9 replies to this topic

[Lennyliverpool]

After watching Top gear last night i would love to fit one of those "square bottomed" steering wheels that
where on those super cars

Does anybody have one fitted to their mini?

If so where did you get it from and how much was it?

Thanks

Lenny

[R1minimagic]

http://www.google.co...iw=1280&bih=685

[Cooperman]

Anyone remember the Allegro which had what was known as a 'Quartic' steering wheel. It was square in overall shape and absolutely horrible to drive with. The problem with non-round steering wheels on road cars is that the hands need to rotate the wheel more than 180 degrees, whereas in racing the driver just holds the wheel in one hand position and crosses his arms to get full lock, never going beyond 180 degrees of lock.

[Lennyliverpool]

Perhaps not an allegro one lol!

[Ethel]

Don't knock the Quartic wheel, it was highly innovative design, and a great benefit to blind drivers.

[Ethel]

Well maybe not, but I bet they'd have got a government grant if they'd applied on those terms!

[Cooperman]

I bought a new Cortina GT Mk.3 around that time and it had an oval wheel. I changed it straight away for an Astrali round one.

[Wil_h]

My Wife's 500 abarth has a flat bottom (unlike my wife!) and I never notice it other than it has more leg room when going in a straight line.

[jeffm5150]

Although it's not square, I have a flat bottom wheel on my Mini.

I have something like the Momo Super Quadro (do a google search and you can see some images) on my '73 MKIII. I used to love it because the flat spot gives a bit of leg-to-wheel gap, but after using it for a while I find it a bit annoying, mainly because you can't release the grip slightly and have the wheel slide through your hands when exiting a turn. After driving the car on track for a few seasons I've found that I really hate the flat bottom wheel.

A previous owner installed it, otherwise I wouldn't be using it.

[Wigeon Incognito]

My Wife's 500 abarth has a flat bottom (unlike my wife!) and I never notice it other than it has more leg room when going in a straight line.

I was driving a 500 Abarth yesterday and like you say the only real advantage seemed to be legroom. I have to say, I do think the 500 Abarth has more Mini character than the MINI - if the steering was more feelsome it'd be even better (and yes I did use Sport mode).