Sidedraught
The wood rim wheel seems to have been standard fitment to KB10GL models. [to be confirmed] & in these, it came with the hard plastic pads in the spokes.
Your brochure pic shows a KB10GL model, note the dinky little console which was unique to the GL.
It was available in Japan as a "Coupe Option" for Coupes that were otherwise equipped with the standard steering wheel & this would be the DeLuxe Coupe which was the version sold in Australia. If there was ever a 'standard' Coupe, then it would be an option for these too.
As an option it was available in Japan in two forms, ... as a DeLuxe wheel with pads in the spokes, or as a 'Sport' version without them. Your photo simply depicts the 'Sport' spec wheel, so it's not really 'missing' the pads.
The Aussie parts book lists only one part number & it's for the DeLuxe version.
In the 1200, however, the GL model had it's own 'standard' wheel & the wood rim wheel was strictly an option for all coupes except GX.
Of course, if you had ordered a new Sedan/Van/Ute, the dealer could get one in as a spare part & fit it to your new car before delivery, but the 1000 & 1200 coupes could get it on the assembly line as a 'factory option'.
This is my latest acquisition. It's a 1200 Coupe option wheel & it's the DeLuxe version with the pads in the spokes. It's the one that clyons8 mentioned.
I didn't get the 1200 horn button with it, so I fitted one of my KB10 buttons & I like it better than the bulbous 1200 item.
These are only an inch or so smaller than the standard wheel, but they allow easy control & a good view of the instruments, neither of which the small aftermarket wheels offer.
I had bought a KB10 wheel new back in 1980 & that's it on the left, while the one on the right is another one that I got from Japan for spares.
Thanks Matt for your help yet again.
The one on the right is a 1200 wheel that I found on a wrecked 1200 sedan in a Queanbeyan wrecking yard for $10. It looks to be the 'Sport" version without pads. This one had no horn button either.
I gave it to Benny who subsequently restored it & it now sees daily duty on his 1200 GX.
The one on the left is the original one that I bought new in 1980.
The main difference between the 1200 & 1000 wheels is the wheel hub or 'boss'.
The 1200 one is on the left.
I have now owned four of these wheels, three of which were sourced within Australia & three of which I still own, so they do exist & can be found.
One needs only to keep looking, be patient, have cash ready, & act quickly when the opportunity arises.
Having good friends that wake you with a phone call at some ungodly hour [like 9am] to tell you when one comes up for sale is always a huge asset. Thanks Ben.