- Joined
- Mar 10, 2011
- Messages
- 5,960
- Reaction score
- 108
- Location
- Oklahoma
- My Car
- 1971 Boss 351
1971 Mustang Sportsroof
1972 Q Code 4-speed conv.
OK
Correct steering wheels seem to be a question that hasn't been explained.
I'll try to offer what I have learned to-date.
For 1971 -1973 there were 4 different versions.
The standard steering wheel had two thin spokes and utilized a large center button with a round mustang tri-bar looking emblem. This wheel was used only as standard equipment for 1971 only in all body types except for the Grande. It received the one described below as the Deluxe Steering wheel. This wheel was also shared by other Ford and Mercury compact lines with of course other respective center emblems. Full-sized car lines never used this steering wheel. From what I understand, 1971 Cougars, Torinos and Cyclones never received this steering wheel.
The second one known as the Deluxe 2 spoke, utilized a pad with a woodtone insert and it had a small running horse medallion in the very center of the pad.
For 1972 and 1973 this wheel was the 'standard' option for all car body types. Similar steering wheels were used on other Ford and Mercury cars including full sized cars.
The third one was just another optional variation to the Deluxe 2-spoke was a 1973-only offering of this same wheel but with it leather-wrapped.
The fourth and final one offered was the three-spoked rim-blow steering wheel. To further confuse - Ford also referred to this steering wheel as the "Deluxe 3-spoke" in some literature! It was available as an option for all 1971-1973 Mustangs. They used a simulated wood-grain ring with pad color matched to the interior color of the respective car. It utilized a similar center emblem as used on the standard 1771 button type wheel.Other non-compact F/L/M car lines used very similar steering wheels - usually just modifying the actual wheel pad to differentiate from each car.
I tried to stick with only the 71-3 Mustangs. I did not want to get too deep with all the other steering wheel combinations offered for every other F/L/M line.
As always if anyone has any different understanding - please offer with your supporting documentation. I am trying to keep learning. THX.
Ray
Correct steering wheels seem to be a question that hasn't been explained.
I'll try to offer what I have learned to-date.
For 1971 -1973 there were 4 different versions.
The standard steering wheel had two thin spokes and utilized a large center button with a round mustang tri-bar looking emblem. This wheel was used only as standard equipment for 1971 only in all body types except for the Grande. It received the one described below as the Deluxe Steering wheel. This wheel was also shared by other Ford and Mercury compact lines with of course other respective center emblems. Full-sized car lines never used this steering wheel. From what I understand, 1971 Cougars, Torinos and Cyclones never received this steering wheel.
The second one known as the Deluxe 2 spoke, utilized a pad with a woodtone insert and it had a small running horse medallion in the very center of the pad.
For 1972 and 1973 this wheel was the 'standard' option for all car body types. Similar steering wheels were used on other Ford and Mercury cars including full sized cars.
The third one was just another optional variation to the Deluxe 2-spoke was a 1973-only offering of this same wheel but with it leather-wrapped.
The fourth and final one offered was the three-spoked rim-blow steering wheel. To further confuse - Ford also referred to this steering wheel as the "Deluxe 3-spoke" in some literature! It was available as an option for all 1971-1973 Mustangs. They used a simulated wood-grain ring with pad color matched to the interior color of the respective car. It utilized a similar center emblem as used on the standard 1771 button type wheel.Other non-compact F/L/M car lines used very similar steering wheels - usually just modifying the actual wheel pad to differentiate from each car.
I tried to stick with only the 71-3 Mustangs. I did not want to get too deep with all the other steering wheel combinations offered for every other F/L/M line.
As always if anyone has any different understanding - please offer with your supporting documentation. I am trying to keep learning. THX.
Ray