Transform your vintage Volkswagen''s interior from standard to show-stopper with the EMPI White Banjo Steering Wheel. This wheel is a masterful reproduction of the iconic Petri design that graced the most luxurious European coaches and early high-end Beetles. The "Banjo" style is legendary among air-cooled enthusiasts for its distinct wire-spoke construction, which mimics the strings of a banjo, offering a lightweight yet incredibly strong structural feel. When you grip this 15.5-inch diameter wheel, you aren''t just steering a vehicle; you are connecting with the golden era of automotive design. The brilliant white finish provides a crisp, clean aesthetic that pops against any dashboard color, whether you are running a bone-stock restoration or a customized Cal-Look cruiser. This isn''t just a replacement part; it''s a centerpiece that defines the entire cockpit of your VW.
The EMPI 79-4064-0 kit is engineered to be a comprehensive solution for those looking to upgrade their driving experience. Included in this premium package is the high-quality white steering wheel, a stunningly polished chrome horn ring, and a detailed black and chrome center horn button featuring the classic Wolfsburg-style crest. Every piece of hardware needed for the assembly of the wheel itself is included, ensuring that the fit and finish meet the high standards expected by Appletree Auto customers. It is important to remember that this design utilizes a modular mounting system, allowing it to be adapted to various steering column splines across different decades of production. By combining vintage styling with modern manufacturing tolerances, EMPI has created a steering wheel that offers better durability and a more consistent finish than aging, cracked original units found at swap meets.
This steering wheel is designed to be universal across many air-cooled platforms provided the correct Boss Kit (installation hub) is used. Please verify your steering column year before ordering.
1. Selecting the Correct Boss Kit for Your Column
One of the most common mistakes we see is customers ordering the wheel without the necessary Boss Kit hub. The steering wheel itself has a universal bolt pattern, but your VW column has a specific spline count and diameter that changed over the years. If you have an early "Large Nut" column (1949-1959), you must use the 79-4062-0 hub. For the "Small Nut" columns found in the 60s and early 70s, the 79-4063-0 is the standard. Always double-check your column nut size before finalizing your order to ensure a seamless installation on the first try.
2. Perfecting the Horn Grounding Circuit
When installing a Banjo wheel with a chrome horn ring, the most frequent technical hurdle is getting the horn to trigger reliably without "ghosting" (honking on its own during turns). Ensure that your steering column ground wire is intact and that the contact ring on the back of the Boss Kit is lightly lubricated with conductive grease. When assembling the horn ring and button, make sure the tension springs are seated correctly; this prevents the chrome ring from making premature contact with the wheel spokes, which is the most common cause of a stuck horn.
3. Maintaining the Brilliant White Finish
To keep your white Banjo wheel looking like it just came out of the box, you need to be mindful of the oils and dirt on your hands. We recommend cleaning the rim regularly with a mild soap and water solution or a dedicated interior plastic cleaner that does not contain harsh solvents. Avoid using heavy silicone-based dressings, as these can make the wheel slippery and dangerous during spirited driving. If you are working on the car, it''s a great habit to toss a clean microfiber towel over the wheel to prevent greasy fingerprints from staining the white finish.