During my time as active hunter and collector of vintage steering wheels, collecting information about old Momo steering wheels has always been tedious. A brochure here, a small article in some forum, some knowledge I gained talking to people at swap meets. But there was never a source where I could find the information I was looking for. That’s what I want to achieve with patipatina.com and I want to encourage each and everyone to contribute.
Das Treffen – more than just a gathering. When you think of the Porsche scene, Germany, Stuttgart or Zuffenhausen probably comes to mind first. Maybe North America, California, Rennsport, Luftgekühlt, Deus Ex Machina in L.A. Maybe the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. But Thailand? Ever heard of Das Treffen?
In addition to Momo’s actual product range, Momo also made special steering wheels for car manufacturers. The most well known ones are certainly the steering wheels for Ferrari, Lotus, Porsche, Alfa, Alpine – and of course Abarth. But the also made wheels for smaller companies like the Italian coach builder Scioneri.
The day before yesterday an instagram follower asked questions about the different Victor wheel versions. That reminded me that I wanted to do an article about that very special steering wheel. I browsed through my old magazines, catalogs and old ads, compared publishing dates and datas and finally compared all the information.
A very special Momo steering wheel. Not because of the “special” in the name of well-known Formula 1 sponsor and successful tobacco producer John Player Special. Special, because it is an exception in the production line. To this day, it’s the only Momo with a logo on it which is not a car manufacturer logo – the Momo JPS wheel made for Lotus.
The Abarth steering wheel has been a very popular steering wheel for a lot of classic car fans for many years. No matter if you drive a Porsche, Fiat, Lancia, Alfa Romeo or BMW. Maybe it’s still a bit under the radar, rather for connoisseurs, while everyone who considers himself and his car sporty, buys a Momo Prototipo.
After a few month of continuous working I took two weeks off in order to go to Italy and drive some of the amazing alpine mountain roads with a car I still have in Europe. Being a Porsche aficionado for such a long time, I’ve never made it to the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. It was time to finally go and what can I say: it was absolutely worth it!
Magnus Walker once again visited Hamburg, his absolute favorite city in Germany. Asked about the details, he answered jokingly that he likes Hamburgers and that’s why he likes to be in Hamburg (eating Hamburgers). And indeed – he likes steering wheels as much as we all do. And I had the chance to get a few steering wheels signed for PATIPATINA.
A few people asked my what the sometimes cryptic engravings on the Momo steering wheels mean (if at all) or what years the steering wheels are coming from, where no production years have been engraved. Well, most interestingly, there is no official information about this. No one alive really knows for certain but I think we’re pretty close with this.
A few people asked my what the sometimes cryptic engravings on the Momo steering wheels mean (if at all) or what years the steering wheels are coming from, where no production years have been engraved. Well, most interestingly, there is no official information about this. No one alive really knows for certain but I think we’re pretty close with this.
A lot of people have seen my Kremer Porsche steering wheels and a few had the chance to buy one. Those wheels became famous when Kremer Racing installed them in their K2 and K3. Most people drilled holes into their steering wheels and installed them to the hub they had in the car already. Well, you could still do it. But you shouldn’t. Here is the adapter!
The Momo Mario Andretti signature steering wheel is based on one of the most known Momo steering wheels: the Momo Cavallino, also known as the C35. As the Cavallino, the wheel was available in black and silver and in various sizes. Unlike the Cavallino, the Momo Mario Andretti was only available in black and in 350mm diameter.
This mornings cars and coffee was full of discussions about the need and no need of gadgets for your car. It was quite interesting, a few of my buddies were against all kinds of electronics in their vintage cars but most people appreciated the easiness of these little helpers. Easy to install, easy to use – and sometimes life saving.
Anyone who has ever changed spark plugs on a Porsche 911 – I’m talking about the models of 1964-1989 – knows how difficult it is to get to some of the spark plugs. Not only the air hoses are in the way, most spark plug wrenches just doesn’t fit properly. One is too long, the other too short, extensions doesn’t fit either. I show you a tool that will make your life much easier.
The Momo Gritti is again one of the steering wheels of Momo with many stories, secrets and mysteries. As mentioned in previous articles, Momo developed a variety of steering wheels, which were manufactured during it’s lifespan exclusively for Momo or almost exclusively or with minor modifications exclusively for other car manufacturers.
The Momo Jacky Ickx Signature steering wheel is also based on a very successful model from Momo. Momo used it for special variants for car manufacturers. It was the base for the Ferrari 246 Dino steering wheel and for Volvo the base for their Volvo R racing series wheels with large engraved numbers such as 552032 on the center spoke.
When it comes to tools, I choose quality over price, also, because I don’t like to buy twice. So my cars are german, my dog used to be german, why wouldn’t I pick something else than “Quality – Made in Germany” – I need metric anyway. The tools I use the most when it comes to wrenches, are ratchet wrenches.
The Momo Niki Lauda signature steering wheel represents the characteristics of Niki Lauda probably like no other from the series. Straight and straightforward, direct, clearly focused and a good grip, which is a little thicker – similar to the Momo Jackie Stewart steering wheel.
The Momo Clay Regazzoni steering wheel is perhaps the most beautiful of the entire Signature series. The steering wheel is based on the Prototipo S, on the other hand, it shows visual aspects of the successful model Prototipo. One could say best of two worlds.
Yesterday I got a small package from an even smaller town called London, England. By a talented guy, he calls himself builtbybasil and produces shift knobs from old skateboards among other things. This is the shift knob he made for me, goes into my shitty old 911 soon.
Momo dedicated a beautiful steering wheel to Ronnie Peterson, which was only available in black – like his friends steering wheel, the Momo Mario Andretti. The diameter is 350mm, it is slightly dished and drawn by the very elegant slots look.
For me, a steering wheel is kind of a love relationship and it is also the only real connection of the driver and the car. The only connection that gives direct feedback.
My passion with Momo steering wheels started when I was looking for the perfect match for my early Porsche. The car came with a huge, super thin steering wheel and I wanted the opposite. That’s what I found.
