Hi everybody,
Ive got a nice dark blue 1963 3.4 Mark 2 Manual with no Power Steering. It lives with me in Sydney. While the steering is heavy on parking I have found that by using thin tyres (185) and keeping the tyres firmly pumped up (36psi) the steering is not so heavy.
Anyway I'm looking to replace the standard steering wheel with a 16 inch Moto Lita wood wheel. The ones I like are the E-type wood rimmed wheels. I have seen them on several cars though I'm not sure they were Moto Lita. Does anyone have this sort of wheel on their car? I'm finding it hard to get information on what Boss I would need, or even if it might fit. Surprisingly the people at Moto Lita are not sure either!
Thanks,
john

 

yes the E-type will fit. This website has a good overview text and pics
British Autowood > Steering Wheels


I just purchased mine from Ebay years ago, I do not know if it was Moto Lita or not but there are many similar ones sold at Ebay & Amazon that will work on a MK2. I attached the pic of the one I have on my 3.8s it was only about $175


You might also consider upgrading your car to power steering.

 

John not sure how much of a purist you are but there was an optional wood wheel for the MK2--look for a Derrington. You may like the look Jaguar seemed to.

 

Motolita is an old company, they should have the proper hub or "boss" for your car. i would go elsewhere since the steering wheel Seller should provide the hub too. Moss Motors in California has a line of steering wheels like Nardi, Momo, or Motolita called "Tourist Trophy". Excellent quality in wood or leather and half the price. They have the hubs and the horn push with emblems too.

 

these are sold on eBay UK complete with hub and horn push for under $200.00.

 

Cass
Thanks for your offer but I am keeping the Derrington steering wheel as I like to stir up the Jag pundits with my much modified 1960 2.4.car
i.e. SU carbies, 3.77 diff., full synchro OD gearbox, S type seats, late model "drum" air cleaner, Australian manufactured VH40 brake booster, etc.

Derrington steering wheel in 1960 Mk2 2.4

 

And for those pundits that pick it; yes, I still have a moss box gearshift knob instead of the correct knob where reverse is left and back

 

Tell those idiots at Moto-Lita that you need their B33 Boss available polished or black ~ its even on their web page. They can even supply you with their E Type horn push. SMH

Or you can go to SNG Barratts & they can supply you the Moto-Lita hub (Same hub) & accessories. They carry Moto-Lita. If you go to Barratts you can be assured of the correct hub & accessories. They will supply it as a B33H (thats the boss kit) I have one in front of me. It fit's my S Type perfectly. It will fit your Mk2 equally well.

Don't buy cheap. Buy quality. It could mean your life. Moto-Lita & Nardi (Itally) provide quality. I have a larger (second circle) Jaguar Coventry badge for mine.




Note Derrinton wheels require a special hub.

 

Note in the Motto Lita range. Derrington OE wheels require the following hub/boss kit. Available Black or polished.

Jag Derrington OEM B33C

£175.00 Excl VAT £210.00 Inc VAT

 

I found this 16" steering wheel for my S type

 

Is that fake wood?
I thought the rim was supposed to be wood and the spokes metal.
Not to my liking at all. I hope you didn't spend a lot of money on it.

 

it's laminated with veneer. The wheel is wood over metal. It's like a Derrington without the plastic horn cover or chromed horn push, but an extra spoke.
17" diameter is too big, 15" diameter too small, so I'm going with 16" diameter.

picture of the rear:

 

I went with 15 as I have a decent PAS system being the later Adwest Marles Variomatic which has a smaller lock to lock and the 15 gives me more feel.
I like the fact you think this is like a Derrington but without the plastic horn cover or chromed horn push, but an extra spoke because it clearly does not have other things a Derrington should have like a wooden rim with rivets or polished metal spokes but if I squint at the photos I can see what you mean.

 

Here is one on a friends S Type that I used partially as a reference due to it being mainly unmolested. As I said above Moto-Lita can supply the hub in polished or black. They can also supply the E Type horn push rather than a generic. The only horn push they have had reproduced properly.

 

If I remember correctly, Coombs offered an E-type wheel and horn push as an option on their cars. It's something I have mixed feelings about mainly because 'E-type' is emblazoned across it. I don't like the Derrington option; with the standard horn push and half-ring, it's neither here nor there, neither 60s luxury cruiser nor sports saloon. Certainly for a Mk2, my preference is a wood or leather rim, bare aluminium spokes with a few holes or whatever to break up the surface, and a 1950s Mk1/XK150/MkVII horn push. I'm all for wood veneers - my X150 XK is one of the minority with that option and I'm pleased that it is. But it shouldn't enter too far into the functional parts, at least on a Mk2 with its more sporting orientation. My car will not receive an S-type centre dash, though I have one in my parts pile, nor centre console, nor veneer on the steering wheel spokes. If I owned an S-type or 420, I might take a different view.

 

My biggest objection to a Derrington is that the horn ring clatters on the lower vertical spoke of the wheel. I also prefer it with an S Type centre cover & horn push.

I prefer this woodrim that Vic Derrington made as an option for Lyons for Jaguar. Jaguar Part No. C25198

 

​​​​​​
That's much closer to looking the part! The standard Derrington rattle can be treated with a small rubber/nylon/plastic bump stop, the type found on the doors of kitchen cabinets.

 

Gee. I didn't know Derrington steering wheels were supposed to rattle.
I will have to speak firmly to mine as without the rattle it is not really authentic.
It is definitely letting the side down!
Cheers

 

Bill, You should ask for a refund. It's similar to the Mk2 speedo. The standard model has its characteristic double frequency oscillation at 80m/h. If it gives a steady reading at that speed, the cable and speedometer require attention. A good, sharp bend of the cable should put it right for ever.

 

LOL! Bump stops usually fall off with time.