Rarest Momo steering wheel on the planet

[Mark Morrissey]

. . . and probably the most expensive too. Still, pretty darned amazing.
on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Early-vintage-Momo-Monza-large-diameter-steering-wheel_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZalgoQ3dSIQ26itsQ 3dIQ252BCQ26ituQ3dUCIQ252BUAQ252BFICSQ26otnQ3d15Q2 6poQ3dLVIQ26psQ3d54QQ_trksidZp3907Q2em263QQcategor yZ140729QQitemZ180359372934QQsalenotsupported#ht_5 00wt_1457

[eimkeith]

very cool. that's the arm angle that we replicated on our "tribute", our 911ST wheel.

be interested to see if anyone has the dough for that right now...

[hesaputz]

PM sent, Mark.

[greghershner]

OK I'll be the first to admit my ignorance. Is it reasonable to expect anyone pay $2k for a Wheel that looks similar to all the other $150 steering wheels here? I hope I am just missing some tongue in cheek humor, but.....

[Mark Morrissey]

No problem Greg. There are folks who seek out the earliest Momo wheels for their cars, all be it, a small group. These are mostly flat Momos, some of which are quite rare. Yes, they are similar in appearance but you can tell the difference and that difference is a big deal to some. The majority of people are satisfied to put a new prototipo in their vintage car. I prefer the old wheels. No argument that this is over the top expensive but I doubt you will ever find another in a reasonable amount of time. Edmond Harris has a NOS one and I'm fairly sure it costs a lot more than this one. Late last year, I priced a fairly typical 350mm flat prototipo at Freisinger Motorsport in Germany and was quoted nearly 2000 euros. This wheel is a lot more special.
Best regards,
Mark

[Hawk2109]

I have to admit that I fail to see the value of a steering wheel that cost $2000.00 it seems pretty expensive, regardless of the rare nature of the wheel, but you never know what people are thinking these days, and lets face it some people want what they want and they do not care what it costs to get it.

Nice wheel though.

Erik

[Scooter]

Gorgeous wheel.

[hesaputz]

That's right, Greg; why bother with Megan Fox, when Rosie O'Donnell has the same bits and pieces?

[Tom C.]

Thanks Mark for posting this incredible wheel!!!

I'll admit I'm in that small group of people that really think these old Momo's are very cool and in many ways make driving a vintage car like our 911's a great experience.

I've never seen a 400mm Monza, let alone one with the details of this wheel.

Mark are you interested in doing a group buy on this wheel and sharing posession of it over the year(s)?

[Mark Morrissey]

Hey Tom! How are you? I guess I wasn't clear in the first post but the ebay auction is mine as is the wheel. The cat is out of the bag. I'm the maniac who spent a ton of money for this awesome old wheel. I had never seen a 400mm Monza either and given that large diameter Momos are highly sought after and rare, I pounced on it. It came from Germany from a guy I have bought from before and is very reliable. But, after mounting the wheel, I wasn't happy with it's size. It just seems a bit too big for me. It will make a fabulous wheel for someone, but it needs to be on a really special car. Maybe on a 911 or perhaps on a 356. It could even be great on an old Ferrari or Alfa.
Best,
Mark

[boba]

Mark, nice wheel.

In fact that wheel pre-dates MOMO. It would have been made by Monza which was a wheel manufacturer and made the rare 'R' wheel for the 1967 911R's.

MOMO was formed by the merger of Monza and Gino Moretti around 1966. This should help you date your wheel. Moretti has been given credit for the development of the smaller diameter, thicker grip which became very popular with many drivers.

Enjoy a great wheel with some history.

Bob

[johnbri]

I'll add my 2-cents...or $2K +++
Greg,

It is not only the early MOMO's and Pre-MOMO's that attract huge dollars. I restored several 1966 & 1967 shelbys over the past 10 years or so. And correct steering wheels for those cars often fetch in the $2500-$5000 range!

Why? You may ask. Look at this this way...if you're spending big bucks on the car, and then enormous time, labor, and more money on a correct restoration, then why put something in your hands and in front of your face that will not reflect the true and original nature of your vehicle? This is the part that hits most people right in the face when they look inside your car. It's the part that most connects you to the vehicle & the driving experience. I know we're all nuts about getting the right part for this or the right part for that...but if you're going to be correct about your restoration, you might as well get it right on the big parts.
Just my thoughts...

John

[Tom C.]

Hey Mark . . . I was too busy drooling over your wheel to notice it was you, but I should have figured, who else would be selling a rare wheel like this in the USA. You have become the nationwide dealer on these vintage Momo's . . . and you know I've put my trust in your knowledge and appreciation for these wheels time and time again. As you said this wheel belongs in the right car. I just wish it was mine.

Send me an email and tell me what wheel your going to put in your car.

Here's a pic of another one of your wheels in my care . . .

[hesaputz]

Bob - thanks for the great history lesson. That is the best explanation I've heard of the 911R wheel's origins. I'd known about the rough timeline you laid out, but I'd never thought about Moretti continuing to manufacture the Monza wheels as he popularized his own designs. I still don't know why the R wheel is a 5 bolt pattern - maybe Porsche spec'd it that way, as 906's and 910's of the period seem also to have it. Momo later released a 6 bolt version of the wheel, known as an 'Italie' - quite rare.
John - you're a great gentleman and philosopher. It's difficult to appreciate how much difference subtle changes in wheel size, grip, dish, and materials make until you drive a variety of them. Just the difference in attitude you'll get from having the proper wheel is immeasureable - a lot like the right golf club.

[johnbri]

Tom C.

Gorgeous wheel and Great Patina! (love the 10K tach too)

John B.

[Mark Morrissey]

Holy cow, where to start?
Bob A.: Over the past several years I have admired your knowledge and have appreciated your advice on Porsches and especially vintage steering wheels. I had my suspicions about this wheel but all I was sure of was that that it was the earliest I've ever held in my hands. I also had a very early Abarth wheel that I sold to an Early 911S member. All it had on the back side was: 12707. That was probably made by Monza too. Another one I wish I had kept. I thank you for the education. It just makes it that much more amazing and my first thought was: That's just great. I can't possibly sell it now. But then I never want to sell ANY of the wheels I've collected. I thank you again.

John: I think I have spoken with you before I can't remember what about. Perhaps about your TR. I have to say: You have so PERFECTLY described EXACTLY how I feel about about these old wheels. Thanks very much for putting things in perspective. This Monza's probably worth more around $3000 huh.

Tom C.: I always enjoy our conversations. I absolutely DON'T want to become the nationwide dealer on vintage Momo's. As I said, I hate selling any wheel I've found. I only do it out of necessity as we all have to do from time to time to fund things for our cars. If I'm forced to, I like selling a wheel to you for two big reasons: 1. You really appreciate what they are and enjoy them as much as I do. 2. I have a good shot at buying it back some day. The black Monza looks great by the way. (wanna make a trade for it, I know of an interesting 400mm Monza ...)

David, my wife thinks I'm crazy. Most of my friends do too. Or at least slightly obsessed. Right now I have around 12 really nice old momos and I plan on having them all mounted at a future date at different times throughout the year. I know of quite a few folks who visit this board and early S who have more than I do. (Hello Andy) So maybe I'm not so nuts after all.

This has turned into a pretty interesting thread. For me anyway. Thanks guys.
best regards,
Mark Morrissey

[Mark Morrissey]

What the heck, here's another shot of it mounted.
M.

[Mark Morrissey]

Hey Tom. Here my other Monza. Has amazing patina and the rare 12707. This is in the car now.
M.

[mede8er]

I also share the passion for these wheels....are there any other 400mm Porsche wheels available today in mass production???

[onboost]

Mark,

I posted your linky on one of the Ferrari sites with the thought that there may be some interest in a wheel of that diameter.

Good luck with the sale.. hope the cars is coming along!!

Paul