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.
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[@nick4506]

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

[@Nimh2600]

That is exactly what I was thinking. I have one in a 280z and Silvia

[@myrmeko]

@@Nimh2600 dude. You're just flexing those, admit it. 😂 They are a 280Z and a Silvia. Those are, like, king tier cars in the automotive world. Even the most beat up, absolutely trash looking Silvia will still be appreciated more than any car produced at this moment or even in the last 20 years. It simply doesn't matter. It says Silvia on it and that's more than enough. Same goes for the Z.

[@Nimh2600]

@@myrmeko I wish the 280 was a 240 but back in 2014 I bought a pretty clean 280z for 3000$ in high school so pretty cheap. Got the Silvia to build credit in 2017 but it’s been sitting in a field since 2019 at my parents farm.

[@ao8271]

Perfect, aimed at real enthusiasts

[@CameronLegend]

Mine is going in my clapped out e46 m3

[@sameagle988]

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.

[@713Jflo]

I got it in my 75 Alfa Romeo Spider and I love it

[@michaeljoiner2503]

'74 GTV

[@bikerman6907]

My old man has Nardi steering wheel in his 61 Fiat Osca 1500 cabrio

[@pubrally]

Still saving . It is my dream car ....which one you ask.......All of them!!

[@seankeef9838]

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

[@francisconeto85]

Indeed. #MakePetrolicousGreatAgain.

[@ianboundy8804]

Vid probably clipped in order to fit in the friggin' ad we all love. Not.

[@pilotdavo]

Yea. Very disappointing!

[@SuodesTzeos]

what happened to the end of this video?

[@giuseppepiodimezza163]

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

[@Guzzist11]

Really? It will be kinda hard to say this without you beeing offended, so let me tell you first please that i grew up on the Backset of my Dads Fiats and i myself drive Alfa Romeos since the 155. I own a vintage Vespa and two Moto Guzzis and i am not Italian. I personally think no other country can deliver that amount of heart and emotion in connection with a vehicle and despite some flaws i can not image to drive something else. This video on the other hand is a classic case for me i wish i had not seen. The two critical parts it seems are delivered from elsewhere...the laminated wood and the probably lasercut core. All i see is laminating and routing the edges followed by polishing. I´m sorrry to say that but every small compnay...hell...every woodworker with the fitting machines could do that job. For me this is a classic case of "Brandname". Tons of poeple "could" do that, but sadly they are not "Nardi" they are around since ever and they make a good product. Period. Nothing someone else couldn´t....they just lack the name. Stay safe :)

[@yakovendelman7659]

@@Guzzist11 Simple yet quality, can't remember anything of quality coming from the US

[@giuseppepiodimezza163]

@@Guzzist11 I can understand when you mention that someone else can reproduce a steering wheel given the right tools. What they will never have is all the history behind and the quality a company such Nardi can provide. By the way my dad is a old school Alfista, he owns a couple of Alfa Romeos including a 1972 Gt 2000 veloce, two Duetto "Osso di seppia" and some Giulias so as you can see i grew up with Alfa and i've always been into them!

[@studiocalder818]

@@giuseppepiodimezza163 Le Alfa montavano gli Hellebore però

[@studiocalder818]

@@Guzzist11 Interesting. Sorry Guzzist, a curiosity, why after having professed faith on many models of Italian motorcycles and cars you present yourself with a photo of a Z3 (which by the way I don't find one of the best Bavarian examples)

[@Ashfielder]

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

[@3ducs]

Had to look it up. A Mazda that was killed off when the Japanese economic bubble burst. Very high end. I'd like to know more about your car.

[@Ashfielder]

@@3ducs It’s a 1990 Eunos Roadster, basically a Mazda MX-5 or Miata for the Japanese market. Imported to the UK in 2000. As it’s an early model it has the V-Spec trim, which includes nice leather seats and wooden finishing by Nardi; the steering wheel, gear knob, and hand brake lever. Really a very nice interior package, and of course the Mazda MX-5 is one of the greatest driver’s cars ever made, so it’s a lot of fun.

[@3ducs]

@@Ashfielder Sounds very nice! I have a '16 MX-5 ND Sport, my first MX-5, excellent car other than the stock brakes, which will be replaced by Flyin Miata Wilwood calipers.

[@raulchavez5411]

Eunos owner here. The Nardi wheel was the selling point for getting my 92 B&T Roadster. I feel like I have the best of many worlds in a single car (Japanese reliability, British roadster look, Italian interiors and German-BBS wheels... nothing American?)

[@redbarchetta8782]

The difference between artistry and industry are blurred. Wonderful.

[@stephen300o6]

Craftsmanship is where industry and artistry meet.

[@ArtVandelayOfficial]

China ruined it

[@carlodanese9120]

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.

[@achilleconte4385]

Completamente d'accordo. Il mondo corre e noi perdiamo il tempo piangendoci addosso, rivangando i fasti del passato o insultadoci, non va bene.

[@herbertgarrison6548]

wow, who edited that ending? it was terrible.

[@mr.butterworth4216]

The opening ended rather abruptly too, reminding me I’m watching a KZbin video unfortunately.

[@seuksavanhvongsipraseuth5153]

Theres a season 2

[@BirdoTheBird]

I keep noticing a lot of these Petrolicious videos are very poorly edited and the sound is usually very badly mixed. Their content is slowly lowering in quality.

[@attilabori4734]

Probably the same guy who worked on the wheels...;)

[@motorcityoctane6713]

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

[@ArthurZakaryan23]

Yeah I absolutely love pieces like this. Petrolicious production quality is second to none and these short journey's into age old brands like Nardi, I can watch them all day. They need to do this for more brands.

[@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

[@martinrodgers6114]

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.

[@faizrahman7671]

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

[@studiocalder818]

No cost problems

[@ArtVandelayOfficial]

Very rare nowadays it's disgraceful how many companies do it

[@brettpatching]

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

[@ArthurZakaryan23]

Interesting to hear about the history between Nardi and Ferrari, that I didn't know about.

[@santiagoardilesgonzalez6451]

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!!

[@toasty925]

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

[@guidokleemann7524]

Complimenti

[@guidokleemann7524]

Grazie. L'Italia è ricca di eccellenze... Ma sono eccellenze singole. Purtroppo non fanno sistema. Troppo poco per un paese che da 30 anni soffre di un declino strutturale multicasuale attualmente inarrestabile.

[@neoanderson7]

Truly a work of art. Fantastic! 👏🏻

[@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.

[@michaelcampbell4503]

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!

[@studiocalder818]

Great Michael. Though I'd suggest you a wooden chalice Hellebore for your great 'Sud. They were designed for bigger sisters of the same era. And they marry perfectly. Sure, more serial but still beautiful

[@liamjump3884]

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!

[@lasseellingsen4779]

I love the Soul Made-serie! Great content.

[@bernhardlist9359]

Nice video. Last year I purchased a Jaguar E-Type V12 roadster and started restoring it. I am not a history racing expert but noticed that it hat a nice wooden steering wheel. Shortly thereafter I showed this car to a friend of mine and mentioned that I am looking for one of the original plastic steering wheels and remove that nice wooden one. My friend only asked my if I am stupid to exchange an original „Nardi“ with a plastic (even if original) wheel? Following this, I received a lecture in steering wheel history. Ok, the Nardi stays in the car! Now smarter, Bernhard

[@xzvxzv4358]

It's what makes a classic car by these steering wheels... marvelous and unique.

[@studiocalder818]

The Nardi are and were unique masterpieces, however the Hellebores of Alfa Romeo fitted to the 105 series and the Alfettas were more serial but incredibly beautiful for large series models. It is perhaps the only case in which I prefer an original equipment steering wheel to a Nardi.

[@xiiifas2968]

Love these kind of videos

[@GarryMcGovern]

Utterly, utterly divine. I only wish I had a car worthy of one of these works of art!

[@ArthurZakaryan23]

Yeah it's almost a travesty to put a wheel like this in a car where it's going to stick out like a sore thumb to be out of place.

[@joshuabodgers9238]

I have a new found respect for Nardi

[@theodor12]

These are such pieces of art

[@vivianmcalexander9999]

Simply beautiful! The craftsmanship is fabulous! 💝😃

[@agastbody]

Masterpiece!

[@mikewaite3746]

During the pandemic I picked up and ordered from nardi themselves a really nice 39 mm wheel. While everything was shut down they did it made to order steering wheel for my 1970 Volvo 1800e. I love the wheel much better than factory and really sets off the car. Even though it's not the fastest car I feel like a super car driver with the wheel!

[@StephenPeot]

Makes me want to drive my E30 so bad, the wheel is everything.

[@berkeleygarvelink9406]

Was thinking the same thing while watching this

[@rholt7448]

Running a nardi classic in my S13 and absolutely love it. I don't mind paying a lil more for a quality product thats still hand made in Italy.

[@willbennett7508]

Best ad I’ve ever seen

[@redeyerob2176]

The best in the business for me, i have a classic 330 flat face and a 330 personal beside me at the minute and the quality is second to none from the beautiful leather to the quality of the stitching, no other steering wheel comes close

[@jpkatz1435]

Video very light on details, they don't us to know TOO much. I 've seen real Nardi wheels, they are WORKS OF ART.

[@surfakimo2674]

A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

[@ArtorMachine]

Incomparable! #thumbsup

[@lsimpson50]

great video!

[@RoelfvanderMerwe]

whoah. Incredible

[@gemizu4874]

Beautiful steering wheels!

[@tjnz]

Love my Nardi Wheels

[@jasontimmons1568]

Makes me appreciate my Nardi steering wheel just a little more.

[@davidorama6690]

Beautiful

[@christiangomez886]

I have one in mi car and i love to touch it! 👌🏽great video

[@robertosalvati6166]

Complimenti eleganza e grande maestria.

[@PedalMafiaM]

I love my Nardi SE wood package in my 01 Miata

[@666gnarlsbad]

What a cool video.

[@qalandaryar]

Nardi in my opinion always made the finest wheel. Have them in all 3 of my cars.

[@_Greasyzoku_]

I absolutely love my Nardi

[@Pitti_Piotr]

Nardi wheels are my favorite. I have one and want to have more in the future. 🖤

[@stephen300o6]

Me too, and one day, I'm going to buy a car.

[@redeyerob2176]

I may or may not have three and will more then likely buy more, the best wheel company there is

[@polloloci21]

Awesome.

[@theblishknovk]

so good

[@maya00795]

Awesome buddy. .... Greetings from india 🎉🙌🏻🙏🏻

[@MrMfaust5]

Magnifico

[@thomasmulhall4873]

Five more hours per piacere! Grazie

[@ian-kz3mb]

you just miss the days where steering wheels were simple and uncluttered, luckily manufacturers like McLaren have similar filosofies

[@ArthurZakaryan23]

Take a look at Gordon Murray's new T.50 steering wheel where it is about as simple as you'll see in a modern day supercar, not much different than what he put in the McLaren F1.

[@ian-kz3mb]

@@ArthurZakaryan23 wise men make wise decisions

[@3ducs]

Took a moment, then I got it, philosophies. I too miss the days of elegant steering wheels. Moto-Lita also makes some nice steering wheels.

[@POVShotgun]

Such a bizarre spelling error

[@3ducs]

@@POVShotgun Just phonetics. Or is that fonetics? English is sometimes a strange language, that may stem from all the outside words that have been incorporated into it. English assimilates.

[@medihedayati9132]

I didn’t understand a word in the clip but I didn’t have to.very good video 👌

[@Yaro2]

You can use the captions (subtitles) :)

[@leungvictor5133]

There's english caption for this video

[@ArthurZakaryan23]

Italian is one of the few foreign languages that I can listen to all day and not understand it but just hearing how nice it sounds puts a smile on my face.

[@medihedayati9132]

@@ArthurZakaryan23 Very true

[@yerrsquadtv6394]

Viva l’Italia!! 🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹

[@storyteller1749]

Great video of you understand Italian.

[@redeyerob2176]

There is subtitles you know

[@francis8062]

When the steering wheel is pure ARTWORK.

[@NanXinG9109]

my heart missed a beat with the ending, sobb

[@alessandroamosso8619]

Italian proud ❤️❤️❤️

[@dattepo7534]

Glad I got one for my Datsun

[@trdjody]

Those 21 ppl that Dislike Nardi Have momo steering wheels 😂

[@Lionheart.]

I like both and Sparco also.

[@kenxiong6830]

Nardi and Moto lita are the last of the great craftsmen in the automotive world

[@stuffhappens5681]

So a MOMO is a Fender Stratocaster and a Nardi is a Gibson Les Paul. Got it.

[@ArtVandelayOfficial]

😄 I like that

[@tupapirafa]

I'm restoring one of those right now ♥

[@paulsummers2640]

I agree with everything the man said. 😎

[@kevinnathanson6876]

The buffer at 5:34; Oh. My. God. Look at the SIZE of that thing! It's like the inverse of the stonehenge scene in Spinal Tap... Even the on/off knobs are enormous! You could buff a whole CAR with that thing, not just the steering wheel!

[@bones6978]

There's no other steering wheel manufacturer that even comes close to Nardi

[@hungryalien]

nice episode! thanks petrolicious #drivetastefully

[@donachille3351]

My surname is Nardi and I'm from Indonesia. Little did I know that the name also has a profound place in motorsport/automotive insdustry. Thank you Petrolicious!

[@SeattleDinghyer]

Just bought an old Nardi wheel for my Volvo; the rubber grip on my wheel is slipping and becoming unsafe. I love wood wheels, had on my my first car, a Volkswagen, and loved the way the wheel felt in my hands. Watched this to get an insight on mow theyre made.

[@manolo2276]

I had one with signature on my Lancia Fulvia HF Authentic masterpiece

[@MonguzTea]

My 92 MX5 has a Nardi wheel. It makes car the feel like its from the 60s not the 90s. Sadly its one of the last cars without airbag.

[@wadesmith273]

Good point - these can really only be used in antique or resto-mods, and in several states, might not even be able to be used legally - anyone know?

[@marvinmartinsYT]

Although I like Nadi because they look great. I have a 30 year old Nissan with the original steering wheel. It’s still in great condition. I’m surprised at how many folk in the comments are bragging about the age of their wheel. Being only 30 years old.

[@chasevans7171]

Had one in a mazda eunos a few years ago. Beautiful to look at. Crap to drive with. Too slippy without gloves on. The leather personal steering wheel I have in my drift car is lovely to hold though.

[@amgguy4319]

They are the most elegant

[@ICKY427]

i have a decent collection of wheels but STILL havent gotten my hands on a Nardi wood rim. i have a couple Personals, but no Nardi yet. I know theyre everywhere but its hard to find them much under $300

[@SPDTOY]

Is there a part 2? Feel like there’s more to this video...

[@johndeerman2105]

A wonderful video. I have no idea what he said but there is just something about the Italian language. When speaking about cars there isn't a better way of doing it. ✌🙋🏻‍♂️

[@MisterBShi]

If you turn on closed captioning it is subtitled in English

[@bobbuilder9368]

Is that wood for the wheel laminate or a solid piece? Always wondered how they did that

[@dancinglizard3080]

What is the song used at the beginning of the video?

[@markcarter9476]

I love a wooden steering wheel, they are beautiful, tactical and loaded with emotion. The drawback is sweaty palms do not grip well on highly lacquered wood, not good when attacking the Nurburgring .........

[@charlesdefrancisco5056]

Would have been nice for sub titles and more demonstration of how they make them

[@MisterBShi]

Turn on closed captioning “English”. They’re there

[@DucatiDreamSIC58]

🇮🇹🔝

[@benstone5038]

I wonder if these guys are making my order for me now? :)

[@krtacct]

Italian is a beautiful language. Crying shame I don’t understand a word of it.

[@flyingcyril2672]

@Petrolicious, well, what's up for Lecara and Motolita ?

[@bubot17]

That's what I use on my karmann ghia

[@FBI-eo9yx]

I have one in my 1992 mitsubishy mighty max pick up lol

[@thizzney510]

Lol don't know what he's saying speak Spanish and English but i appreciate the craftsmanship I'm going with the vintage nardi over the momo

[@e.padlan4931]

Hidup mobil manual 👍👍👍

[@kidoctane]

I sometimes find myself contemplating buying an old Italian car just so l can fit a Nardi steering wheel. One day. Disclosure: l have only have had Italian cars in 41 years of car ownership

[@studiocalder818]

you have personality!

[@atupe]

What's the music at the beginning?

[@DuBstep115]

Name more iconic duo w126 and nardi steering wheel.

[@ToniDella]

Ferrari 250 GTO 🤔😂

[@joshquarter3097]

Damn