Steering Wheel Adapters

[wmiller]

Got a quick question. Does anyone understand why the standard three spoke woodgrain e-body steering wheel came mounted on a corrugated (collapsible style) adapter and the Rimblow came on a straight adapter. Either wheel will fit either adapter and the only difference I can see is the length of the two are different by about 2 3/4". I restore these wheels and had a customer ask me why the difference and I can't answer him. I have always heard that the Rimblow style came with the straight (shorter) adapter which also fit the "Tuff" style wheel. I would appreciate any help and thanks in advance.

[440six]

All E-bodies came with the corrugated (collapsible style) adapters and when models such as Vialiants, Darts, Satellites, Coronets etc. were ordered with the rimblow or tuff wheel option the smaller smooth adapter had to be used. The reason is that in these models the standard steering wheels were built longer (deeper). So to keep the Steering column distance correct when the flat rimblow or tuff wheels were ordered this spacer was required.