Recently purchased a Connaught Green 1993 Plus 8. Its a great car but for one thing - it has a Mota-Lita wood rim wheel which is not very pleasant to use. Its thin rimmed and not very comfortable. I like the idea of a Bluemel wheel of a type which was originally fitted to earlier models of Morgan but not sure if these would fit a more modern car. The alternative is to fit a black leather rimmed Mota-Lita wheel, probably 15 inch, flat not dished. The car has been modified cosmetically to look older than it really is and an old style wheel would really improve things. Has anyone any experience of fitting a bluemel wheel to their car.
Have you considered the wheel fitted to the new Plus4SS ? That is very similar to the Bluemel one. Melvyn Rutter stocks them with leather or black (plastic ?) rim and also supplies Bluemel badges to fit.
An alternative similar wheel is sold by Simmonds.
Last edited by Jays; 20/10/1103:04 PM.
Jays Former Morgan owner. Gone but hopefully not forgotten!
Have you considered the wheel fitted to the new Plus4SS ? That is very similar to the Bluemel one. Melvyn Rutter stocks them with leather or black (plastic ?) rim and also supplies Bluemel badges to fit.
An alternative similar wheel is sold by Simmonds.
Hi All, On my Plus 8, I had a Mota-Lita wood rim steering that I got when the car was new and it looked very nice but I never found it comfortable. So I replaced by a 14" Simmonds in leather. It is very nice and a lot more comfortable, especially on the Plus 8 where the steering is a little heavy. BR.
Before you run out and get a new steering wheel, try tying rope around it. No seriously. If the wood wheel is too thin for your grip, get some clothes line and wrap the handle with it. I did it on my old '67 for temporary use. It is great. Clothes line will come in all different thicknesses. It will cost only $8 or 8 pounds.. or so, and you will be driving in comfort until you get the wheel you like. You can barely make out the wheel behind the camera hound.
I currently have the original very plain 15 inch leather steering when on my +4. In the new year, I am was considering changing to a 14 inch Moto-Lita. Question is which one do I choose? Mk9 Walnut, which like Ruuds classics looks the part or the Leather rimmed which has the comfort for long journeys. I would love to here your views.
Ian 2011 Plus 4 Wild Mogs Reims 2019, Goodwood 2018, Isle of Man 2017, Carried on to Caramulo" 2016
I got the wooden rimmed Moto Lita with my plus4. It took just the drive from Newtown Motors to Simmonds Morgan to convince me that while it looked the part, it was not comfortable to drive with. I swapped it-well added to it! - to get one of Steve's new wheels - see attached - and find it the dog's danglies!!
Everyone is different...I love my wood rim MotoLita! My main car had a BMW M Sport wheel which had a very thick leather rim and to switch to the thin smooth wood has been divine!
Jays Former Morgan owner. Gone but hopefully not forgotten!
I'd echo that Jay: thought I wouldn't get on with my Moto-Lita 14" walnut wheel - but somehow it just feels right. Maybe it echoes the vintage feel of the car.
I also have a Volvo XC60 - auto box, high riding, fat leather wheel - so the contrast could hardly be greater. Yet somehow both cars just feel "right" for the job they do. I wouldn't swap the Roadster wheel for anything chunky and black, any more than I'd put a woodrim on the Volvo!
