Derrington steering wheel

[cass3958]

Just seen this on EBay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jaguar-MK2-M ... ition=3000

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Absolutely beautiful but at £155 and 5 days left on the auction a bit too steep for me.

[Glyn Ruck]

A good old original Derrington (my old, fired restorer has a new one that has never been fitted to a car in his collection). I must say I did not find them particularly pretty in the flesh. Also did not like the way the hornring clattered against the lower spoke.

I preferred the original Jaguar optional woodrim wheel. (made for them by V W Derrington P/N C.25198)

woodrim - Copy.jpg (180.13 KiB) Viewed 1777 times

[David Reilly]

See Newsletter Vol. 12, No.11 for the full story, but …
Vic Derrington started making steering wheels in the early 1950s and was granted a Patent, on October 5, 1955, for specific characteristics: slotted spokes, three spokes evenly spaced, and a laminated rim of mahogany with beech or white sycamore. In the 1950s - '60s, over 60% of Derrington's production was exported, most to the United States.
Bill Lyons asked Derrington to design and produce a special optional steering wheel for the Mk2. The steering wheel that Derrington designed especially for Jaguar to offer as a factory option differed from the standard wheel. It was of the standard 17 in. diameter, but with three solid spokes, two horizontal for mounting the Jaguar horn push assembly and a lower vertical spoke. It also had additional holes to left and right of center to attach the Jaguar horn ring assembly.
The Birmabright spokes were highly polished and the woodrim of contrasting laminations of white beech and rich red mahogany were clear lacquered to bring out the grain. The Jaguar optional steering wheel was priced at £12 and took the standard Jaguar center horn push and half horn-ring.
Jaguar Part No. C.25198 was offered as an option on both the Mk2 and ‘S’-type Jaguar. They were hardly ever seen on of either car and examples are very very rare.
Derrington gradually moved away from steering wheel production, fully concentrating on their successful tuning activities. By the late 60’s Derrington had completely stopped producing steering wheels and Moto-Lita continued manufacturing of the “Derrington" steering wheel.
Cheers,
David

[cass3958]

Somewhere I remember seeing what I thought was a Derrington steering wheel for the Jaguar but it only had the two horizontal metal spokes not the third spoke pointing to the floor. This had the black standard horn push mounted on it and in your case Glyn this would have eliminated the chrome horn loop hitting the metal spoke. Can't find the picture at the moment.

[David Reilly]

The only 1960s two-spoke steering wheel that I have seen is the Cosmic and they did not offer one for Jaguar.
Cheers
David

[Orlando St.R]

I preferred the original Jaguar optional woodrim wheel. (made for them by V W Derrington P/N C.25198)

That looks nice!

[cass3958]

This Derrington wheel finally went for £340. Is it worth this amount. I suppose if you have the money and really like it then yes.

[Glyn Ruck]

I would not pay that for it in that condition but someone obviously values its originality.

You can have a new one from Moto Lita for £345.60 Inc VAT

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