7 replies to this topic

[Ol timer]

My 1972 leyland Mk3 is a bit of a Bitza. I am slowly turning it into a poor looking MORRIS Mk1 Look alike however I am unsure what Mini the steering wheel badge I have is off. And what Morris badge would be right for my look alike ...I have the following badge already on it


Thanks in advance
Kevin

Attached Files

•  Screenshot_20210510-121145_eBay.jpg   199.82K   3 downloads

[Richard_]

I believe that's a mk3 steering wheel centre.

Mk1s have the Morris red  shield emblem or possibly the 'M' emblem?

Someone on here will correct me.

Edited by Richard_, 10 May 2021 - 11:30 AM.

[MiniCarJack]

The badge you have in the picture is the correct original one for your 1972 Mini. If you want to go for a Mk1 look, they originally had a horn push in the centre with either an Austin or Morris badge (there were also Wolseley and Riley versions for the Hornet and Elf which are shown alongside in this photo):

 

 

Fitting these requires either an original Mk1 steering wheel with the small hole to screw the hornpush assembly into place, or the correct type of aftermarket boss (commonly known as a 'tulip' boss) from the likes of Moto Lita, part number B1OE, which will allow you to fit a Moto Lita steering wheel which were a popular '60s accessory for Minis and many other cars.

[Ol timer]

Thanks for your reply. That's been very helpful. . Looks like I need to find a mk1 wheel. Will it fit onto a mk3 steering column ?

[MiniCarJack]

Thanks for your reply. That's been very helpful. . Looks like I need to find a mk1 wheel. Will it fit onto a mk3 steering column ?

 

The steering wheel should go onto the column no problem as I'm fairly certain the spline count is the same, I just doubt you'll be able to wire up the central horn button easily with a later column (no wire running up through the middle). But if it's just the style you're going for then you should be fine. Original Mk1 steering wheels aren't easy to come by these days, I have one myself but am keeping it aside as it's the original one to my car. They do come up on eBay occasionally but make sure to check whether it does have the correct hole at the bottom, sometimes people mistake Mk2-on wheels as the Mk1 type and list them incorrectly, but they won't accept the Mk1 horn push assembly without the hole.

[Gilles1000]

Just a side thought, would it be possible to drill the screw hole on a MK2 to make an MK1 steering wheel? Is it the only difference besides the horn button?

[MiniCarJack]

Just a side thought, would it be possible to drill the screw hole on a MK2 to make an MK1 steering wheel? Is it the only difference besides the horn button?

 

Possibly, though strictly speaking, it's not just a hole drilled through the bakelite - there's actually a metal insert where the small screw goes through, and this must also be there for providing an electrical earth point. I just got my wheel out and have taken a couple of photos to show how it looks in more detail. Another thing to consider is I'm not sure how well one of these would hold up to being drilled, particularly being so old. Even the newest of these bakelite wheels will be over 40 years old by now. As you can see from my photos, a very common fault on these wheels is splitting or cracking from the hole. 

 

 

 

I'd wonder if it might end up being an easier (and potentially cheaper) option to simply purchase a B1/OE Moto Lita boss which will allow the fitment of a period aftermarket wheel while retaining the original Mk1 horn push/badge assembly. This is what I currently run in my Mk1:

 

 

It's far more comfortable than the old "bus wheel" and still looks very 1960's. Wheels like these can be purchased brand new, as can the boss kit, though they're commonly available second hand which could possibly be cheaper than finding an original Mk1 bus wheel in good nick, they seem to go for silly money if they're in reasonable condition. I have been tempted to part with mine a couple of times but I do want to keep it in case I ever decide to return the car to a more standard look.

Edited by MiniCarJack, 10 May 2021 - 09:28 PM.

[mab01uk]

Moto-lita steering wheels are great and in period for a mk1:-

https://www.moto-lit...teering-wheels/