1971 442 convert

Happy New Year everyone.

I have been researching on the best way to go to change from 14" to 15" and I apologize if this is getting old for some of you.

Want to keep as original as possible and probably going with 245/60/15 BFG tires.
Looking for SS11 I believe and I was looking to buy new.
Unless I am mistaken (that's what I tell my wife when I'm wrong LOL), the only wheels that look close to the originals are from Blue Oval Ranch.
Has any one purchased from them? Who makes these wheels?
I have looked at Specialty Wheel and Wheel vintiques but they do not look as to close my originals.

I thought I read on here some where that the bolt on center caps were the same for 14 and 15" did I dream this?

Any help and guidance would be much appreciated.

These are what I have now.

1969w3155

With the exception of the '69 H/O wheels, no 15" SSII's had a bolt on center cap, they were snap on.

70Post

There was a SSII (or whatever you want to call it SSIII or SSXP5000-I dont' care......same wheel center as the blue wheels shown in the pics) made in the 1974/5 time frame that is a 15" wheel AND uses the same large bolt on center caps as shown on those wheels. Only difference is the trim ring.

They are not easy to find and accordingly aren't inexpensive.

The snap on 15" wheels came along sometime after that and are much more common and affordable.

1971 442 convert

Thanks guys and yes if you could find them I bet they would be expensive.

Has anyone purchased form Blue Oval Ranch and am I correct in assuming these are the closest wheels out there to the originals?

stevengerard

expensive is all relative, any new reproduction wheel will cost even more than a 15x7 SSII that has a bolt-on center cap. But with a repo you get everything nice and new, a big plus. With used you may have to find all the pieces - the center cap, trim ring and the 5 center bezels. Used rims can be found from 50 - 100 in 15x7 bolt on, if you don't mind the snap-on version you can find used rims for less than 50 all day.

1971 442 convert

Thanks any idea who sells the best repops?

guy.graziano

I just ordered a set of 15" SS1's from Blue Oval Ranch. Jason was very nice. I am going to put them on my newly acquired, 66 Cutlass 4 speed (previously for sale here on CO).

I am going with 215/70/15 BFG T/As because I cant stomach paying $240 for Redlines. The wheels that they sell are made by Specialty Wheel which come to find out just purchased Wheel Vintiques!

I have been in the same research mode as of late and it seems everyone and their brother has gotten a set of wobblers from Wheel Vintiques....

I had a 72 Cutlass with 245/60/15's on there - They look great! I didn't think I could pull that off with the my 66.

GUY

1971 442 convert

Thanks Guy

I have been looking at the Blue Oval site and have a call in.
I was looking at the SS11's. with 245/60/15's
How is the quality of your new SS1's?

guy.graziano

I just ordered them today...

1971 442 convert

Guy,

OK I would be interested on your comments and a couple of pics once you receive them if you don't mind. Did you order the trim rings from them too?
Not sure where you are located but also wondered how much the shipping costs were.

Roger

guy.graziano

The shipping was $100 from Blue Oval ranch to NJ. I ordered the SS1s that are all chrome - no trim rings... I definately will post pics.

stevengerard

did you see this note on their website? Wouldn't think they would stop making SSIIs

This wheel is extremly hard to get right now, and you can not get it painted, the only way to get it is with a bare steel center, with chrome outer rim. You will have to paint the inside yourself, the supply on these wheels is limited, and maybe come discontinued in the near future.

1971 442 convert

I called Jason at Blue Oval today to try and order the SS11's and he called back saying that specialty wheel is no longer making this wheel.

1969w3155

Specialty Wheels is owned by the Coker Group (Coker Tires), and they (Coker) just bought Wheel Vintiques.

CRUZN 66

According to information available, 15" SSII's with bolt on center caps were produced in 1974 as Option N71..... Wheel part number was 417796 using trim ring number 419269, and center cap number 402926....

I had a set of these wheels which I sold to an individual from Florida at an OCA National Meet..... They are very hard to find (especially as a set of 4), but I have seen them (one and two at a time) at different swap meets that I have attended....

1971 442 convert

That's what Ive heard 1974 was the only year for the bolt ons.
I may have to buy them one at a time or make my rims bigger LOL

stevengerard

they are out there, I have heard they were made late 73 and in 74. I have a set and see plenty of them for sale, not easy to find but they are out there