What were stock steering wheels on the 944?

clubjoker · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2009 12:43 pm

A couple of days ago, I got a 1984 944 Lux. I'm really happy with it, but have only managed to do about 50 miles so far, so early days... and a lot of bad things might show up yet! I'll get some pictures up and introduce myself properly as I'm new to TIPEC. Thanks to you all for the advice you gave in the other thread "thinking about a 944".

I've started to think about sorting out a few cosmetic things. One thing is the steering wheel, which has been replaced by an aftermarket Sparco one, which I'm not so keen on. I'd like to return it to original if possible.

As far as I can make out, there were at least four different variants of wheels supplied by Porsche for the 944:
- 3 spoke
- 4 spoke "lozenge" - standard size
- 4 spoke "lozenge" - smaller size
- 4 spoke "lozenge", with airbag

Which of these would have been standard on an 84 Lux? Are there any other types? Pros and cons? Is it a quick job to swap it over? Am I likely to be missing any parts because of the previous owner's swap to the Sparco?

Thanks!

Clive993 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2009 1:19 pm

I am sure someone called Jim will be along soon. Probably with the part number !

stepa1007 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2009 1:56 pm

clubjoker wrote:

A couple of days ago, I got a 1984 944 Lux. I'm really happy with it, but have only managed to do about 50 miles so far, so early days... and a lot of bad things might show up yet! I'll get some pictures up and introduce myself properly as I'm new to TIPEC. Thanks to you all for the advice you gave in the other thread "thinking about a 944".

I've started to think about sorting out a few cosmetic things. One thing is the steering wheel, which has been replaced by an aftermarket Sparco one, which I'm not so keen on. I'd like to return it to original if possible.

As far as I can make out, there were at least four different variants of wheels supplied by Porsche for the 944:
- 3 spoke
- 4 spoke "lozenge" - standard size
- 4 spoke "lozenge" - smaller size
- 4 spoke "lozenge", with airbag

Which of these would have been standard on an 84 Lux? Are there any other types? Pros and cons? Is it a quick job to swap it over? Am I likely to be missing any parts because of the previous owner's swap to the Sparco?

Thanks!

That year would have been a three spoke wheel with a round centre.

Not sure what you mean about the 4 spoke wheels. All 4 spokes on UK 944's where the same size. The airbag wheel was only fitted to non-uk 944 models.

Stephen

clubjoker · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2009 2:48 pm

Thanks!

The smaller wheel was based on this ebay listing (230377560281)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/944-black-leather-steering-wheel_W0QQitemZ230377560281QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item35a39298d9&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

which says
"944 black leather steering wheel. In excellent condition. This is the smaller diameter version that Porsche offered as an option."

Perhaps the seller has got it wrong, and it's just a standard 4 spoke. What do you think? I could call him and ask him to measure the diameter to be sure!

And just to check... would this three spoker have been the original wheel for an 84 Lux (ebay item 250501305441)?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PORSCHE-944-924-THREE-SPOKE-STEERING-WHEEL-in-BLACK_W0QQitemZ250501305441QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item3a530a9461&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Which would you recommend?

RH944 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2009 7:06 pm

Mine is a 1982 944 Lux and I have the original steering wheel to fit back on. It is a 4 spoke lozenge. Not sure the size, will measure it tomorrow. I believe it may have been an option on the early cars.

I thinkthe three spoke wheel was a hangover from the 924 days

stepa1007 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2009 9:41 pm

Hi Joker

The four spoker on e-bay looks like a standard size one.
What colour is your Joker mobile?

Stephen

J.J. · **Posted:** Sat Sep 26, 2009 10:17 am

Attachment:

944 Feb07 007 (Medium).jpg [ 75.56 KiB | Viewed 6711 times ]

Prefer the 968 ones myself

lindsayhbrown · **Posted:** Sat Sep 26, 2009 12:31 pm

is that a pic of your cars interior JJ ? i like the red dashboard trim

J.J. · **Posted:** Sat Sep 26, 2009 7:49 pm

Yes Lindsey. You can't see the worn bolster in that shot!

944 Man · **Posted:** Sat Sep 26, 2009 9:25 pm

924-trim cars had three spoke wheels, with 360-odd mm wheels being an option. 1984 onwards cars had a 380-odd mm four spoke wheel as standard with a 360mm four spoke option again (from memory).

944BLOKE · **Posted:** Sat Sep 26, 2009 9:33 pm

I met JJ and his car at Harewood recently and it really is nice,inside and out.JJ told me that the previous owner did the dashboard thing,so full marks to him!Its a different shade of red to any other Ive ever seen(Gambia Red I believe) but very very nice ,and worth all the work that JJ has put into it(and is continuing to do so).Ive read on here about your recent problems JJ but youve done so much now you have to see it through!!! That car is a belter!!! Cheers John

clubjoker · **Posted:** Tue Sep 29, 2009 1:29 pm

Thanks everyone. So it sounds as if there were a couple of different sizes of wheel.

I'll change it to a 4 spoke lozenge. Happy days.

Oh, and the Lux is black. She's covered in London grime at the moment. I'll take some photos when I clean her up a bit and get them on here.

stepa1007 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:02 pm

J.J. wrote:

Attachment:

944 Feb07 007 (Medium).jpg

Prefer the 968 ones myself

I had a German LHD 968 with twin air bags.
Bulkly steering wheel but safer....

Stephen

watchcam · **Posted:** Wed Sep 30, 2009 10:42 am

I know what you men about the air bag wheels, but I quite like them. Like the style.
The airbags in most of them must be past their shelf life now or coming up to it?

tr7v8 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 30, 2009 11:15 am

watchcam wrote:

I know what you men about the air bag wheels, but I quite like them. Like the style.
The airbags in most of them must be past their shelf life now or coming up to it?

I believe official life of an airbag is 10 years so yes well past it!

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What were stock steering wheels on the 944?

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