Leather steering wheel
From the Resto-Mod department
Victoria finally stops providing its driver with bakelite-sweat blackened hands in humid morningsThe original steering wheel of early Land Rovers was made of black Bakelite.
Bakelite is a type of early plastic, formally known as polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride (try again...), developed in the early 20th century. Simply put, it is a resin, meaning once it’s molded and cured, it cannot be melted or reshaped. Bakelite was prized for its electrical non-conductivity, heat resistance, and durability, making it ideal for use in radios, telephones, automotive parts, and household items.
With exposure to moisture and wear, especially once the protective varnish layer has worn out, it can degrade slightly, leaving a residue that many Land Rover drivers had the surprise to find on their hands, or even their shirts where the belly touches the steering wheel. Needless to say, this residue is a pain to get rid of, and even impossible on fabrics.
An elegant way to go around the problem, apart from replacing the steering wheels, or repairing them (the UK some craftsmen specialise in restoring them as new), is covering them with a leather strip. You can choose leather colors but even the stitches' colors !
