MOTO-LITA  Steering Wheels for the AC Cobra

Moto-Lita: The British Artisan of Classic Steering Wheels

Moto-Lita is a British artisan manufacturer of steering wheels for classic and sports cars, recognized for over 60 years for the quality, style, and hand-crafted construction of its iconic steering wheels.

Origins and Craftsmanship

The story begins in the late 1950s, when Simon Green, then a teenager, founded Moto-Lita after an initial experience at Cooper Car Company. He quickly began developing steering wheels for racing cars, blending automotive passion with traditional craftsmanship.

Since then, each steering wheel has been hand-crafted in England, using traditional techniques passed down from generation to generation. In addition to classic wood rims, Moto-Lita steering wheels are now available in leather, Alcantara, or anodized finishes, with flat or dished profiles to suit individual preferences.

A Place in Automotive History

Moto-Lita quickly established itself as a reference in the world of sports and collector cars:

• In the 1960s, the brand became an original equipment supplier for Aston Martin (DB4, DB5, DB6), symbols of British luxury and performance.

• The association with the AC Cobra is particularly iconic: Moto-Lita steering wheels were fitted as original equipment on this legendary roadster and were chosen by Carroll Shelby himself for the Shelby Mustangs of the 1960s.

• Moto-Lita steering wheels were also adopted by legendary drivers and race cars, further strengthening their aura in the world of motorsport.

This long history gives Moto-Lita a reputation for authenticity, classic aesthetics, and driving precision, making its products a preferred choice for restorations and vintage vehicles.

Style, Customization, and Passion

Today, Moto-Lita offers a wide range of classic steering wheels suited to many vintage cars and replicas, including models perfectly adapted to the AC Cobra and other retro sports cars:

• AC Cobra OEM 6-Bolt Moto-Lita Steering Wheel – a faithful reproduction of the original Cobra wheel, 15″ diameter.

• 15″ Moto-Lita Steering Wheel – a high-end version for vintage-focused projects.

• Other classic wood or leather steering wheels suitable for Jaguar, Austin-Healey, Morgan, and more.

Each steering wheel is both a hand-crafted object and a functional component, designed to deliver that unique sense of mechanical and aesthetic connection that defines classic cars.

How to Choose the Right Moto-Lita Steering Wheel Size and Finish for Your Cobra

(or a replica such as an ERA) — taking into account driving comfort, aesthetics, and ergonomics:

1) Choosing the Steering Wheel Diameter

The size of the steering wheel directly affects driving comfort and steering effort:

• 13″ – 14″ (≈ 33–36 cm):
  Ideal if you want a sporty, precise feel, with less leverage → quicker but more direct steering. Perfect if your Cobra has a very responsive steering setup or light assistance.

• 14″ – 15″ (≈ 36–38 cm):
  The best overall compromise, commonly used on classic sports cars. Easy to handle without excessive effort and offers excellent road feel.

• 15″ – 16″ (≈ 38–41 cm):
  More traditional and comfortable for grand touring driving, especially without power assistance. More leverage → less effort required to turn the wheels.

On an AC Cobra or replica, many enthusiasts choose 15″, as it’s close to the original specification and very well suited to the car’s behavior.

2) Material & Finishes

The choice of material affects both the interior look and the tactile feel of the steering wheel:

Riveted Wood (Classic)

• Very authentic vintage look and aesthetics.

• Firm surface, true retro feel.

• A beautiful piece of craftsmanship, ideal if you want a classic British style.

Leather (or Stitched Leather)

• More comfortable feel, slightly more grip than wood.

• Available in different colors → easier to match the interior.

• A good choice if you do a lot of road driving or prefer a more modern feel while staying retro.

Suede / Alcantara

• High-end option → excellent grip.

• More sporty appearance.

• Ideal if you want a contemporary touch without losing the classic spirit.

3) Flat vs Dished Steering Wheel

• Flat: the wheel face is flat → classic sports car design.

• Dished: the center is slightly set back from the rim (by a few centimeters), allowing better knee clearance and sometimes improved ergonomics when seated low.
  👉 On a Cobra, a slightly dished wheel is often more comfortable, as the driving position is low and the knees sit relatively close to the steering wheel.

4) Rim Thickness / Grip Size

• Classic wood steering wheels traditionally have a thinner rim (~76 mm), giving a fine, retro feel.

• Leather steering wheels have a slightly thicker rim (~100 mm) → more comfort and better grip.
  👉 If you want more comfort for long drives, a slightly thicker leather rim is worth considering.

5) Practical Advice Before Ordering

✔️ Check the hub / adapter you plan to use: even if the wheel is Moto-Lita, it must match your steering column and Moto-Lita hub or a Cobra-specific adapter.

✔️ Measure your interior clearance: a wheel that’s too large could interfere with stalks or levers around the steering column.

The Moto-Lita 15″ Laminated Wood Rim Steering Wheel, Moto-Lita MK3 Flat Wood Steering Wheel, and similar Moto-Lita models are made using laminated noble hardwood materials, typically including:

🌳 Types of Wood Used

• Sapele (African mahogany) — a prized exotic hardwood known for its rich color, durability, and high-end finish.

• Gaboon (Okoumé) — a lightweight African wood, often used in multiple laminated layers to provide good rigidity and an attractive appearance.

• American Walnut — sometimes offered depending on the range, for a more traditional look (darker tone, elegant grain).

💡 The steering wheels are generally made from multi-layer laminated wood, which improves both mechanical strength and visual quality compared to a single solid wood construction.