A Nardi Steering Wheel Is an Italian Aftermarket Steering Wheel With a Wood or Leather Rim, Originating From Enrico Nardi’s 1951 Workshop
A Nardi steering wheel is known for its wood and leather rims. Nardi wheels use a 6×74 mm bolt pattern and require a boss kit for fitting.
What Is a Nardi Steering Wheel?
A Nardi steering wheel is an Italian aftermarket steering wheel recognized for wood and leather rims. Nardi-Personal S.p.A. makes sport wheels under the Personal trademark and classic wheels under the Nardi trademark. Product line examples include the Classic, Deep Corn, and Neo Grinta.
Who Was Enrico Nardi?
Enrico Nardi (1907 to 1966) was an Italian racing driver and engineer.
What Did Enrico Nardi Do Before Founding Officine Nardi?
Nardi started at Lancia in the late 1920s as an engineer and test driver. He became the first test driver at Scuderia Ferrari in 1937.
How Did Nardi Become Known for Steering Wheels?
Officine Nardi focused on speed-enhancing parts by the mid-1950s and became best known for its steering wheels. Speed parts include manifolds, crankshafts, and camshafts.
When Was Nardi Founded?
Enrico Nardi founded Officine Nardi in 1951. The table lists 7 milestones in Nardi history between 1937 and 2005.
For related reading, see Power Steering Reservoir: Function, 2 Types, and 7 Check Steps. The same maintenance context also connects with Power Steering Reservoir.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1937 | Enrico Nardi joins Scuderia Ferrari as test driver |
| 1951 | Officine Nardi is founded |
| 1952 | First Nardi wheel is fitted to a Pegaso |
| 1966 | Enrico Nardi dies |
| 1968 | Personal acquires the Nardi trademark |
| 1990 | Nardi Italia S.p.A. is founded |
| 2005 | Nardi and Personal reunite under new management as Nardi-Personal |
Which Cars Used Nardi Steering Wheels?
Ferrari used Nardi steering wheels as original equipment on the 250 GTO and the 250 GT SWB. The first car fitted with a Nardi wheel was a 1952 Pegaso. Nardi wheels were also fitted to cars from Lancia, Audi, Maserati, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar, Lotus, TVR, McLaren, Volkswagen, Abarth, and BMW. Hagerty reports that Personal supplied the Williams, McLaren, and Benetton Formula 1 teams for over two decades.
What Are the Types of Nardi Steering Wheels?
Nardi steering wheels come in 3 rim materials: wood, leather, and suede. According to Silodrome, wooden rims typically use walnut or African mahogany. Deep Corn wheels come in perforated leather or suede. Neo Grinta wheels come in leather or suede. The table compares 3 product lines by brand mark, rim material, and diameter.
| Product Line | Brand Mark | Rim Material | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic | Nardi | Wood or leather | 330 mm to 390 mm |
| Deep Corn | Nardi | Wood, perforated leather, or suede | 330 mm and 350 mm |
| Neo Grinta | Personal | Leather or suede | 330 mm and 350 mm |
What Frame Do Nardi Classic Wheels Use?
Nardi Classic wheels use an aluminum-alloy frame. Classic sizes range from 330 mm to 390 mm.
What Does Deep Corn Mean in a Nardi Steering Wheel?
Deep Corn is the Nardi line known for a deep-dish design. Retail listings show Deep Corn sizes of 330 mm and 350 mm.
What Are the Nardi Anni ’50 and ’60 Series?
The Anni ’50 and ’60 series are traditional classic Nardi wheels that remain in production.
How Much Does a Nardi Steering Wheel Cost?
Nengun Performance lists the Personal Neo Grinta at US$335.50 for 330 mm and US$344.10 for 350 mm. Prices vary by retailer and model.
How Do You Fit a Nardi Steering Wheel?
A Nardi steering wheel requires a boss kit, also called a steering hub, that connects the wheel to the steering column. Nardi and Personal wheels use a 6×74 mm bolt pattern, while MOMO, OMP, Sparco, and Sabelt wheels use a 6×70 mm pattern. Both patterns use 6 bolts, but the bolt circle differs by 4 mm. The table compares the 2 patterns by bolt circle and brand.
| Pattern | Bolt Circle (PCD) | Brands |
|---|---|---|
| Nardi pattern | 6×74 mm | Nardi, Personal |
| MOMO pattern | 6×70 mm | MOMO, OMP, Sparco, Sabelt |
Dual-drilled boss kits from B-G Racing fit both patterns, including Nardi wheels. The installation requires 3 parts:
For a reliable reference point, see NHTSA vehicle safety information.
- A boss kit made for the vehicle’s steering column
- An adaptor plate, if the boss kit uses the 6×70 mm pattern
- Fitting screws
How Do You Match a Boss Kit to a Nardi Wheel?
Match a boss kit to a Nardi wheel by identifying the wheel’s bolt pattern and selecting a column-specific kit with the same pattern. The 4 steps are:
- Identify the wheel’s bolt pattern, which is 6×74 mm for Nardi and Personal wheels.
- Select a boss kit made for the vehicle’s steering column.
- Match the boss kit pattern to the wheel, or add an adaptor plate to a 6×70 mm kit.
- Confirm the vehicle’s airbag status before fitting.
Does a Nardi Wheel Fit a MOMO Boss Kit?
A Nardi wheel fits a MOMO boss kit only with an adaptor plate that converts the 6×74 mm pattern to 6×70 mm.
Can a Nardi Steering Wheel Be Fitted to a Car With an Airbag?
Fitting a Nardi wheel to a car with airbags disables the driver airbag and other airbags. OMP states that boss kits for airbag vehicles are intended for off-road or racing purposes. B-G Racing states that replacement wheels on airbag vehicles are intended for racing or display purposes.
What Does NHTSA Say About Removing Airbags?
NHTSA Interpretation 9068 (1993) states that the federal render inoperative provision prohibits businesses, not vehicle owners, from removing operating airbags. The letter adds 3 points:
- State law may address airbag removal.
- NHTSA discourages owners from removing or modifying safety systems.
- Improper removal can cause the airbag to deploy and injure the person.
JQ Werks, a Nardi wheel adaptor maker, states that a solid racing wheel could cause bodily injury in a crash.
What Do People Also Ask About Nardi Steering Wheels?
Who makes Nardi steering wheels?
Nardi-Personal S.p.A., formed from the Nardi and Personal trademarks, makes Nardi steering wheels.
Are Nardi steering wheels handmade?
Nardi product descriptions state that artisans assemble and finish each wheel.
Does Nardi restore old steering wheels?
Yes, Veloce Today reports that Nardi restores traditional Nardi wheels sent to the company.
Are Nardi steering wheels road legal?
Legality depends on local rules, and the ND Classico 360 mm lists German KBA/ABE approval number 70083.
What Defines a Nardi Steering Wheel?
A Nardi steering wheel is an Italian aftermarket wheel with a wood or leather rim, originating from Enrico Nardi’s 1951 workshop and made today by Nardi-Personal. Nardi wheels come in 3 rim materials: wood, leather, and suede. The 6×74 mm bolt pattern requires a boss kit or adaptor plate. Fitting a Nardi wheel to a car with airbags disables the airbags.