Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Bespoke wood steering wheels, made to order

I have been looking for a very individualized steering wheel to adorn my new Morgan 3 Wheeler, and came across an American fellow, Mike Lempert who has one of the best photographic historic web sites of vintage wheels in vintage cars, and he repairs and reproduces any wood rimmed wheel. Very high end stuff.

I was looking for a used NOS Les Leston, or a new Moto Lita, or a Simmonds of Malvern, but it seems that Mike has them beat. Both British suppliers are VERY nice by the way, and both make wood and leather rimmed wheels. Mike only makes wood rims.

Take a look, at www.lempertwheels.com . I won't tell you what I bought, as I want my unique wheel to be unique.

He can machine the hub to fit, engrave the wheel, holes, slots, polished or plain.

Very exciting to have a vintage looking grasp on my direction of travel in the M3W!

Some nice wheels, are these originals or modern reproductions. I like the D or E type wheels and I'm waiting on these to come to market.

Nice - I like

Some examples of both vintage and Mikes work are shown, and generally marked. All are examples of wheels that were made, and can be reproduced. None are stock wheels, all are made to order. Dimensions, bolt pat term, hubs, finish, wood type and rim shape EVERYTHING is made to order, like the M3W, it is bespoke, and their is a waiting list for a wheel.

Next to most pictures is a blue " previous or next" many many many more wheels to the left and right.

I like the 4 spoke, looks correct on a M3

Mike is an artist.

Thanks for that link Rufus. As you say, he is a craftsman. I could be very tempted!

Very nice indeed , we same to be on the same wave length . I have just had my old s/wheel rebuilt . It was 20+ years old slightly dished as my fingers caught the wipers and indicator toggle . Leather covered M/lita with a gun barrel design on the spokes and the MotoLita name missing .I asked Simon at M/Lita if he could change it to wood , NOTHING EVER SEEMS A PROBLEM TO THEM .They changed it and sent it to Matthias Kaufelt ! in Germany he had just built me a one off dash so did the wheel to match . Not happy with the s/wheel centre I asked him to make me a one off to match the dash with mog wings . It arrived the other day and now its all fitted after having to put a spacer in ( still it keeps my fingers away from those toggles a bit more and Ben Duncan set them out better. Its all back to being highly polished and looks stunning cant wait for the spring to get my hands on it . Hence the driving gloves purchased last week.

Not being very happy with either the design or size of the standard supplied steering wheel, I changed mine to an 11" [300mm] leather rimmed Motolita wheel shortly after buying it, and found that it made the whole steering experience better. For a start, I could see over it, and had more room between the side of the cockpit and the rim, as well as finding it easier to get in and out without removing it. It did make the steering fractionally heavier, as you would expect, but I find it still quite manageable when parking, although, it is quite hard to hustle around sharp bends at speed, as the steering weights up.

So, for those of you still considering a wheel, I would wholeheartedly recommend going for a smaller wheel, whether wood rimmed or leather. For those who want to see what my wheel looks like look back in the gallery for my black/tan car.

Paul I forgot that bit, its a Monday say no more.

Oh, it's Thursday down here in the West Country, are we behind or ahead then?

No, what could go wrong has gone wrong . I have been running like hell to stand still and others sitting on their ass so when I get sharp about it they get upset . Must think I am here to carry them about on my back and just ignor any mistakes which are coming to often for my taste . Hence that Monday feeling .