks a bit odd without the rest of the wood kit on the dashboard.... you any good with a jigsaw?!

[Robbo101]

£4500 for a (none GTA) 156 ? Thats not too far away from where 159's are heading.

[Papa Hotel]

robsco said:

I rather like it.

So do I. Yet I'm struggling with it.

HebdenHedgehog said:

Given the wheel has the stereo controls on it I suspect it is actually a proper Alfa item, but maybe it has been sanded down and revarnished by a previous owner?

Just having wooden wheel / gearknob looks a bit odd without the rest of the wood kit on the dashboard.... you any good with a jigsaw?!

That's exactly the problem I have with the wheel and stick, they aren't in keeping with the rest of the dash. I really like the rim of the wheel but it doesn't look in any way like it was meant to go with the black and metallic plastic. There's also no wood in the dash or elsewhere in the trim. The wheel looks genuine enough to my untrained eye, just a bit odd looking and way out of place.

[Papa Hotel]

Robbo101 said:

£4500 for a (none GTA) 156 ? Thats not too far away from where 159's are heading.

Yeah, I think he's on the optimistic side of dreaming, but it is a good spec and has covered only 44,000 miles, there'll be interest in it at that money but should still be room for arguing it down a chunk.

[V6Alfisti]

That's a genuine Alfa steering wheel

[crostonian]

They were offered in the Alfa accessory brochure IIRC, they would have been a dealer fit option in that case.

[RicksAlfas]

I agree, they are official Alfa accessories.
They would be easy to swap if you didn't like them.

Desirable spec car - you don't see many 20 valves with low miles. Just remember with it being a Lusso you will be able to go round roundabouts with smoke pouring off the inside front wheel and smack the sump at will. If you could knock £500 off to spend on decent suspension it would be brilliant.