Stratos Original / Replica Steering Wheel

[Spartan]

Surely an italian handmade reproduction fitted with Momo hub but a pretty good look...

It's not original Stratos (Stradale) but I believe it is original Ferrero, albeit perhaps from a later production run and intended for the 'aftermarket'? I have seen several pictures of these, one on a Fulvia 3 and another retrofitted (presumably) to a genuine Stratos (I wish I could find that picture now).

Apart from the 70mm PCD and the style-ised "FERRERO" logo stamping, the carcass appears to be dimensionally identical and the covering is the same bizarre 'patchwork' of moulded/pressed pieces of leather, glued in place rather than stitched. Have a look at these pictures of the back, early first (75mm PCD) then 'later' (sorry for the poor quality but best I could find):





It seems pretty unlikely to me that a replica would go to these lengths to copy the unseen side. And a replica - surely - would attempt to copy the Ferrero signature, rather than stamping the Ferrero logo?

It is interesting to conjecture that:

• these were the idea of a Ferrero marketing-man who had the idea of cashing in on Stratos' success (not sure if there should be 2 apostrophes there)
• Lancia made an original order to Ferrero for more than 500 (and something) items and these are the 'recycled' leftovers!

Whatever, I agree that it's an excellent choice for a replica Stratos and that horn button is the cherry on the cake.