hi all is it possible to change lets say a 1972 type 3 sterring wheel all plastic with a 1970 type wheel with the metal horn ring type
thanks rob

You can, but be sure to break off the wiper switch and chuck it over the back fence so your new steering wheel can actually turn

Spokes on the old ones hit the later wiper switches.

can u change that as well just dont think that would look anygood

I thought they had different splines ?

another good point have had my 72 out before long time ago but never seen an earlier model so really dont know

They'll fit, the splines didnt change till 74 after type3s stopped.

Quick fix around it- I'm pretty sure a baywindow kombi wiper switch would fit, they have a straight stalk which would probably clear the spokes

More authentic fix would be get an earlier ignition switch housing with only the indicator stalk, no wiper stalk and fit a dash switch but that would mean swapping the wiper motor too.

lota work just for an early steering wheel which was discontinued cos they split peoples foreheads open in accidents.

Theres plenty of nice sports steering wheels out there.

how? I can't even reach into first when the seat is set back let alone even get my head within half a meter of the steering wheel with my neck stretched forward.

you must be talking about type 1s

It would probably scare you to see what happens to the human body in high impact accidents, especially in cars as old and unsafe as VWs

Frontal impact accidents drives the steering column up through the dash and through the driver

They came out with the safety collapsible columns which lessens the effects but it doesnt stop it completely.

Do a search for some old type 3 crash test photos on the samba.

thanks for the info i think i'll chuck that idea out the window sounds like to much of a muck around

yeah but my car has collapsible column with old style wheel.

The only different in all the type 3's I have had in this respect was the steering wheel it self. but then again I haven't have real early type 3's

Is yours a 70-71?

Way off topic I know but I just don't get why people want to remove safety features for looks.

The 4 spoke wheels also had a collapsible hub as well as the collapsible column.

Other than cosmetic changes the 60s 2 spoke wheel didnt really change from when it started in 60 to stopping in 71.
over seas had the non ring type horn button thats bout it.

50s Batwing wheels were the real killers though.

If I ever owned an early car I would definately be swapping in a late collapsible column.

Can't find any early type3 with non collapsible columns crash test pics but you can see what happens with a bug with only small front enders

oh wow thats bad. you can buff that out

Glad I do have a thing for bugs or buses.

anyway I quite like the late steering wheel as thats what i am used to but I would change it from its early one, only coz I know that is what it came out with.

I want to keep at least most of it originality.

I fitted a VDM to my late fastback, same problem as an earlier wheel so removed the wiper stalk and rewired to an earlier model, pre 69 switch which were a twist switch mounted on the dash. The dash should already have some holes there, perhaps under blanks.

yes the banks are hole for these switches and knobs.