Soul Made: Nardi Steering Wheels

It’s important to feel connected to your car, and it’s often the case that the physical and emotional element of that connection are derived from the same place: the steering wheel. It’s the most tactile and visceral piece of the driving experience, the element that bridges the gap between human and machine, and one of the best examples of the marriage of automotive form and function.

In today’s film, we visit the workshop of Nardi-Personal, and get some insight into the historic brand from its current CEO, Lorenzo Cerfolini, who takes us through the timeline of the company from its foundation at the hands of Enrico Nardi.

A brilliant engineering mind, Nardi spent time at Lancia and Ferrari with the namesakes of the companies, Vincenzo Lancia and Enzo Ferrari, before making his own foray into the world of automobiles. His resulting creations were utterly unique designs, and they raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Targa Florio, but the most enduring part of Nardi’s legacy has proven to be the beautiful aluminum and mahogany steering wheels his company began producing in the mid 1950s. Ferrari used Nardi wheels in some of its most iconic cars—the 250 GTO, for starters—and Nardi has continued to adhere to the same exacting standards in its hand-finished products, of which no two are exactly alike.

Always Drive Tastefully®

[sameagle]

It lightens my heart everytime I see the Nardi steering wheel in my Alfa, even after 40 years. It's exactly what it should be and no more.

[nick]

the history, the craftsmanship, all to end up in my roached out thousand dollar e30.

[seankeef]

Ended a bit too soon. He was just about to press in the Nardi signature.

[SuodesTzeos]

what happened to the end of this video?

[Ashfielder]

Still have the original 30 year old Nardi wheel in my Eunos, and it’s still beautiful. Top class craftsmanship.

[giuseppepiodimezza]

Companies like Nardi are what make me feel proud of being Italian!

[chaosplan]

In the 1950s, my father had what he called the world‘s smallest steering wheel shop. He made very similar wheels in Burbank or North Hollywood California. I think he ran small ads in the back of sports car magazines. He also made matching gearshift knobs. The wheels were mahogany with similar slit style aluminum spokes. On his wheels, the aluminum went through to the outside of the rim as well, and he used brass rivets instead of aluminum. He made both flat and dished styles. He also made solid aluminum hubs and had a large collection of hubs to fit different cars. Sometime in the late 1970s or early 80s Don Ricardo, who is the president of the Mercedes going club of America got my father to make steering wheels again for some of his friends. Together they developed a force spoke version which is my favorite. Today my father is in his early 90s and a few steering wheels hang on his living room wall. A few years ago, I took my dad to the Peterson auto museum for Father’s Day. We were looking at a car on display and he turned to me that’s one of my wheels. The car was a 1953 Bosley GT Mark I, a one off prototype. That was the first time that I’ve ever seen one of those steering wheel wheels mounted on the car and it looks beautiful. If you wanna see what it looks like, you can go to the Peterson website and look up the Bosley.

I sometimes wonder if there’s an interest in these wheels, someday I will inherit some of his tools, and wonder if I should continue his legacy and make custom one of the kind mahogany rimmed aluminum steering wheel wheels.

[redbarchetta]

The difference between artistry and industry are blurred. Wonderful.

[carlodanese]

People, never forget the true Italian craftsmanship that made the automotive industry, it's an ART that MUST be preserved.
Spesso noi italiani pensiamo di essere i migliori e forse lo siamo, ciò che abbiamo scordato è l'essere umili.

[herbertgarrison]

wow, who edited that ending? it was terrible.

[motorcityoctane]

This video feels like traveling back in time to a different era

[martinrodgers]

Have such a beautiful Nardi wheel in my 1974 BMW 2000 which I am in the process of restoring and slightly modifying. A labour of love for as it is for these craftsmen.

[HDReeZeD]

I have a Nardi steering wheel in my E34, it changed the way I feel the car. As it is lighter and smaller than the stock steering wheel, I have more feedback from the road. A real pleasure since the day I installed it

[santiagoardilesgonzalez]

We had a E-Type last week at the workshop, and just realize it has a Nardi steering wheel.
It is so different to the rest of steering wheels, it feels awesome!!

[toasty]

what a tease at the end. Almost like watching a cliffhanger on your favorite tv show.

[faizrahman]

pleasant to know that they are all still made like that and production hasnt be sent to china

[liamjump]

One of my favourite moments working for a Ferrari Dealership was going into the warehouse and opening the Nardi order. Something so special about them!

[brettpatching]

A wonderful journey back in time. Great to see that these are still handmade.

[BruceBoschek]

My Alfa had a Nardi wheel and I used to sit in the car and just caress the wheel. I'm not usually that tactile oriented with non-living objects.

[michaelcampbell]

My old Aston Martin V8 Volante came with a Nardi steering wheel and I missed the experience after selling it so I ordered a new Nardi for my Alfasud. Although not period it is perfection. Really exceptional quality and feel for driving. Bravissimo!