CRG Research Report
First Generation Camaro Steering Wheels
© 2008-2011,
Camaro Research Group
Author -
Reviewed by the CRG
Last Edit: 23-Apr-2011
Previous Edits: 14-Dec-2010, 24-Mar-2009, 17-Nov-2008
Original Release: 11-Nov-2008
|
Index
Introduction
1967 Camaro Dealer Order Form
 |
For the 1967 through 1969 Camaro, a multitude of selections were available to the
consumer for even the most basic of automotive equipment. From seat covers
and mirrors to engines and transmissions, deciding exactly how you wanted
your Camaro configured could be an exasperating experience! Even
seasoned sales staff had difficulty trying to figure out exactly what was, and was
not, available on these cars.
Selecting how you wanted your car to look wasn't simple and even the lowly
steering wheel didn't escape the confusion. There
were standard steering wheels, custom interior steering wheels, optional deluxe
steering wheels, and simulated wood steering wheels.
With so many factory options, plus changes that owners have made over the years, it
can be difficult to figure out how the cars were originally configured. Let's see
if we can straighten it out for you! At least with regard to the steering wheels.
Note: Several first generation Camaro steering wheels were shared with
other Chevrolet and GM models. Although some interchange information is included
below, there are other references 1
available that contain more exact details on 1960's
steering wheel interchangeability.
1967
For 1967, four steering wheels were available in a variety of colors.
The first was the standard steering wheel, included in the purchase price of every
Camaro. This was a three-spoke, molded plastic wheel with a bright, round center
horn button. Very sparse to say the least.
1967 Standard
Steering Wheel
|
|
1967 Standard Wheel
with "RS" horn cap
|
|
1967 Standard Wheel
with "SS-350" horn cap |
|
|
|
|
|
Early 1967 Camaro
Publicity Photo
(with an incorrect horn cap)
 |
Next on the list was the steering wheel included in the RPO Z87 custom interior.
This was the same as the standard steering wheel
(including the bright horn button), but with an additional
T-shaped bright metal trim piece that covered the spokes of the wheel.
Three different horn caps were used with the standard steering wheel and the custom interior steering wheel.
For base, Z28, and SS396 cars, the standard "Camaro" horn button was used. SS350
models received the "SS-350" horn button, and RPO Z22 Rally Sport cars received the "RS"
horn button. If the car was equipped with both the Z28 and RS options,
the "RS" cap was used. If the car was equipped with both the RS and SS350
options, the "SS-350" cap was used. Whereas if the car was equipped with both the RS
and SS396 options, the standard "Camaro" cap was used.
1967 Z87
Steering Wheel |
|
1967 Z87 Wheel with
"RS" horn cap |
|
1967 Z87 Wheel with
"SS-350" horn cap
|
|
|
|
|
|
A much nicer "deluxe" steering wheel was available as RPO N30. The deluxe
steering wheel was optional with either the standard interior or the RPO Z87
custom interior. The same steering wheel was standard on the 1967
Chevrolet full-sized cars (Impala, Caprice, Bel Air, and Biscayne).
It included ribbing on the lower 2/3's of the wheel for
grip and two rectangular horn buttons incorporated into the T-shaped bright metal trim.
It had a horn cap with the Chevrolet "Bow Tie" emblem in the center, even if
the car was equipped with the Super Sport or Rally Sport options. The chrome
horn caps for this wheel were the same for the Chevelle, Impala, and Camaro
models with only the center emblem being different for each.
Finally, the RPO N34 Sport Styled, simulated walnut, wood-grained plastic
steering wheel was an option. For 1967, this wheel was available on any Chevrolet
car (and standard on the 1967 Corvette), regardless of interior styling,
and gave a look of sportiness and elegance to the interior.
This steering wheel was 16 inches in diameter and had a 4 inch "dish"
(the perpendicular distance from the mounting surface to the wheel). It included
three brushed metal spokes and a brushed horn cap with the Chevrolet "Bow Tie" emblem in the
center 2. The
spokes were a two-piece design and overlapped at the center, requiring the correct hub with
a cut-out for the wheel to fit correctly. This differed from the 1963 through 1966 Corvette
wheel, which had the same dish as the Camaro but used a one
piece flat spoke design with no overlap and attached to a hub without the cut-out.
Also note that to be correct, the horn cap should be positioned so the white painted
section is at the top, not the red and blue sections.
1967 N30
Steering Wheel
|
1967 N30
"Bow Tie"
Horn Cap
|
1967 N30
Steering Wheel
(note incorrect
"SS" Horn Cap)
|
1967 N34
Walnut Wheel
(note incorrect horn
cap orientation) |
|
|
|
|
1968
In 1968, ordering was made easier with only three steering wheels
available.
Leading the list was the standard steering wheel,
which was similar to the 1967 RPO Z87 custom interior steering wheel.
It used the same wheel, trim design, and horn caps,
but due to reflective surface laws that were enacted for 1968, the trim and horn
caps now had a brushed or matte finish instead of bright chrome.
Three horn caps were available, with the standard "Camaro" cap on the base
and RPO Z28 models, the "SS" cap on all Super Sport models, and the "RS"
cap on the RPO Z22 Rally Sport equipped models. If the car was equipped
with both RS and SS, the "SS" cap was used. The Rally Sport "RS" cap was used
if both the Z28 and Rally Sport options were ordered.
1968 Standard
Steering Wheel
|
1968 Standard
Steering Wheel
Horn Cap
|
1968 Standard
Steering Wheel
"RS" Horn Cap
|
1968 Standard
Steering Wheel
"SS" Horn Cap
|
|
|
|
|
1968 Dealer Brochure
 |
Next on the list was the RPO N30 deluxe steering wheel. This was a
completely different steering wheel than prior Camaro wheels.
It included ribbing on the lower 2/3's of the wheel for grip and
a T-shaped painted metal shroud with two rectangular horn buttons. The
N30 wheel was available as a stand-alone option for standard interior cars
and was included with RPO Z23 special interior or RPO Z87 custom interior options.
It was also used in the 1968 Chevrolet full-sized cars, Chevelles, and Novas.
A Chevrolet "Bow-Tie"
emblem was placed in the center of the N30 shroud for base, Rally Sport, and Z28
models, while Super Sport models received an "SS" emblem. Two versions of this
wheel were used with the first having black accents on the upper and center
portions of the shroud, and the later versions without the black accents.
Although the exact date of this change isn't known, it appears to have been
sometime in February 1968.
Finally, the RPO N34 simulated walnut, wood-grained plastic wheel was carried
over from the previous year and was available on any Chevrolet car (and standard
on the 1968 Corvette). As in 1967, the spokes were a two piece design and overlapped
at the center, requiring the correct hub with a cut-out for the wheel to fit correctly.
The only horn cap available with
the N34 wood-grained wheel was the brushed cap with the Chevrolet "Bow-Tie" emblem
2.
Early 1968 N30
Steering Wheel
(with black accents)
|
Early 1968 N30
Wheel w/ "SS" emblem
(with black accents) |
Late 1968 N30
Steering Wheel
(without black accents)
|
1968 N34
Walnut Wheel
(with correct horn
cap orientation) |
|
|
|
|
1969
The 1969 standard steering wheel was a completely new design than the
previous two years and had only two spokes instead of three. The wheel
was shared with the Chevrolet full-sized cars, Chevelles, and Novas.
The steering wheel shroud was color matched plastic with two rectangular
horn buttons, instead of the metal shroud of previous years.
There were two slightly different versions of this wheel. The front of
the rim had grooves molded into the circumference about 1/2" apart. One version
was "pebble-grained" between the grooves and the second (and later service
replacement wheels) were "smooth" between the grooves. Although additional data
is required, it appears that these two wheels were used simultaneously throughout
production3.
Also note that although a "deluxe steering wheel" (RPO N30) is referenced in
the early literature packages (and in the Parts and Accessories Manual below),
this wheel was never offered in production.
1969 "pebble-grained"
steering wheel
|
1969 "smooth"
steering wheel
|
1969 Steering Wheel part numbers
(Note that the deluxe wheel was never implemented)
|
|
|
|
Standard interior cars received a color matched pebble-grained facing on
the shroud while RPO Z23 special interior and RPO Z87 custom interior cars
had a wood-grained accent that covered the pebble graining. A center
"Bow-Tie" emblem was included with base, COPO, and Z28 models,
while an "RS" emblem was installed with cars equipped
with the RPO Z22 Rally Sport option. Super Sport models received an "SS"
emblem and, as before, the "SS" emblem overrode the "RS" emblem if the car
was equipped with both options. Also, like before, if the car was equipped
with the combination Z28 and Rally Sport options, the "RS" emblem was utilized.
1969 Standard
Steering Wheel
|
|
1969 Standard Wheel
with "RS" emblem
|
|
1969 Standard Wheel
with "SS" emblem
|
|
|
|
|
|
1969 Z23/Z87
Wood-grained Shroud |
|
1969 Z23/Z87
Wood-grained Shroud
with "RS" emblem |
|
1969 Z23/Z87
Wood-grained Shroud
with "SS" emblem |
|
|
|
|
|
Page 7 of the 1969
Dealer Sales Album
|
Blue SS steering wheel with black center accents
& black horn buttons
|
Blue SS steering wheel with black center accents
& blue horn buttons
|
Note that on some early Camaro SS models with red, green, or blue
interiors, the pebble-grained facing on the horn shroud was black instead
of color matched, as shown on page 7 of the 1969 Camaro Dealers Sales Album
(left). This appears to have been done for the first part of 1969 production.
Also note that in these instances, the horn buttons have been observed in
both black and color matched.
As an upgrade, the RPO N34 simulated wood-grained, plastic wheel
was available. As in 1967 and 1968, the spokes were a two piece
design and overlapped at the center, requiring the correct hub with a cut-out
for the wheel to fit correctly. However, this wheel had a much shallower dish,
only 2.5" depth, than the 67 and 68 wheel. There were two versions
of the 69 N34 wheel. The walnut version was only used for the first few months of
production and is considered rare. Starting in late November 1968, the rosewood
version of the wheel was introduced. It was
dimensionally the same as the earlier walnut version, but it was now
simulated rosewood to match the wood-grained trim on the instrument panel.
NK1 Information Sheet -
April 1969
|
|
RPO NK1 on a Camaro Window Sticker
|
|
The RPO NK1 "Cushioned Rim" steering wheel was introduced in the April 1969
dealer information (right), however
the factory production totals indicate that no 1969 Camaro came equipped with this
wheel. Recently, a car with window sticker documentation has been discovered
that has NK1 and there is also a Canadian documented car with NK1.
The 15" NK1 steering wheel was standard on the 1969 through 1975 Corvette,
optional on the 1969 Camaro, 1970 Chevelle, Monte Carlo, and full-size
passenger cars, and optional on the 1971 through 1975 Buick GS. While being the same
basic design as the 1969 wood-grained steering wheel, the NK1
instead used a textured, hard vinyl outer coating with a stainless steel metal band
around the perimeter. It's interesting to note that although this steering wheel was
available in several colors for the Buick, the Chevrolet version of the wheel was
only available in black! Also note that while Chevrolet referred to this wheel
as the "Cushioned Rim" steering wheel,
Buick referred to it as the "Rallye" steering wheel. It's also incorrectly
referred to as the "Comfort Grip" steering wheel. This mistake most likely began
because of the Chevrolet naming convention of the RPO N33 "Comfortilt", tilt steering
column.
As in the previous two years, the only horn cap available on the
N34 wood-grained wheels (and the NK1 cushioned rim wheel) was the brushed
cap with the Chevrolet "Bow-Tie" emblem 2.
(The NK1 information sheet indicates it used a black vinyl horn cap, but there is no
evidence it was used in production.)
The horn cap should be positioned so the white painted section is at the top,
not the red and blue sections.
Early 1969
Walnut
Steering Wheel
|
Later 1969
Rosewood
Steering wheel
|
1969 NK1
Cushioned Rim
Steering wheel
|
1969 NK1
Cushioned Rim
close-up
|
|
|
|
|
1969 N34
Rosewood Wheel
(note the two-piece
spoke design)
|
1969 N34 & NK1 Hub
(note the cut-out (circled)
for the two-piece wheel)
|
1967-1969
N34 Wood Wheel
& 69 NK1 Horn Cap
|
Original N34 Horn Cap
(note texture of
the center area)
|
|
|
|
|
Other GM Steering Wheels
1. As stated above, the 1967 through 1968 Chevrolet simulated walnut
steering wheel (optional on all carlines including Camaro and standard on the Corvette)
was very similar to the 1963 through 1966 Corvette simulated walnut steering wheel
with the exception of the spokes and corresponding mounting hub. The 1963-66 Corvette
simulated walnut wheel utilized a one-piece spoke design while the 67-68 wood wheel
utilized a two-piece overlapping design. The 1963-66 Corvette mounting hub had no
cut-out while the 1967-69 Camaro hub had a cut-out.
Worth mentioning are two other
early Corvette steering wheels. The 1963 three spoke wheel (with early versions
using a "circular" pattern on the spokes and a "radial" pattern like the Camaro after
June, 1963), and the 1965 through 1966 Corvette optional teak wood wheel. The 1963
Corvette wheel was color matched to correspond to the interior of the car, and the
1965 though 1966 teak wheel was manufactured from actual teak wood, which was laminated
over the circular metal bar. Both of these used the same one-piece spoke design as
the 1963 through 1966 Corvette simulated walnut wheel.
There were other simulated walnut steering wheels used by GM. The
1964-66 Chevrolet models (other than Corvette) and the 1964-66
Buick used a two spoke simulated walnut steering wheel.
The late 1960's Pontiac wheel and the late 1960's Opel Kadett wheel were both
the three spoke simulated walnut steering wheels.
While the two spoke wheels and the Pontiac wheel are very different in appearance to
the 1967-69 Camaro N34 steering wheels, the Opel wheel is very similar.
1963-1966
Corvette
Walnut Wheel) |
Close-up of
the 1963-1966
one-piece
spoke design
|
1963-1966
Corvette Hub
(note the lack
of a cut-out)
|
Close-up of
the 1967-1969
two-piece
spoke design
|
|
|
|
|
1963 Corvette
color-matched
"circular" pattern
three spoke wheel
|
1963 Corvette
"circular" pattern
|
1963 Corvette
"radial" pattern
|
1965-1966
Corvette optional
(real) Teak Wood
Steering Wheel
|
|
|
|
|
64-66 Chevrolet
two spoke
Walnut Wheel
(non-Corvette)
|
1964-1966
Buick two spoke
Walnut Wheel
|
Late 1960's
Pontiac simulated
wood steering
wheel
|
Late 1960's
Opel Kadett
Walnut Wheel
|
|
|
|
|
2. The optional three spoke steering wheel for the 1969 and 1970
Buick GS was similar in appearance to the NK1 cushioned rim steering wheel
and the 1971 through 1975 Buick GS Rallye wheel.
But the 1969 and 1970 Buick GS wheel was 16" in diameter instead of 15", was offered
in a variety of colors to match the interior, was made of hard plastic instead of
hard vinyl, and included a thumb groove for comfort. In fact, this steering wheel is
commonly referred to as the "Thumb Groove" steering wheel in Buick circles.
Also note that the 1970 Buick GSX "Custom" steering wheel is similar in appearance to the
the NK1 Cushioned Rim wheel and the 1971 through 1975 Buick GS Rallye wheel.
However, this wheel used a softer foam rubber grip, had different graining, and
did not have the metal band around the perimeter like the other steering wheels. Like
the 1969 NK1 wheel, this steering wheel was only offered in black. It's interesting to note
that because Don Yenko especially liked this wheel, he made it available on the 1970 Yenko
"Deuce" Nova.
Finally worth mentioning are the two versions of the "Sport Grip" steering wheels used
optionally on the 1970's Olds 442 and Olds Cutlass, and the 1970's Olds Omega and Olds
Starfire. These steering wheels used the same soft foam rubber without the metal perimeter
band as on the 1970 Buick GSX "Custom" steering wheel, but
were of a four spoke design instead of three and were only 14" in diameter. The
1970's Olds Omega and Olds Starfire wheel was decorated with faux threading cast into the
grip and was offered in several colors to match the interior; the 1970's Olds 442 and Olds
Cutlass wheel only came in black and was fairly plain.
NK1 Cushioned Rim
Steering Wheel
in a Corvette
|
1971-1975 Buick GS
15" Colored Rallye
Steering Wheel
|
1969-1970 Buick GS
16" "Thumb Groove"
Steering Wheel
|
|
|
|
1970 Buick GSX (&
1970 Yenko "Deuce"
Nova) 15" Custom
Steering Wheel
|
Comparison of the
1969 NK1 (left)
& the 1970 Buick GSX
(right) Steering Wheels
|
1970's Olds 442
& Olds Cutlass
14" Sport Grip
Steering Wheel
|
1970's Olds Omega
& Olds Starfire
14" Sport Grip
Steering Wheel
(note the faux threads)
|
|
|
|
|
3. As of this writing, the reproduction walnut-grained steering wheels for
1967-1968 (and early 1969) are easy to detect since the graining is completely different
than originals. However, eventually these reproductions will probably get better,
and they may become very difficult to discern from the originals.
4. Note the difference between the 1964-1966 Chevrolet pot metal
wood wheel horn cap, as opposed to the 1967-1969 stamped steel wood wheel horn
cap (below).
5. Although they interchange, the 1969 and 1970 standard steering wheels
used different horn shrouds. The 1969 was pebble-grained while the 1970 had a leather
grained (also known as "camera case") finish. As this was the only service
replacement from Chevrolet for a very long time, the leather grained (camera case)
shroud is now found in many 1969 Camaros. It is incorrect. The 1970 Chevrolet Monte
Carlo came with a burl wood horn shroud. Although this shroud will also interchange
with the 1969 Camaro, it would again be incorrect.
1967-1968
reproduction
wood wheel
|
67-69 N34 stamped
steel horn cap.
Reproduction by
Trim Parts
|
1964-66 Chevrolet
wood wheel
pot metal horn cap
|
1970 & service
leather grained
(aka camera case)
horn shroud
|
1970 Monte Carlo
burl wood
horn shroud
|
|
|
|
|
|
Usage
The charts below show the original part numbers for the steering wheel,
shroud, hub, horn button, etc. for each year.
Not all wheels will show a shroud or hub as these parts were only
required with certain wheels.
Note that these part numbers have probably been superseded several
times over the years.
Visit the Interior Trim Codes
page for a complete list of first generation Camaro interior codes and colors.
1967 Steering Wheel Usage
| Type |
Part Number
and Color |
Hub |
Shroud
and Color |
Horn Cap |
| Base |
9745978 Blue
9745979 Red
9745988 Fawn
9745977 Black
9745981 Gold |
n/a |
n/a |
3899095 Base
3905587 SS-350
3905585 RS |
| Z87 |
9746033 Red
9746031 Black
9746034 Aqua
9746442 Bright Blue
9746035 Gold |
n/a |
9745804 Chrome |
3905583 Base
3905587 SS-350
3905585 RS |
| N30 |
9746439 Blue
9746441 Red
9746436 Black
9746437 Aqua
9746036 Bright Blue
9746438 Gold |
n/a |
9745922 Chrome |
3908382 |
| N34 |
9746195 Walnut |
3930062 |
n/a |
3901313 2 |
1968 Steering Wheel Usage
| Type |
Part Number
and Color |
Hub |
Shroud
and Color |
Emblem or
Horn Cap |
| Base |
9747926 Black
9747930 Gold
9747928 Red
9748416 Blue |
n/a |
9748163 Brushed |
3899095 Base
3928347 SS
3928351 RS |
| N30 |
9747536 Black
9748166 Gold
9748164 Red
9748165 Turquoise
9748483 Blue |
n/a |
9748925 Black
9748935 Gold
9748933 Red
9748934 Turquoise
9748936 Blue |
3925148 Base & RS
3925881 SS |
| N34 |
9748390 Walnut |
3930062 |
n/a |
3901313 2
4
3923667 2
4 |
1969 Steering Wheel Usage
| Type |
Part Number
and Color |
Hub |
Shroud
Color and Style |
Emblem or
Horn Cap |
| Base
|
3939721 Black
3939722 Blue
3939723 Red
3939724 Medium Green
3939725 Midnight Green
|
n/a |
Pebble-Grained
3939766 Black5
3961774 Blue
3961775 Red
3961776 Medium Green
3961778 Midnight Green
w/ Wood-Grain Applique
3939766 Black 5
3961737 Blue
3961795 Red 6
3961796 Medium Green 6
3961738 Midnight Green
|
3939755 Base
3939756 RS
3939758 SS
|
Note that the parts manuals are contradictory on the base 69 steering wheel.
Some manuals list the never-released deluxe wheel; none
list all the shrouds correctly.
|
| N34 |
3937888 Walnut
3960722 Rosewood |
3937896 |
n/a |
3945461 2 |
| NK1 |
3952700 Black |
3937896 |
n/a |
3945461 2 |
Footnotes
1
A suggested reference that contains GM steering wheel information is
"Chevrolet Parts Interchange Manual, 1959-1970 Camaro, Chevelle,
Nova/Chevy II, and Impala" by Paul A. Herd
2
Although the horn caps for the 1967-1969 N34 wood-grained steering
wheel have different part numbers, they all interchange with
only unknown minor differences in design. The appearance of all three part
numbers is similar and any of the three can be used on the N34 wheel.
Original N34
horn caps will have pebble-graining in the black area, while most
reproduction horn caps will have this area as flat black.
Trim Parts is the only manufacturer currently reproducing the wood
wheel horn cap with the correct pebble-graining in the center section.
3
It is unknown at this time if the "pebble-grained" and the "smooth" 1969
standard steering wheels were used simultaneously throughout the entire model-year
run, due to limited actual usage data. This continues to be an
ongoing CRG research topic, and if you have an original car with the standard
steering wheel ("pebble-grained" or "smooth"), and would like to contribute, please
the author or add a post to the
appropriate CRG forum topic.
4
The 3901313 horn cap was used until May 1968. The 3923667 superseded the 3901313
horn cap and was used from May 1968 until the start of the 1969 model year.
5
This shroud had a note "Paint to match" and thus was intended as a service
replacement in 1969 for all models and all colors. For use on cars w/o Z23 or Z87, the rosewood
insert would need to be removed before installing. Note that this part number
was replaced in 1970 by 3972735, but now consisted of the rosewood accent laminated
over a leather-grain shroud instead of the original 1969 pebble-grain shroud.
Note that a black pebble-grained (non-woodgrained) shroud was not released.
6
These are 1970 service replacement part numbers and consisted of the rosewood
applique laminated over a leather-grain shroud instead of the original 1969
pebble-grain shroud.
