Need some help identifying aftermarket parts on a 1966 Ford Mustang

[Hotrod 97]

My Pappy has a '66 Mustang. It needs a little help, but hey, it's still a Mustang. Well, I was looking at it the other day, and found a couple of things that stumped me.

First off, does anyone know what kind of steering wheel this is? I know it's not factory, but that's about it.

 

Secondly, what are those "bump-outs" on the rear leaf springs? I did some research, but couldn't find anything on them.

 

Thanks in advance.

[stitchdup]

The steering wheel looks like a grant wheel but since they are british I assume its another usa brand. The bumps on the springs look home made so maybe some sort of racing part or a traction bars to try to prevent the axle binding up the springs and I'd cut those long bolts down cos they are way too close to the brake lines for any spiritted driving

Edited February 2, 2022 by stitchdup

[espo]

Can't offer any help on the aftermarket steering wheel, but the rear springs are a poor man's traction masters. In days of old the factory leaf springs would often wrap up under hard acceleration. This would happen for a moment and the rear tires would hop up and down as the springs would wrap up and then straighten back out and if not stopped could cause a lot of damage to the suspension and the rear end not to mention U-joints. These helper leaf springs were originally designed to help to increase the carrying load of the rear suspension. One of the side effects was that it would stiffen the spring and help minimalize the rear spring wrap up. A better system was to have a bar from the frame or even the front spring mount that would extend to the bottom the differential and spring mount. 

[cobraman]

I thought the bar attached to to the spring were overload or helper springs.

[cobraman]

Just now, cobraman said:

I thought the bar attached to to the spring were overload or helper springs.

?beat me to it !

[Mark]

Someone probably put those helper springs on rather than re-arch or replace the springs as should have been done.

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Those are definitely overload or helper springs. I have seen a ton of them over the years. Probably from somewhere like JC Whitney. I have seen these on plenty of big cars, four doors and wagons, but it is also possible that they were  used for traction as well.

[Daddyfink]

The steering wheel looks like a Lecarra 

Edited February 3, 2022 by Daddyfink

[Hotrod 97]

Thanks for the info, everyone. Now I know - overload/helper springs, and what appears to be a Grant or Lecarra steering wheel.

2 hours ago, Daddyfink said:

The steering wheel looks like a Lecarra 

That does look pretty close. Thanks for the picture.