Ok, I'm board and it's stinking hot out there. So I thought I'd ask something different.
Given that a lot of aftermarket steering wheels are considered illegal due to having no crash pad, has anyone every seen, heard of or made their own steering wheel???
Now I know it sounds a bit mad, but aside from looks, most people prefer an after market steering wheel due to their ergonomics. I know I prefer the feel first and the looks second.
So that gave me the idea of making a smaller diameter wheel based on the existing Alfa steering wheel, with a thicker rim and maybe notches at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. If done well this would give a factory appearance and negligable, if any, unwanted attention.
This is a very nicely executed example of modifying an existing 916 GTV wheel while keeping the airbag. From a taiwan forum (see page 10 onwards);
http://www.alfaclub.com.tw/viewthread.php?tid=36607&extra=&page=10
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRaqAI3SdjfL0ujgf5lGbMjFieVjC4ynqxDA1SeqhCKT60qSVd-w7VyUyii7A)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6458807585_eff8b36719.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7148/6464681845_5ef5687de3.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7020/6499265783_19e32c99fa.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6499269345_43852da221.jpg)
Thatnk's for those photos and the link Davo. Stylishly that's what I'm talking about! 8)
By doing that sort of thing on top of reduced wheel diameter, I think an ideal 'Factory-esk' wheel could be produced.
That way you get the looks, the ergonomics and the driving pleasure/feel, all while looking entirely integrated.