Steering wheel versions - one for the concours experts !!

[PeterPortugal]

Hi all,

According to the forum technical manual an early W111 steering wheel was the type without the "ridges" around the part of the rim facing the driver and with a completely circular horn ring (like an early 230sl). It goes on to say that the wheel design for the 230sl was changed to the type with ridges  and the horn ring with the flattened top at chassis 2035 which was produced Dec 1963 or Jan 1964.

According to my "restorers guide" by Tim Slade even the earliest W111 steering wheels had the ridges.

I have a May 1963 Cab. Can anyone confirm which type of wheel it should have?

I have cast caution to the wind and "impulse purchased" a restored ivory version with no ridges and a round horn ring on ebay......last second bid !!

Regards

Peter

[wwheeler]

My understanding is this:

Steering wheels changed a lot in the time period when the W111 finny was first developed. The earliest before coupes and cabs (also shared with Ponton cars), had the non-padded center, circular horn ring with ridges. The horn ring also acted as the turn signal when rotated and the ridges were finger grips. This ring does not have the two holes on either side of the steering wheel spoke.

The next version on the last Ponton and early W111 coupes/cabs had a padded center, circular horn ring with no ridges. This ring had the two holes in the steering wheel spoke and did NOT work as a turn signal. Early W113 had this as well.

The next version had a different padded center and a flattened horn ring again with no ridges and had the collapsible steering column. 

[Marrs]

My '62 220seb has a non-ridged, round horn ring, wheel but contrary to wwheeler's post my car does not have a collapsible steering column, I believe those came just a bit later in the W111 range.

[wwheeler]

You are correct and I changed my post above.

[Jonny B]

The steering wheel horn ring was flattened at the top on 113 starting about 2035 on 3 Feb 1964. This listing (changes for the model year 1964) will be published in the next issue of Pagoda Notes in April. The last issue of Pagoda Notes for 2015 has the listing for the model year changes in 1963.

My understanding the collapsible steering column was in response to the US DOT requirements in 1967 at 2980 on the 250 SL. Not sure if the timing was the same across the range of MB cars.