EMPI Banjo Style Steering Wheel | Classic VW & Porsche 356 | 15.5" Silver/Grey 3-Spoke (79-4060-0)

EMPI Banjo Style Vintage Steering Wheel | 15.5" Silver / Grey, Classic VW & Porsche 356 (79-4060-0)

A faithful tribute to the iconic 1950s "banjo" steering wheel style — a three-spoke wheel with multiple thin metal "string" spokes radiating from the center, instantly recognizable as the original Porsche 356 and early Volkswagen interior design. This 15.5" wheel finished in silver / grey brings the period-correct look to restored, resto-mod, and Cal-look air-cooled builds.

The original banjo wheels of the late 1940s and 1950s used radiating thin spokes between the rim and the hub that resembled a banjo's strings — a structural design that kept the wheel light while creating an instantly distinctive look. This EMPI wheel reproduces that look in a comfortable 15.5" diameter that suits both stock-look restorations and Cal-look custom Beetles.

Vehicle Fitment

This wheel uses a universal-style mounting pattern and requires a vehicle-specific hub adapter (sold separately) to fit your steering shaft. Hub patterns vary by year and model — confirm your application before ordering.

• Classic VW: Beetle, Karmann Ghia, Type 3, Bus, Thing — with the appropriate steering wheel hub adapter
• Vintage Porsche: 356 and early 911/912 — with the correct hub adapter
• Custom: Other resto-mod, hot rod, and custom builds using a 15.5" wheel

Technical Specifications

• Diameter: 15.5"
• Style: Banjo (multi-spoke radial design)
• Color / Finish: Silver / grey
• Spokes: Three primary spokes with banjo-style string detail
• Mounting: Universal-style pattern (vehicle-specific hub adapter required, sold separately)
• Brand: EMPI
• Part Number: 79-4060-0

Frequently Asked Questions

• Will this bolt directly to my Beetle steering column? No — you'll need a hub adapter that matches both this wheel's bolt pattern and your specific VW year/model steering shaft. Adapters are inexpensive and widely available.
• Is the rim metal or wrapped? The rim is finished in silver / grey. This is a painted/finished metal wheel — not a wood wheel and not leather-wrapped. The finish gives a period-correct factory-style look.
• What's the difference between this and the black version? Identical wheel and construction; the black version (79-4059-0) is finished in gloss black rather than silver. Choose based on interior color preference.
• Will it fit my Ghia or Type 3? Yes, with the appropriate hub adapter for your specific application.
• Is the horn button included? Check listing photos and contact us to confirm — horn button is sometimes a separate purchase depending on application. Most banjo wheel adapters include or are compatible with a center horn button.
• Is 15.5" too small for daily driving? 15.5" is on the smaller side of stock-replacement wheel sizes (factory VW wheels were closer to 16–17"). The smaller diameter requires slightly more effort to turn at parking-lot speeds on a non-power-steering VW, but most owners adapt within a few drives and prefer the look and feel.

Explore Related Categories

Complete your interior: browse Steering for wheels, bosses, and hub adapters, Interior for cabin trim, and Porsche 356 for vintage 356 restoration parts.