As a classic car enthusiast, you know that keeping and upgrading vintage vehicles is a passion and an art. In car history, few models show innovation and style like the Nissan 240Z, 260Z, and 280Z S30 series! These cars actually hold a special place in your heart for good reason.
If you want to preserve authenticity, you should fix or upgrade the steering wheel of those classic models to help with your driving experience and keep the car's original beauty. Want to get a better grip and enjoy modern features? You can even bring back that original look with care.
Luckily, you're in the right place. This guide will cover why you should upgrade, the top businesses for steering wheels, and give you a step-by-step restoration process. Let's get started!
Disclaimer: This article is authored by a member of the Skillard community and reflects their personal views, not necessarily those of Skillard. We welcome your feedback and corrections in the comments to help us continually improve this content.
Table of Contents
Why Upgrade Your Steering Wheel?
Upgrading your 240Z, 260Z, or 280Z S30's steering wheel gives a whole new look. You can think about gripping a new and quality wheel while cruising. It brings a whole new feel to your drive! Think of the better grip you get - a modern wheel has a comfortable and protected hold which is wild. If you've had troubles with your latest one, no more and goodbye to ergonomic discomfort. Instead, just enjoy a pleasant drive.
Always remember the visual improvements as well. Modern steering wheels usually use sleek designs and premium parts to help with your car's interior. Think about how a leather or wooden wheel dramatically improves your car's inside - you will enjoy the space you're in. What kind of look are you going for? If you've upgraded to power steering, you might want a new steering wheel to match.
Speaking of modern functions - some newer steering wheels come with integrated controls or information, like a tachometer or oil pressure. You can monitor your car's settings on the track without glancing away from the road! These are popular in race cars, too.
Or, you might want to think about maintaining the original vintage look while adding modern benefits. Custom steering wheels can blend nostalgia with innovation. I've seen improved performance as another plus. If you love precise steering, your upgraded wheels can give you better feedback and handling.
As for compatibility, not all steering wheels fit out of the box. Installing a 240Z wheel on a 260Z or 280Z needs more adjustments - like changing the horn button and making some other modifications. It might need extra work, but the benefit is well worth it!
You have a lot of options among steering wheels. From different depths for a lot of markets to styles like the classic three-spoke designs - choices are abundant. So pick what matches your taste and budget and choose if it's easy or delicate.
Picking to upgrade your steering wheel leads you into a pretty more fun and personalized driving experience. I think you should shoot for a balance between the classic and the contemporary to make your older vehicle feel fresh and modern.
Popular Steering Wheel Brands to Consider
Let's talk about some popular businesses that have excellent options. You should check out Momo and Nardi. These businesses are mainly known for making quality steering wheels with features that fit your style and driving needs.
For reliability and durability, pick Momo for reliable parts and durability. You'll find different styles and colors with parts like leather, Alcantara, and carbon fiber, which are all excellent. The Momo Montecarlo 350mm Black Alcantara Steering Wheel is very luxurious and refined! Prices range from $257 to $369, which makes it a somewhat affordable option. You can combine durability and style all in one with Momo.
Next, look at Nardi for comfort and durability. Their wheels come in a lot of kinds of parts like wood grains and leather, which makes them flexible for racing and driving. Popular models like the Nardi Classic and Sport are loved by a lot of enthusiasts. If you want a steering wheel that looks beautiful and works well, maybe Nardi could be your brand.
For people who want to start with racing and performance, NRG is always a good choice. Known for beautiful and comfortable designs, NRG steering wheels largely come in different styles and parts like wood grains and Alcantara. Reinforced for racing, these wheels manage intense driving conditions. Maybe think about the confidence you'll get knowing your steering wheel is able to manage almost any challenge.
Watch how your steering wheel might affect your driving experience. Use DAMD if you want luxurious quality leather steering wheels. Originally made for Subaru vehicles, they adapt for other models too. With a slightly smaller diameter and thicker grip, these wheels shoot for better control and safety. Their rigorous testing process will make sure you don't compromise on safety for luxury.
When you pick the right steering wheel, I think it comes down to your taste and driving needs. If you enjoy the classic designs of Nardi and Personal or the high-performance features of Momo and Sparco, there's something out there for everyone that will make your driving more fun and beautiful. Most people should think about what matters most to you in a steering wheel. Is it material, design, or performance? Just choose what feels like the right fit for you.
How Do You Restore Original Steering Wheels?
Restoring your original steering wheel will need a few careful steps. Initially start with a deep clean. Use a leather cleaner from a steering wheel repair kit to get rid of any dirt and grime. You should apply Rejuvenator Oil so it can soak in for up to 48 hours to soften the leather. This prep work gives you a good starting point.
After that, move on to sand and smooth. Remember to use 600-grit wet and dry sandpaper soaked in Leatherique Super Prepping Agent to smooth the surface. Seems tedious? It's worth it. Just take your time and it pays off big. Have cracks or tears? Basically, fill them with a crack filler compound. You need to apply and smooth it out.
Re-cover depends on the material of your steering wheel. Just to give you an example, with vinyl steering wheels, start with cleaning the frame ring well and install a cushioned steering wheel cover - an easy fix that improves how your wheel feels. Are you dealing with a leather steering wheel? You should use a leather dye to bring back its old color.
For repaint and finish, apply a Klear Kote to protect your new surface and help it look pretty interesting. Also, regular work with a leather conditioner keeps your wheel in top shape. But this isn't a one-time job.
Always use the right products to make your project successful. Leatherique products work wonderfully for leather restoration. Also, check out DIY guides and tutorials online for step-by-step help. They're lifesavers - especially for newbies. We have one on cracked dashes, too.
Start to remove and reassemble the steering wheel. Just to give you an example, remove the horn pad from the center of the wheel, wire-wheel away the old paint, and apply primer and satin black paint to the metal parts. For the wood, gently scrub with a Scotch-Brite pad and water. Then you need to sand with 400-grit sandpaper. Apply more coats of satin and water-based exterior polyurethane to bring the wood back to life. Finally, reattach the horn pad and other parts before reinstalling the wheel in the column.
Once complete, you'll find keeping your car's real beauty is fun. Restored parts like your steering wheel give you a sense of authenticity that other parts can't match. So grab your tools and get to work! Your 240Z, 260Z, or 280Z S30 will thank you.
Where to Buy Steering Wheel Parts?
You can get good parts in a lot of places online and in stores. For starters, check out classic car shops because they sometimes have quality steering wheels. These shops are helpful since you can see the part up close before you buy it.
Also, you should look at online places like eBay and Amazon. They give you a lot of choices usually at decent prices. Just verify the quality and authenticity of these parts. Always read reviews and check seller ratings before buying. Besides, you get the convenience of having parts delivered to your door.
Also, I recommend checking out car shows and swap meets for finds. You might find rare pieces and talk face-to-face with vendors. There's something about picking the right steering wheel for your car. Maybe you might find a hidden you wouldn't see online.
As you go, trust MACs Antique Auto Parts, and they specialize in classic car parts and are basically a favorite among enthusiasts. Also, Kanter Auto Products also stocks a lot of classic car parts like steering wheels, which makes them a reliable choice. Start with checking quality and authenticity.
You can visit websites like CarParts.com for convenience. They give you lots of accessories and replacement parts for those older vehicles; complete descriptions and vehicle compatibility lists make shopping a little bit easier. The official Nissan USA Parts site is especially helpful for licensed restoration parts if you're a Nissan fan.
For more plans, I've seen great tips in online forums and groups. Enthusiasts sometimes share advice about their buying experiences and reviews. You can save time and money if you learn where others had success! Frequently, ZCarGarage and Classic Datsun Parts are popular for their trusted parts and good service.
If you like physical stores, instead, try to visit your local specialty car parts stores and classic car restoration shops. I almost even recommend relationship-building with the staff - they sometimes give you expert advice and might even source parts for you.
Finally, you should do your research to find the right part if you're restoring or fixing up your car. Happy hunting!
Is a Professional Restoration Worth It?
You might find it tough to hire a professional for steering wheel restoration. They bring special skills and experience so you get the best results every time! You get peace of mind because you stay away from attempting everything yourself and there's sometimes a warranty giving you a little bit of extra security if anything goes wrong.
But get ready because hiring pros isn't cheap. You might spend anywhere from $500 to $2000 depending on the detail and parts. If your steering wheel is a bit worn out, why not try it yourself? But if it looks like it survived a hurricane, you'll need those experts. Extreme damage will need special tools and knowledge to make sure it's safely fixed - but at that point, you probably want to know how much it would cost to replace the wheel instead. You can still find 240Z steering wheel OEM ones on eBay, you know.
Interestingly, you should think about stories like Steering Wheel Bob with his famous paint restorations. Car lovers rave about how their wheels actually look brand new! Museums and collectors who shoot for authenticity sometimes choose professional services. Pros like Bob breathe new life into old parts and keep the car's history for you. So, something like that is always an option.
If you're considering this path, check out credentialing organizations like the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA), and they basically give you resources and input to help you find quality restoration work. These checks make sure the person you hire isn't a self-proclaimed "expert."
On the flip side, if you love DIY projects, then restoring a steering wheel yourself can be super rewarding, and you will save money. The internet has endless tutorials and forums where other car enthusiasts share their tips. You should be ready for the time commitment though - it might take you weeks or even months depending on the job's difficulty.
For museum-quality results or extreme damage, you should try to go with a professional! They have the special tools and can give you that high-end touch you want. But for small touch-ups or a fun learning project, DIY is a cool option. Again, though - weigh thesepros and cons. It mostly has to make sense for you.
Build Your Dream Car
When you're fixing and improving the steering of your classic car, you'll see and enjoy the process just as much as the end result. Feel every turn of the wrench and each material choice makes you proud.
Along the way, you can also learn some cool lessons. Note how the effort you put into replacing or upgrading steering wheels changes your driving experience and how your car looks. But the smallest details count!
Now think about the bigger picture. Like the balance between keeping your car authentic and adding modern comfort and safety. You want your classicZ model to have the best, and knowing where to find quality parts and honest help is huge.
When it's time to upgrade your classic Datsun, great parts matter a great deal. Just to give you an example, that's why you should check out Skillard - we have a number of custom parts just for your Datsun. You'll find just about everything: bumpers, aluminum door cards, and center consoles to spoilers. As you can see, Skillard focuses on giving you quality, innovative services for your projects. Besides, they look pretty sharp if we do say so ourselves.
If you're starting your restoration or adding the final touches, Skillard.com is your favorite place. You should check out our wide set of parts and complete your automotive dream. Let's work together to keep these classic cars' legacy alive!
