By Jeff Glucker
I know nothing about this company. But scanning around the Internet leads me to find many photos of Italvolanti steering wheels stuffed in Volkswagen GTIs, 90’s-era BMW products, Benzes, and yes, Mitsubishis. So I wanted to find out more but that’s when I found one in excellent shape for sale. There’s nothing wrong with the steering wheel in my Montero, but if I have a chance at a cool period-correct upgrade why not go for it right?
I’ve been searching to find more about this company but I’ve had little luck. There’s a thread on VW Vortex with people talking a bit about the company but mostly just showing their own examples. Any other search results lead me to listings for examples for sale. The term “Italvolanti” doesn’t even return a result in a Wikipedia search.
What have I purchased? Does anyone out there know more about this brand? The steering wheel feels well made and the leatherwork looks nice. It’s probably too dark a tone for my otherwise lighter tan interior but I’m going to run it for a bit regardless. Well, I will once the adapter I tracked down arrives from an eBay seller in the UK. I’ll post an update once it’s installed.
Also to be installed? A new exhaust system ahead of my first trip to a local smog station in quite a few years.
Kamil Kaluski
The reason I found this wheel is because I was searching to see what sort of Pajero Evo parts are out there. I stumbled upon this wheel for sale. Mine was considerably less than the asking price of the one in that link.
Too dark for the rest of the interior, you say? Stay tuned for the Uzbek camelhide Montero upgrade.
I like it, and I like the color. It’ll give the interior a bit of welcome contrast.
How much will the whole thing cost? I spent way too much on a recovered wheel for my e61, and am about to do the same on the e91, as I don’t regret it. You’re in constant contact with the steering wheel, or at least you should be, so imo, it’s not a place to be stingy.
Wheel, with shipping, was $400. Hub is like another 60-70… which is kind of a kick in the dick.
That wasn’t cheap, but you get real leather and an obscure bit of automotive history in return. I went the opposite direction with our little Hyundai, whose steering wheel shows signs of wear after five (5!) years, with this one: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32711845008.html
This will not help but I had an Italvolanti sticker that I got from the Miami Auto Show in the early 80s. Beautiful wheel and much better than most aftermarket wheels sold today.
Nice! But:
And so it begins:
1. “My [Mitsubishi Montero] is perfect just as it sits. I’m gonna just drive it and enjoy it and not spend a bunch of money
2. All I need is some good tires.
3. And maybe some rock in’ wheels
4. And a cool steering wheel
5. And some new tunes cus I can’t stream
6. And a cold air intake
….
100. “Yeah totally customized; you won’t find another one like it on the planet…
-ask the man who’s been there.
I suspect there are several right here.
NB: MDHarrell starts out at “there’s not another on like it on the planet and works backwards…