[Duettissimo]

How common are nice original (or original style reproductions) for 67 Duettos? Mine isn't horrible and I was thinking to have it refurbed or replaced sometime in the future, staying original rather than go Nardi or some other year's style. Refurbs aren't cheap so I wonder how much it'd cost to replace and if that's really possible - I've never seen one for sale.

 

[otteud96]

I like the later wood wheel. All or most of the plastic wheels crack and the grip diameter of the wood wheel is a little bigger. To have it refurbished is expensive as well. Good luck

 

[zedsn]

You can epoxy, sand and then paint your steering wheel over the winter and reinstall it in the spring. I redid a mgb and mga steering wheel of mine. There are you tube videos and that way you have an original steering wheel still on your car,

 

[Duettissimo]

You can epoxy, sand and then paint your steering wheel over the winter and reinstall it in the spring. I redid a mgb and mga steering wheel of mine. There are you tube videos and that way you have an original steering wheel still on your car,

Thanks, that's a worthwhile option, I'll check them out.

Do you know is there a way to refurbish the gold emblem inside the center wheel cap from the way it's deteriorated in both my and otteud96's wheels?

 

[zedsn]

As far as the emblem goes just buy a new one.

 

[Alfajay]

I like the later wood wheel.

Everyone is entitled to their own sense of style, and I respect otteud96's tastes. However, I myself would never put a wood-rimmed wheel in a car that has no other wood elements in its interior. It just doesn't fit. Perhaps on a Jaguar with a walnut dash and shift knob. Plus, the rim on that wooden wheel is, well, chubby - the original wheel has a thin, delicate rim that suits the subtle character of the Duetto.

Duettissimo: why don't you tell us what's wrong with your existing wheel? Yea, I know the gold in the hub is faded (see Classic Alfa p/n AC-067). But is the black plastic cracked? If so, as zedsn wrote, it can be repaired fairly easily. Used wheels do come up for sale from time to time; check the "parts for sale & wanted" section of the BB.

 

[Duettissimo]

Everyone is entitled to their own sense of style, and I respect otteud96's tastes. However, I myself would never put a wood-rimmed wheel in a car that has no other wood elements in its interior. It just doesn't fit. Perhaps on a Jaguar with a walnut dash and shift knob. Plus, the rim on that wooden wheel is, well, chubby - the original wheel has a thin, delicate rim that suits the subtle character of the Duetto.

Duettissimo: why don't you tell us what's wrong with your existing wheel? Yea, I know the gold in the hub is faded (see Classic Alfa p/n AC-067). But is the black plastic cracked? If so, as zedsn wrote, it can be repaired fairly easily. Used wheels do come up for sale from time to time; check the "parts for sale & wanted" section of the BB.

It's cracked at the three spoke stress points. Hopefully they're not too bad and can be fixed per zedsn's advice. My DIY talents aren't great so I've contacted a local specialist that beautifully restores vintage wheels and charges accordingly ( I wouldn't be surprised to get a $400+ estimate).

But until this thread, I just presumed the emblem was built into the wheel (#godblessalfabb). The old one can be pulled off and replaced with that adhesive badge? I'm unsure because Classic Alfa says AC-067 is 40mm and for post 1970 Spiders (my 67 Duetto measures ~51 mm OD), but in the AC-070 listing says it will fit '67s.

 

[Alfajay]

I've contacted a local specialist that beautifully restores vintage wheels and charges accordingly ( I wouldn't be surprised to get a $400+ estimate).

Yes, I wouldn't expect a restorer to charge less. A used wheel might cost less and be better than the one you have, but still have some cracks near where the spokes attach. My own Duetto wheel has some cracks there.

But until this thread, I just presumed the emblem was built into the wheel (#godblessalfabb). The old one can be pulled off and replaced with that adhesive badge? I'm unsure because Classic Alfa says AC-067 is 40mm and for post 1970 Spiders (my 67 Duetto measures ~51 mm OD), but in the AC-070 listing says it will fit '67s.

When I searched the Classic Alfa website, I too was a bit puzzled by the AC-070 description saying that the AC-067 fits early 105's, but the AC-067 description saying that it fits "1970 onwards". However, my '67 Duetto center cap does measure 40mm in diameter (is yours really 51?mm?), so it looks like mine would accept the AC-067. If yours really is 51mm, you might contact Classic Alfa and ask for clarification. I have found them to be very responsive to questions like this; they seem to want their website descriptions to be accurate, which I'm sure cuts down on returns.

 

[zedsn]

There are a couple of guys on the mg experience forum that do epoxy steering wheels for a living and you might want to contact them. Yours is in good shape compared to my 2 that I did. You need a dremel and a little metal grinding shank to remove a small amount of plastic material and then epoxy over the cracks and sand. Then you prime and wet sand and then use black rustolium epoxy paint then go to an auto paint place and get a can of their house brand clear and clear a few coats and then wet sand and polish if need be when dry.

 

[Duettissimo]

Yes, I wouldn't expect a restorer to charge less. A used wheel might cost less and be better than the one you have, but still have some cracks near where the spokes attach. My own Duetto wheel has some cracks there.



When I searched the Classic Alfa website, I too was a bit puzzled by the AC-070 description saying that the AC-067 fits early 105's, but the AC-067 description saying that it fits "1970 onwards". However, my '67 Duetto center cap does measure 40mm in diameter (is yours really 51?mm?), so it looks like mine would accept the AC-067. If yours really is 51mm, you might contact Classic Alfa and ask for clarification. I have found them to be very responsive to questions like this; they seem to want their website descriptions to be accurate, which I'm sure cuts down on returns.

I re-measured more carefully and it is 40mm 🤦‍♂️. How dare I question Classic Alfa.
Glad to hear about these options. I've seen a pristine Duetto wheel for sale that was $1000. Is that considered high or just the going price?

 

[zedsn]

If you need me to get you names and numbers let me know. I would do yours but I am not a pro like these guys are.

 

[goats]

the adhesive-backed classic alfa badge is not a good replacement for your original. Keep the original and the wheel as is unless your car is a show queen. The skinny black resin wheel is ideal for the light , tight character of an early spider (or early S2 as I have).

 

[Alfajay]

I've seen a pristine Duetto wheel for sale that was $1000. Is that considered high or just the going price?

I have no idea. As the old expression goes, they're worth whatever someone will pay for them.

 

[Duettissimo]

There are a couple of guys on the mg experience forum that do epoxy steering wheels for a living and you might want to contact them. Yours is in good shape compared to my 2 that I did. You need a dremel and a little metal grinding shank to remove a small amount of plastic material and then epoxy over the cracks and sand. Then you prime and wet sand and then use black rustolium epoxy paint then go to an auto paint place and get a can of their house brand clear and clear a few coats and then wet sand and polish if need be when dry.

Yes, I wouldn't expect a restorer to charge less. A used wheel might cost less and be better than the one you have, but still have some cracks near where the spokes attach. My own Duetto wheel has some cracks there.



When I searched the Classic Alfa website, I too was a bit puzzled by the AC-070 description saying that the AC-067 fits early 105's, but the AC-067 description saying that it fits "1970 onwards". However, my '67 Duetto center cap does measure 40mm in diameter (is yours really 51?mm?), so it looks like mine would accept the AC-067. If yours really is 51mm, you might contact Classic Alfa and ask for clarification. I have found them to be very responsive to questions like this; they seem to want their website descriptions to be accurate, which I'm sure cuts down on returns.

I remeasured it more carefully and it is 40mm 🤦‍♂️ . How

If you need me to get you names and numbers let me know. I would do yours but I am not a pro like these guys are.

Please, thanks, that would be great. I roamed the MGExp and found Mike in FL. Beautiful work, but I wish he was closer to SoCal.

 

[Duettissimo]

the adhesive-backed classic alfa badge is not a good replacement for your original. Keep the original and the wheel as is unless your car is a show queen. The skinny black resin wheel is ideal for the light , tight character of an early spider (or early S2 as I have).

Definitely want to stay skinny and original looking. I'm restoring it just for me, but would like everything to be as pretty as possible within a reasonable non-rotisserie budget. What problem have you seen with Classic's badge? It's only $10, so is it cheaply made, likely to fail or just not a good match?

 

[goats]

it attaches from the front side I think - I have one somewhere that I was thinking about using but after seeing it I said NO WAY

 

[zedsn]

Mike in Florida and the other guy is in NY. Maybe find someone near you?

 

[Duettissimo]

it attaches from the front side I think - I have one somewhere that I was thinking about using but after seeing it I said NO WAY

From the front looks right, which means removing the old emblem somehow. If the whole center assembly is easily swappable, it might be worth the $60 to try an alt set (AC071 + AC067).

Has anyone else had good or bad experience replacing one or both of those?

 

[zedsn]

That is what I was talking about the whole thing as far as replace. Then you could sell your original and get some of your money back.

 

[Duettissimo]

Mike in Florida and the other guy is in NY. Maybe find someone near you?

So far, the only someone I know near me is expen$ive. Can't hurt to contact your MG guys though. Do you have a link for the NY guy?