Steering wheel • The Dodge Challenger Message Board

by **Christer** » 21 Oct 2001 19:46

I wonder how common the steering wheel with 3 polished spokes and a "Rim blow" horn is (Code S83, Year 1970).

by **dave-r** » 21 Oct 2001 21:14

Not very. It was not popular at the time because it kept going off accidently. Some people had them converted to the normal type horn.

This all goes to making them desirable now of course.

The polished spoke version without the rim blow feature was not avilable on the Challenger.

by **Christer** » 22 Oct 2001 10:04

I got this steering wheel on my car but I can not really see how it can go off accidently. (One double-check: I am talking about the steering wheel to the right on your page)
I like the styling of this steering wheel so I am quite happy to have it on my car.

by **dave-r** » 22 Oct 2001 10:43

The horn operates by squeezing any part of the wheel rim. When going around corners gripping the wheel tighter would sound the horn so a lot of people had them converted to normal operation with the center push-pad. You can tell your wheel is a rim blow because the back side of the rim is black with a woodgrain front half.

There is a wheel that looks the same that was offered on Chargers (I think) but these were never fitted to Challengers. These ones have a solid woodgrain plastic rim and the back side of the rim is not black. Up until a few years ago you used to see a lot of 'restored' cars at shows and in the magazines with this steering wheel.

Because of the problems with the rim-blow they dropped the idea later on.

by **Christer** » 22 Oct 2001 12:06

Very intresting and new to me. Thanks.
The horn on my steering wheel is only operated by the push-pad in the center. (I have totally misunderstood this "Rim-blow"-thing)

by **dave-r** » 22 Oct 2001 13:31

Be very careful not to ask about a 'Rim-Blow' in any gay bars or night clubs!

by **Hans** » 22 Oct 2001 15:06

Sounds like you've been there more then once Dave...

by **dave-r** » 22 Oct 2001 15:22

Still walking like John Wayne to this day Hans!

My fault for bending over to pick up a Pound coin that turned out to be nailed to the floor.

by **Christer** » 22 Oct 2001 19:21

I just noticed that I do not have any S83 option on my fender tag. The steering wheel have probably been replaced by some previous owner, I guess. I am not sorry for that replacement.
I will not mention anything about 'Rim-Blow' in gay bars or night clubs. Thanks for saving my ass :-)

by **Jack T** » 23 Oct 2001 3:04

The steering wheel option code might not appear on your fender tag, just as the tire, wheel and hubcap codes wouldn't. It would be on the build sheet, however, and if you have that you can find out what steering wheel came with your car when it rolled off the line.

by **Christer** » 23 Oct 2001 5:43

I see. (Thanks for the information)
Is it a stupid question to ask if it is impossible to get a build sheet if you haven´t got one?

by **Christer** » 02 Nov 2001 10:49

Information: The option steering wheel (S83) is always of the "Rim Blow" type. One sign is a cable on the back of the spoke that´s pointing downwards (when driving straight). This cable is not connected on my car and I guess that is the case with many other cars (due to the risk of blowing the horn unwittingly).