The Classic Boss Kits sub-section covers the column-adapter kits suited to aftermarket steering wheels beyond the Moto-Lita range, Mountney, Astrali, and the wider universal-mounting wheels with their standardised mounting patterns. The classic boss kits use the same column-end fitting principles as the Moto-Lita kits but are dimensioned for the slightly different mounting-pattern arrangements that the wider aftermarket has adopted.
Application Coverage and Brand Compatibility
Classic boss kits are stocked for the principal classic-MG applications, MGB, Midget, MGA, MGC and MGB GT V8, with the column-end fitting matched to each car's original-equipment spline pattern. The wheel-side mounting pattern follows the universal six-hole or three-hole specifications that most aftermarket wheel manufacturers have standardised on, allowing a Mountney, an Astrali, a Personal, or any of the other branded wheels using the universal pattern to fit on the appropriate boss. The dimensional tolerances of the boss are slightly more generous than the Moto-Lita-specific kits to accommodate the small variations between different brand wheels.
Finish and Construction
Classic boss kits are typically supplied in a polished alloy or polished steel finish, with the appropriate column shroud and mounting hardware to complete a visually-consistent installation. The boss construction is machined alloy in most cases, light, strong, and resistant to corrosion under normal cabin conditions.
Where the wheel being fitted has a specific column-shroud requirement (some patterns have larger or smaller column-end shrouds than the standard), the classic boss kits can be supplied with shrouds matched to the wheel rather than the standard column-end shroud, the technical team confirms the appropriate combination at the point of order. The mounting hardware is supplied in the size and grade appropriate to the wheel-and-boss combination.
Fitting and Application Notes
Classic boss kit fitting follows the same procedure as the Moto-Lita boss kit fitting, original wheel removal, boss installation on the column end, column shroud fitting, wheel installation on the boss, and horn-wiring connection. The work is straightforward for an owner with basic tools and a workshop manual to hand. The principal application consideration is the wheel-to-boss bolt circle: ensuring that the wheel being fitted uses the same mounting pattern that the boss is dimensioned for. Most modern aftermarket wheels use one of two or three common patterns (typically the 70mm six-hole or the 74mm six-hole), and the boss kit is selected to match.
For owners fitting a vintage or specialist wheel with a non-standard pattern, the technical team is available to advise on the right combination, sometimes a custom adapter or a different boss-kit specification is the appropriate solution.