It is a temporary fix, but yes, they can be repaired. I have repaired many of them over the years. Basically, you fill the joints with epoxy and build it up until it's bigger than the wheel, then, GFS (grind, file, sand) it down to match the size of the existing wheel. Then, prime, paint, clear coat as usual. Trouble is, the epoxy resin that the wheel was originally cast from continues to shrink and it will crack again, although it might take a while.

The best fix, of course, is to have your wheel re-cast. This is much more expensive, to the tune of $7-$800 typically for solid colors. But, you have a brand new wheel. There is not currently a Hudson vendor that I am aware of (there used to be until a short time ago), but there are other companies that do this and can re-cast your wheel used as a core. Do a search, I'm sure you will come up with several options.

Keith,

What color is your current wheel?

Don, it's a brown. I can get a picture of it, if it would help. I don't know how picky I would be with the color as long as it's a good one...k

I don't have any brown ones, but you are welcome to come over and look at my wall of steering wheels. I have a few that are not cracked.

I wasn't aware that they had a brown steering wheel. Ivory, Red, Blue, and Green were the colors I was aware of. Actually, I think they had an Alabaster also. That is semi transparent; my 1950 wheel was originally this alabaster color. I've seen those turn dark brown from extreme sun. Your wheel could also have been red. If Don has those wheels, you might be in luck.

Tim-I'll take a better look at it the next time I'm in the shop. Seems like it may have been a bit "translucent".

Don I'll contact you privately. I would love to see your stuff!...k

Keith,

At the time I had my 50 Pacemaker Deluxe redone, I couldn't get teh Alabaster, translucent, so went with an opaque as close as possible. Fortunately, I found a good 1950 Wheel for my Commodore Six Coupe that I'll use eventually (Blue).

As far as I know 50 Commodore's only had red & blue colors that were a semi-translucent plastic. It was the first year for colors other than black or off white(48-49) or gray. If your wheel is a light brown it started out a red. Take off your horn button and you will see the original color in the center. Also the shift knob should match the red color. The red on 50 C's was lighter than the dark ruby red on 51's.

My 50 C8 has the original wheel & shift knob and the wheel has faded to the natural color (light brown) of the non-uv stable plastic that was used that year. My shift knob matches the red of the center of the steerring wheel. I am leaving it alone because it matches the brown interior nicely and only has one very slight crack.

Tom.

Thanks for the feedback on original colors. Upon closer inspection mine was red--turned to brown. Translucent. It's amazing how the red color disappeared from the area exposed to sunlight...k

Keith, the guy I bought my '50 convertible from had a near perfect dark red steering wheel for sale about a year ago- he wanted around $300 for it-if your still looking I can PM his telephone number to you. Terry

Terry, thanks for keeping me in mind. I'm going to try to check out Don Cranes wheels next week. He may have what I need locally. I will keep your lead in mind if it doesn't work out.
Thanks again, Keith