[PICS] Chevrolet Takes a Look at Eight Generations of Corvette Steering Wheels

Jul 12, 2019

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[PICS] Chevrolet Takes a Look at Eight Generations of Corvette Steering Wheels

We are now just days away from the official C8 reveal and the Corvette team continues to tease enthusiasts. Today Chevrolet released this photo of the C8 Corvette’s steering wheel and they provided this image gallery featuring eight generations of Corvette steering wheels.

If you saw the Carscoops interior photos yesterday, you will see right away that production wheel shown here is different than what was in the leaked photos. And that’s why you always have to take leaks on prototypes with a grain of salt as they are subject to change as the team gets closer to production.

This steering wheel does have the very cool silver-colored “Z” button (ZORA!?) to the left of the horn. Instead of the bright silver 4-way toggle switches on each side, they now appear as black two-way switches that move vertically while another button is utilized for the side-to-side actions. And instead of three buttons arranged vertically on the right of the horn, there are now just two buttons.

Although just the C8’s steering wheel is shown on a stand, each of the previous generation’s steering wheel and dash are shown and it’s fun to see the progression through the years.

You make be asking, why steering wheels? Well, (currently) it’s the one part of the car that requires hands-on operation at all times and the iconic “view behind the wheel” is the view that drivers may remember the most of their former cars.

Below are the eight generations of Corvette Steering wheels, with the captions provided by Chevrolet.

C1 Corvette (1953-1962)

Starting in 1956, the Gen One wheel took on a purposeful look with bored-out, brushed-metal spokes. This example is shown with aftermarket padding and other instrument panel modifications.

C2 Corvette (1963-1967)

The Sting Ray years brought us a simple, but elegant design with a brushed stainless look featuring elongated cutouts instead of round holes. Richer looking teakwood wheels were an available option on 1965 and 1966 models.

C3 Corvette (1968-1982)

The Gen Three wheel was very similar to Gen Two on early models with stainless steel spokes and the same long cutouts in the middle. Later models offered padded wheels to match the interior colors.

C4 Corvette (1984-1996)

In keeping with its colorful pinball-like instrument cluster, Gen Four wheels had an ultra-modern look with only two spokes. The new C4 crossed flags logo sat front and center. Later models included air bags.

C5 Corvette (1997-2004)

The black Gen Five wheel was dominated by a large air bag with the word “Corvette” embossed into the air bag surface. It featured a four-spoke design.

C6 Corvette (2005-2013)

The leather-wrapped Gen Six wheel was a simple three-spoke design with integrated controls and a medallion containing the crossed flags logo at the center.

C7 Corvette (2014-2019)

Looking more exotic than ever, the Gen Seven wheel features a leather-wrapped, flat-bottom design with brushed bright work surrounding the steering wheel controls. A beautiful crossed flags logo adds the finishing touch.

C8 Corvette (2020- )

Just as the eighth generation defines the Corvette formula, so does its steering wheel with its leather-wrapped, squared-off shape to enhance visibility and comfort. Also notable is its contrasting stitching and beautifully integrated controls.

So what are your thoughts on the shape of the wheel? I know the flat-bottom was appreciated just because it makes getting in and out a bit easier, but I’d be interested if this was just for looks or if there was some other reason for the squared-off shape.

It’s interesting how in the C7 and C8 that Corvette designers have killed off many of the “round” design elements including the taillights, exhaust ports and now the steering wheel. However, we also believe that these changes give the cars their own identity.

Source:
Chevrolet.com

15 COMMENTS

Steve Garrett Jul 12, 2019 At 3:59 pm

Well done, my friend! On the C1, the first 3 years had the same steering wheel as the one shown?
Brian L Jul 12, 2019 At 4:30 pm

Too cool. Nuff said.

Having previously owned a 77, this will he a big jump, even from the ’13 BMW 335is Ill be trading in!
K. Scott Teeters Jul 12, 2019 At 5:10 pm

OOPS! The C3 steering wheel shown is the unique wheel used in the ’78 and ’79 Corvette.

Just saying.
Jeff Butler Jul 12, 2019 At 6:01 pm

You missed the steering wheels on the late C4’s. I have a 94 Corvette, and one of the things I never liked about it was the ugly steering wheel. It looks like it belongs in Grandma’s Buick. The early generation of C4’s steering wheels, were not that exciting, but still better then the one I have. It would be more difficult to
change my steering wheel, due to the air bag, and odd shaped dash housing around the steering wheel shaft.
Keith Cornett Jul 12, 2019 At 6:23 pm

Chevrolet supplied the various images for the steering wheel post. I found the C8 wheel to be a bit on the blurry side compared to the other wheels offered. – Keith
Noah Harris Jul 12, 2019 At 7:12 pm

Looks are on point. I appreciate the square portions on the top and bottom. I also think the silver paddle shifters are a nice touch, and it compliments the overall design.
LARRY D BROOKS Jul 12, 2019 At 7:47 pm

That C1 wheel is a reproduction in a smaller diameter. They surely could have found an original C1 wheel. And on the C5 wheel, where do they see the word Corvette embossed on the it? Also, couldn’t they have found a better representation of the C3 wheel and gauges than the later version? I always found the early C3 wheel and dash very fitting for those cars whereas the later ones remind me of 85-MPH speedometers, no- horsepower engines and unleaded fuel.
Don Rocks Jul 12, 2019 At 8:06 pm

1953-1955 had a passenger style wheel with a thin horn ring. Journalists reporting on a subject should take ten minutes to acquaint them selves with the facts. Believed ” experts ” make many simple mistakes making their credibility on the bottom rung. Generally a sad gathering of factual information.
LARRY D BROOKS Jul 12, 2019 At 8:33 pm

@Don Rocks
You wrote about the style of wheel for the 1953-55. And while I agree with you on that, I still feel the ’56-’62 wheel is a better representative for the C1 generation. I believe the majority of people identify with that wheel instead of the ’53-’55 version. I once owned a 1955 Corvette and almost nobody knew what that car was! But back to my point, I just felt for each gen, they should have posted the wheel most identifiable with those cars.

And I do love the 1956-62 wheel but my point with the one they showed was that it wasn’t even a real ’56-62 wheel!
Keith Cornett Jul 12, 2019 At 9:52 pm

The photos and captions underneath were provided by Chevrolet.
Paul C Jul 13, 2019 At 12:13 am

Looks cool!
Tom Jul 13, 2019 At 12:41 am

The C6 wheel for 2005 was completely different than the C6 wheel shown. The wheel shown was for 2006 – 2013 C6 generation.
JON WHEELIS Jul 13, 2019 At 3:48 am

The new C8 steering wheel is designed much better & much different than the old C7 wheel. GM engineering took to heart what is taught by Spring Mountain Motorsport instructors with regard to proper hand positioning when driving a Corvette. The new wheel has the spokes sloping downward so as to allow the driver to naturally place their hands in the proper position on the wheel when driving. My hat is off to GM engineering for listening to the expert instructors of Spring Mountain Motorsports.
Dennis Tracy Jul 13, 2019 At 9:30 am

Yes, the pictures provided were not an accurate representation of what was actually offered and did not include the various changes within each series. A nice idea for an article, but not executed with enough detail or accuracy, but better than no article.
Thomas Ferrera Jul 16, 2019 At 4:10 pm

The marketing company I work for will have 2 of the new corvettes to show around the states l know one will be going to dealership to show the car off