A TALE OF TWO WHEELS (Steering Wheels)

by Rau May 21, 2012 Accessories
Thumbnail image for A TALE OF TWO WHEELS (Steering Wheels)

A story about two men, two wheels, and the desire to change…

Aston Martin: TOP SECRET

by Rau May 16, 2012 Restoration
Thumbnail image for Aston Martin: TOP SECRET

The following story is true, only the names have been changed to protect the innocent and our company customer relationship. Queue the theme music and attractive dancers.

MERCEDES–BENZ S63 AMG

by Rau May 9, 2012 Accessories
Thumbnail image for MERCEDES–BENZ S63 AMG

It can be difficult to get an AMG Sport Steering Wheel customized by the factory, even for one of the largest Mercedes-Benz dealers in California. This is where we come in…

Rolls-Royce 1991 Corniche wood evaluation (A New Discovery)

by Rau May 7, 2012 Videos
Thumbnail image for Rolls-Royce 1991 Corniche wood evaluation (A New Discovery)

While working on this 1991 Rolls-Royce Corniche door cap a discovery was made. Watch this video for an explanation…

Rolls-Royce Phantom Steering Wheel

by Rau May 2, 2012 Custom Projects
Thumbnail image for Rolls-Royce Phantom Steering Wheel

The Rolls-Royce Phantom was missing a hand crafted wooden steering wheel! That was until a Service Director from our local Rolls-Royce dealer came to us with the wheel off the first 2003 Phantom in America. This steering wheel would be the first wood Phantom wheel in the world…

Rolls-Royce Steering Wheel Before and After

by Rau April 25, 2012 Videos
Thumbnail image for Rolls-Royce Steering Wheel Before and After

It’s hard to believe that you would find a plastic steering wheel inside of an otherwise beautiful Rolls-Royce automobile, but that’s what you would find in a Silver Shadow from the mid 1960s…

1913 Packard Steering Wheel Restoration

by Rau April 23, 2012 Restoration
Thumbnail image for 1913 Packard Steering Wheel Restoration

“Ask the Man Who Owns One” was the slogan 100 years ago, but few men own Packard Automobiles today, so it was a special treat to have the opportunity to work on the steering wheel from a 1913 Packard…

1991 Rolls-Royce Corniche wood evaluation videos

by Rau April 23, 2012 Repairs
Thumbnail image for 1991 Rolls-Royce Corniche wood evaluation videos

The first step in wood restoration is a proper evaluation by a qualified wood restorer. The preliminary examination takes place when the wood arrives and prior to the removal of the old finish…

1959 Mercedes Benz 220s Walnut Burl Steering Wheel

by Rau April 19, 2012 Repairs
Thumbnail image for 1959 Mercedes Benz 220s Walnut Burl Steering Wheel

Pre-airbag steering wheels offer a unique design oppotunity as seen with this 1950 Mercedes Benz 220s Steering wheel…

Wood Repairs for Luxury Automobiles

by Rau April 17, 2012 Repairs
Thumbnail image for Wood Repairs for Luxury Automobiles

For nearly 15 years Rau Restoration has offered Bentley and Rolls-Royce Dealers the finest wood service in North America, featuring seamless repair, and expedited turnaround for parts under warranty…

Veneers used by Bentley and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Thumbnail image for Veneers used by Bentley and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars by Rau April 17, 2012 Videos

Some people would like to see what the wood veneers look like before they’re turned into beautiful steering wheels and accessories…

Modern Lady Article: Picnic Table Repair Overview

by Rau April 17, 2012 Repairs
Thumbnail image for Modern Lady Article: Picnic Table Repair Overview

When we say Picnic Tables, we’re not talking about tables down at the park, we’re talking about the folding tables in the back of Rolls-Royce automobiles. We are proud to have an article in the current issue of “Modern Lady” covering the topic of picnic table repair…

Bookmatching Veneer for Rolls-Royce and Bentley Wood Trim

by Rau April 16, 2012 Videos
Thumbnail image for Bookmatching Veneer for Rolls-Royce and Bentley Wood Trim

You shouldn’t judge a book by the cover, but what about a bookmatch? We often mention bookmatching and bookmatches, but some people may not be sure what we’re talking about…

Rau’s new youtube channel

by Rau February 28, 2012 Videos
Thumbnail image for Rau’s new youtube channel

Finally after a long delay, we set up our new Youtube Channel called “The RAU Collection”…

Have you ever wondered how things are made?

by Rau May 3, 2011 Custom Projects
Thumbnail image for Have you ever wondered how things are made?

Many people have been openly wondering why, “How It’s Made”, the uniquely entertaining cable program, has never featured the process of making a Bespoke pre-airbag, 2-spoke, full walnut burl Rolls-Royce steering wheel with custom leather, on their show…

Voisin – New Wood for a Classic French Beauty

by Rau November 30, 2010 Restoration
Thumbnail image for Voisin – New Wood for a Classic French Beauty

1934 Voisin C27 Grand Sport Cabriolet with special coachwork by Joseph Figoni. Joseph Figoni arrived in Paris as Giuseppe, a three year old with his family from Piacenza Italy in 1897. He developed from his teen years as an apprentice in a wagon building shop to the status of an artist in metalwork by his [...]

New Rolls-Royce Ghost Wood Repair

by Rau November 22, 2010 Repairs
Thumbnail image for New Rolls-Royce Ghost Wood Repair

Rolls Royce (RR) is famous the world over for its superior level of customer service. The following real-life example illustrates this point, and how Rau was approached and able to facilitate a win-win solution. The RR Ghost was first offered to the public in 2009.  The “Ghost” nameplate is named in honor of the Silver [...]

Custom Wood Steering Wheels Now Available with Leather Colors to Match Interior Leather Trim for Range Rover models – from William Rau

by Rau November 10, 2010 Accessories
Thumbnail image for Custom Wood Steering Wheels Now Available with Leather Colors to Match Interior Leather Trim for Range Rover models – from William Rau

Word has it, there is unrest amongst Range Rover enthusiasts, who love their cars, but would like to have color options for the leather on the steering wheels. As it is and has been, the only leather color available is generic black.  Not bad if you have a black interior, but what if you have [...]

Not Your Ordinary Steering Wheel

by Rau November 4, 2010 Carbon
Thumbnail image for Not Your Ordinary Steering Wheel

Remember the red Ferrari in Bueller’s Day Off that crashed through a glass wall and landed at the bottom of a dirt slope? Thankfully it was only a stunt car spruced up to look like a 1961 250 GT California Spyder. I always find the sight of a damaged Ferrari (even the stunt models) unnerving. [...]

Autobiography – Custom Ash Burl Steering Wheel and Shift Knob from William Rau

by Rau October 18, 2010 Accessories
Thumbnail image for Autobiography – Custom Ash Burl Steering Wheel and Shift Knob from William Rau

Historically the Autobiography line started internationally as a very personalized program, enabling the customer to choose any exterior color.  Eventually it developed into a derivative product with a wide range of personal choices and flexibility, yet no longer a bespoke program. Speaking with the Land Rover HQ in the UK, we are told that the [...]

← Previous Entries