Author Topic: tenite steering wheel  (Read 2018 times)

stroker70

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tenite steering wheel
« on: July 13, 2012, 11:35:09 AM »
I will be in the market soon for a cherry or recast tenite steering wheel for my 53. What are my chances of finding one and what should I expect to pay?

pnw_oldmags

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Re: tenite steering wheel
« Reply #1 on: July 13, 2012, 12:07:43 PM »
Slim and none are your chances.
The term Tenite ... to me  ... means tranparent or translucent.
If you find one expect $500 and up.
Recast ... have not seen one I liked like the Original Kaiser one I had on a 53 Manhattan in the past.
Jim Betts  LM6945
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stroker70

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Re: tenite steering wheel
« Reply #2 on: July 13, 2012, 01:09:15 PM »
translucent is a priority for a big buck investment for sure. Hopfully SLIM has not left town yet.

Fid

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Re: tenite steering wheel
« Reply #3 on: July 13, 2012, 01:41:59 PM »
Adam, of the KFOCI remanufacturing fund, had a re-done 1949 K steering wheel here at my meet in 2005. It looked perfect. He said it cost $850. I don't recall where he said he had it done.
1953 Henry J Corsair Deluxe
Edgar Kaiser's custom 1951 Henry J
1951 Kaiser Special
1952 Allstate Deluxe

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Aeroman

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Re: tenite steering wheel
« Reply #4 on: July 13, 2012, 01:52:19 PM »
Shrock Brothers in the Studebaker Club have reproduced several Studebaker wheels and might consider Kaiser wheels. Are we (the manufacturing fund)  all out of the Tenite wheels that we reproduced several years back? I would advertise in the monthly newsbulletin. I'm sure there's a few still around.
Rick Kamen
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1954 Willys Aero Eagle "Old Toby"
1964 Ford Econoline panel van
Once owned 11 other Willys Aeros and a Willys wagon, 2 Kaisers, 1 Henry J, plus Studebakers, Hudsons, a Nash and others.

pnw_oldmags

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Re: tenite steering wheel
« Reply #5 on: July 13, 2012, 02:38:08 PM »
I guess I have never seen a KFOCI Manufacturing Fund steering wheel that looked like tenite.
I thought they were all hard rubber steering wheels they had done.
Jim Betts  LM6945
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Fid

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Re: tenite steering wheel
« Reply #6 on: July 13, 2012, 03:50:48 PM »
I should clarify that the wheel Adam had was not for sale and was not sanctioned by, or done for the Manufacturing Fund. It was one he had done on his own for his own personal use.
1953 Henry J Corsair Deluxe
Edgar Kaiser's custom 1951 Henry J
1951 Kaiser Special
1952 Allstate Deluxe

Need your classic car radio repaired? I repair vacuum tube radios

joefrazer

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Re: tenite steering wheel
« Reply #7 on: July 13, 2012, 04:22:41 PM »
The wheels done by the manufacturing fund were for the 51-3 cars and have sold out. There are no plans in the near term to have more done because cores are scarce and the work to prep them is quite extensive.

stroker70

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Re: tenite steering wheel
« Reply #8 on: July 13, 2012, 11:19:23 PM »
So a mold for recasting 51-53 wheels exists somewhere. Who did the wheels for the club? Seems like they could recast mine with little trouble. I could have a casting done but that first wheel would cost around $2500.00