Nardi

[Audiophile]

I am looking for the model number of the Nardi adapter for both a 1966 and 1970 SL.  Also the installation is not evident to me with the horn button.  Can anyone lend a hand?  Thanks and Merry Christmas.

Mark

[rogerh113]

Hi,

I have a '66, and have yet to figure out the horn.  I can only assume after some research that there were two types of horn activation at the steering wheel - once mechanical and one electrical.  My '66 has a mechanical activation, and I ended up with an electrical activation horn button.  If you are having the same situation on your '66, when you install the adapter the electical wiper on the 'bottom' of the adapter will close the horn circuit (and you will have an opportunity to hear how loud your horn is).  If you remove the two screws and the brass wiper, you can use the adapter but the horn won't work.  If indeed this is what is happening to you, I will be very interested in your solution.  If it does turn out to be a mechanical activator hub adapter, I would be interested in the part number (and a source).

Regards -- Roger

[al_lieffring]

I bought a Nardi wheel for my 66-230sl back in 79 because at that time the original steering wheel was out of production.
The adapter that is sold now is still the same.
I ended up reversing the polarity of the 2 wires going to the switch plate in the column and removed the adjusting stud to prevent the horn from honking when the brass wiper contacted it. It worked, but made a scraping sound whenever the wheel was turned. and this brass wiper quickly wore down.

I currently have the contact strap removed and I soldered the wire from the horn button to the inner race of the "bicycle bearing" that the original horn ring contacted against. It took lots of electrical tape and 2 O rings as spacers to make it work without accidentaly grounding out.

I would rather have back my long-gone shaggy looking original wheel than this "stylish" piece of junk. On pre 68 cars just don't buy a Nardi.

Al


66 230sl
113-042-10-014715
904/396 blue, Ivory Tex
condition: not-as-rusty-as-before-bucket

[Audiophile]

I am going to see if I can put the wheel on this weekend.  I have serveral adapters.  One is Nardi model 04301-14-2801 and the other is stamped on teh adapter 0130.  Which one is correct the 2801 is shorter than the 0130 but are both similiar in design.

[rwmastel]

I went to www.nardiusa.com and got redirected here:
http://www.classicowheels.com/homepage.htm

Call these people, see if they can help.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[DavidAPease]

Hi, Al,

I have a pretty nice black steering wheel (original 1966 version, but not shaggy-looking I'm afraid), along with a black center pad that I bought new about 5 years ago and only used for a year or so.  (I have an off-white interior, and it just begged for an ivory wheel and white pad, so I indulged it.)  I don't know what your interior color is, but you can have those pieces to replace your Nardi if you want them.

-David Pease
'66 French 230SL

[Tom]

The adapter needed from Nardi is #3320.  This number is etched on the back side of the adapter.

1971 280sl Tunis Beige Metallic (restored & enhanced)
1971 280sl Tobacco Brown (low mileage stock)
1970 280sl Beach Driver with a touch of rust

[Audiophile]

Does the Nardi adapter 3320 work with the mechanical horn of a 1966 230SL or does it have wipers where the brushes of the steering column make contact with the brass rings of the adapter?

[bsimaz]

I have a nardi wheel on my '66 230sl.   It was there when I bought the car.  I tried to swap it out with a wheel from a later model (69-70) and it wouldn't work.  Caused the griding sound when I turned the wheel.  However I do not have the wiper on the turn signal either.  (another feature that was installed).  It seemed to me there was a lip on the steering column that was too high to allow me to install the (69-70) wheel.  I'd like to change it for an original buy haven't found one yet.

Bill Simaz
'66 230sl
Back on the Road