TenMidgets

Hello,

As you can see my 1972 Cutlass S needs some new wheels and tires as I am not a huge fan of the original hubcaps. I have looked on ebay and craigslist but haven't been able to find anything reasonable when you factor in the shipping charges. Wondering if there are known outfits who sell reconditioned wheels at a reasonable price that I could pick up in the NY/NJ/CT area? What is a fair price range for a set of four wheels for a driver quality car in your estimations?

Thanks,
Bill

stevengerard

14 x 7 ralley bolt-on center caps are a dime a dozen, just keep looking should be able to get them for 20 - 30 each. Chrome trim rings, center caps and bezels will vary in condition. but they are out there

redoldsman

If you want to be original, your car was available with 14" Rally II wheels with bolt on center caps. A lot of guys go with 15" Rallys. I am not sure what they cam on. You are correct that shipping can eat your lunch on wheels. My suggestion would be to post an add in the Parts Wanted section on this board. Somebody had a set of American Racing wheels for sale on here. I love those wheels and think they would look great on your car. They are one of my favorite wheels but that is just my opinion. Look in the parts for sale section. You have a nice looking car and a nice set of wheels will really set it off.

Charles Ludwick

i should have a set of 14s that will fit over the large disc brakes ....available soon... i paid 400 for them with rings and caps and tires that are on them

they are pictured on the car below

i believe the shipping is bout 100 with no tires

make an offer,,, i will get some closer pics if you want

they are rattle can black and could use some sanding and a fresh coat... rings and caps show the age but look great from a few feet away

TenMidgets

Thanks guys! @Charles - your wheels look nice and is basically what I'm looking for, but being on the opposite coast to you here in NY may be bit costly to ship for me.

@skyrla - VERY good to know!

In general does it matter what era rally wheels I put on the car? I have seen some sets available local to me that are at reasonable prices but they are from the late 70's originally. I assume they would fit my 72 but not sure if the caps are all the same? Ideally I would like a set from 69-72 but since its just a driver I won't sweat it if they are not period correct...just want to make sure they would fit. It also seems the design of the rally wheels didn't change for 20 years (I suppose cause its a classic design that works)!

stevengerard

there is a difference between the earlier bolt on center caps and the later snap-on center caps. Not much but to those who know it can be obvious. Do a search, not sure where but there are a few threads on here so you can look at pictures. For a daily driver I don't think you should worry and I'd suggest looking for 15 x 7 snap-on rims from 74 up as they will be cheaper then the limited 15 x 7 bolt-ons and the 15 inch rim provides more choices of tires and a better ride

2blu442

Hi Bill
As Steven said there is a difference in appearance, but I think they both look nice since they're Oldsmobile specific! The bolt on center sits down deeper into the wheel and the snap on sticks out somewhat. Both the 14" and 15" wheels have the same centers, the difference is in the outer wheel and hidden by the stainless steel trim ring. Here's an example of each for you to check out. The snap on centers are much more common and lower priced for both the 14" and 15" wheels. But I do like the look of 15" wheels better. In the pictures the blue 15" wheels are on the front of a 1967 Cutlass. The white snap on wheels are on the back of a 1964 Cutlass. Since I'm mixing different years it may not show the difference, but I think the 15" rubber fills out the wheelwells better and looks nicer. Oops! I just realized these are both 15" wheels! John

P1010271.jpg

P1010257.jpg

P1010258.jpg

P1010261.jpg

P1010259.jpg

P1010260.jpg

11971four4two

I have a set of 4 fourteen 7 rallys with the bolt on center from a 1970 442. They will work with disc brakes. MA code by the valve stem. NO wheel trim.
$180 shipped to lower 48 states. You will need to paint them to match your car , Currently painted blue

Merry Christmas

hinz57

always another option.

http://www.specialtywheel.com/

TenMidgets

Update: I agreed to purchase a set of 15x8 Olds rally wheels with relatively new Cooper Cobra tires for $200. They originally came off a '73 442 and are painted black. Please see pictures below...I am looking forward to picking these up, but please let me know of any concerns you may see (again driver quality only for me). Thanks!

http://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/pts/2736460507.html

Charles Ludwick

hopefully you can find the centercaps !!

J-(Chicago)

Those are 75-77 wheels. F.Y.I.
73' should still have bolt in centers.

J-(Chicago)

As John posted, there is an obvious difference.

The snap on center wheels have a very distinct "letter Y" pattern,


and the bolt-ons are shaped more like a coffee filter.

TenMidgets

Noted. With the visual explanation provided I finally get it. Thanks for the great info on this!

Also it sounds like these aren't easy to just bolt on in place of the old wheels. Will balancing these be complicated and expensive bringing it to a local mechanic or a Mavis Discount Tire to handle professionally?

Finally if I want to repaint these, do the chrome "D-rings" pop out easily for a quick scuff and re-spray?

Thanks again,
Bill

TenMidgets

Also can you guys recommend a sandpaper to use to scuff the wheels before I spray another coat of black on them? Do you use a satin black? Glossy w/ rustproof?

Finally I am looking to sell my hubcaps that are on the car as well as a new set still in the box left by the seller to the hubcap store. Are these worth anything?

Thanks,
Bill

TenMidgets

Update: the wheels and tires are on. What a difference from the pic at the top of the thread, huh?

Charles Ludwick

would be nice to actually see the wheels and car ??

TenMidgets

Sorry - I guess the upload didn't go thru.

Charles Ludwick

what a difference !!! mine looked like it was ready for the junkyard before i put the rims on it ...

TenMidgets

No doubt. The wheels change the whole look of these cars!

Allan R

If the ones that were on the car have the usual scuffing and road rash, you'd probably get $5.00 per cover

New ones? NOS still in the box? Test the market. They could be worth some $$ to someone. I have 2 sets of them myself in really decent condition I'd probably ask 30/set. I also have a new set of NOS 14" wire wheel covers still in the box that are waiting for the right day and set of wheels. They cost over 400.00 + shipping.

Put them in the PFS section and put a price that you'd be comfortable with. New undamaged stuff is worth something. BTW, these covers also were correct for the 73 Cutlass and Omega lines.

libtysaint

Hi Charles, I am new to the club. Do you still have those 14" wheels. I am looking for a set for my 1970 Cutless surpreme.

stevengerard

libtysaint - If you can't find them on here you are in a great area to find any part you could imagine in your own back yard. There is a guy on Bush Blvd I believe near 275, Bob Andersen, has an Interstate Battery company half of his storage is 68-72 cars and parts, not cheap, not expensive but you are right there, best place to get anything you could probably need.

Charles Ludwick

i have stock steel wheels with hub caps 30 bucks for the set plus shipping

these are not ss rims they are plain steel wheels

libtysaint

libtysaint

Thank you for the come back. I think I will hold out and keep looking for the ss wheels, thanks.

droptopron

That is quite an improvement. Unfortunately the pic opens up pretty small so its hard to see the details. Eother way, $200 w tires is a smoking deal. Congrats.