Mak

Looking for some opinions on wheels. Here's my dilemma... I'm currently running 17" Eagle Alloy 212's with brand new tires. These wheels were on the car when I bought it and I have mixed feelings about them... sometimes I like them... sometimes not so much (although I do get a lot of compliments on them). After I bought new tires online and had them mounted/balanced, I found out I have two bent wheels that cause a slight vibration (Thanks, Son. lol). There's a very good wheel repair guy in my area that's looked at them... one he can repair... one he can't.

So, option #1 is to replace the bad wheel at $275... have the other wheel repaired & polished at $100... have the remaining two polished at $50 each... and keep the new tires I have.

Option #2 would be to put that $475 towards a new set of 15" wheels and tires... and sacrifice the new tires (which will obviously cost considerably more in the end).

So, first question... what do you think of my current wheels? Love 'em... or hate 'em? (be brutally honest). Keep in mind I'm never planning on making my car all original or "correct".
Any opinions, good or bad, will be appreciated!


Second question... what's style 15" wheel would look best on my car (pics attached are some I'm considered)... or do you think another style wheel would look better???
Help me out here, guys! TIA

w-30dreamin

Some Olds SSI's would look great.

sorry my links to pics are not working.

Cragar eliminator 500...a wheel I'm fond of
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CR...1242/?rtype=10

Rocket Racing velocity. I would like to see these photoshopped on your car.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RPM-R54-786545/

clueless403

Like the wheels you curently have, they look great!! Now for the other wheels not so much. The rallys no way. aluminum slots they are just UGLY!! The classic torque thrust, if im right on what they are called? Look great on the 50s and 60s gassers. IMHO

Mak

Love the Cragar's... Hate the Rockets.
Thanks for input!

Mak

That's what I'm talkin' about! Really appreciate your input!

chrisneu68olds

Well since this in an opinion poll

I like the ones that are on there now. Not stock, but they are a nice clean design and they accentuate the chrome that is on your car. I personally think you made the right choice to begin with.

But if you are intent on making a change the Cragar 500's that w-30dreamin mentioned would look nice I think. The Rocket Racing would be so-so but I would have to see them on the car. I am mixed on the SSI's. Either really good, or really really bad.

As for the others,
#1 barely works but I think that is because there is not as much chrome on that car.
#2 look like old Cragar SSI's which would be ok, but there are so many cars using those, I would go for something a little more unique.
A grey finish like #5 would not be my first choice,
#6 is a boring throw back to when there were about 3 aftermarket wheels available.

But, I really hate #3. Those look like they belong on a Chevelle. Sorry, just an opinion. You ask, you get

jag1886

I personally don't like over sized rims and rubber band tires on classic style cars, so I don't really don't like your current rim/tire combo. I'm a sucker for classic styled wheels and taller rubber that properly fills the wheel well. I'm not much for rally wheels either, they just seem to be over used.

Mak

Not intent on anything, yet... still trying to decide.

Nothing to be sorry about... opinions are what I'm looking for, good or bad.
Thanks for the help!

Mak

I hear ya... I'm torn between the look I have and the look you have. Your tire/wheel combo looks great on your car! What wheels are they?

DeltaPace77

I feel your dilemma, as your current wheels look pretty good. Have you checked with other out of town wheel repair places, as some will practically rebuild them with welding, machining. Who knows how much that would cost though. Far as your tires, you could just stick with another set of 17” wheels. Don’t think you’d have any problem selling them, but of course taking a large hit.

chrisneu68olds

Mmmyeah but at least he is not putting some 24'' dunk/donk/dump whatevers. If that was the case...wow.

coppercutlass

Imo it does not look bad big bodied cars need a nice wheel to fit the wheelwells nice., a 17 is a nice touch. Have you tried looking on ebay for just a single wheel maybe someone had the same issue as you and is selling one or two maybe cheaper .

Mak

The bad wheel is bent in the center... if it could be repaired, I think the cost would be close to the cost of a new one anyway. As long as I keep the two bad wheels in back the vibration is barely noticeable... but I won't ever be able to rotate them to the front.

Mak

It's the whole new school/old school thing... and I'd never go any larger! Actually the car rides and handles extremely well with the current set-up.

Mak

I check eBay/CL just about everyday, haven't found one yet... but yeah, that would be ideal! The wheels are out of production, but still available new from a few vendors.

ent72olds

No to the Chebby wheels....a definite yes to the cragar 500's!

1970cs

The wheels you currently have are pretty decent!
I will take liberty with another route if you like the example attached.
American Racing has these in the 17" so you can reuse your tires! These are Torque thrust 2.1 polished.

Regards, Pat

Jaybird

Mak: Let me help you decide what to do. You just paid big bucks for new tires. They have lots of fresh rubber on them. You won't be able to re-croup your cost if you try to sell them now.
Keep your powder dry. You have two good wheels. Get the other two repaired or replaced. Drive the car for a couple of years and then give this some more thought.

But... It is your car and your cash and you can do what you want.
As the "Rotund One" aka: 'Honest' Nate Salter, (Old Autos) http://www.oldautos.ca/ likes to say, "as long as I be havin fun spending my own Rasbutniks, then there ain't no problem."

Lady72nRob71

You cant go wrong with classic Cragars!
The thrusts look good but your car needs shiny chrome to go with the chrome you have already.

No way to that Chevy style - the belong on Chevies.

jstrits

You wanted opinions....On big cars I like big wheels. I'm not a fan of eagle alloys. I guess when it comes to aftermarket wheels there are certain name brands that everyone has due to the $$$. I had 17" steel wheels made a few years back for a car I did. They make them even larger as well. (stockton wheel) Put some big-littles on that thing with some poverty caps slam the front an inch or two and be the only one like it at a show. You'd be surprised the attention even these 17's got.finished009.jpg

jstrits

american racing hopsters on this 65 that I did for a freind, car still rode well even with 20's on back.65whiteimpala001.jpg

tru-blue 442

Those classic torque thrust wheels that clueless 403 pointed out.
But those American racing wheels that Pat put up are very nice as
well. That chrome does show well with that beautiful red vert.
If you could get either one in 17's, that would be sweeeet.
Good luck on whatever you decide.

Mak

Hmmm... for another $325 ($800 total) I could pick up the Cragar's in 17", reuse my existing tires and be set. The more I look at this wheel the more I like it. I think in 17" it would be a good balance between modern/classic styling.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cragar-Polis...#ht_1625wt_952

jag1886

Same wheel you have pictured except polished, American Racing 200S.

w-30dreamin

These Cragar 500's are some great looking wheels!

On your body style car I also think some spokes would look right at home.Some Truspoke 50 spoke reversed would be nice...but pricey.

http://www.truespoke.net/

w-30dreamin

The wheels and stance of this Impala look great!

Mak

Hmmmm.....

Willidog

Personally I like the look of your current wheels. SSI's would look good too.

BIGJERR

I like your rims.......I would have a little more rubber out back is all......

coltsneckbob

The heck with the wheels...........who is the babe. And is that the Golden Gate in background?

MX442

Personally, I don't like those wheels. They look too 90's. What about these to keep the 17" tires you have?
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...w=8&vid=010057

Mak

The babe is Krissy... and I'm keepin' her!
The background is the SF skyline from Yerba Buena Island.
You can barely see the GG Bridge in background of this pic... (IF you were lookin' at the background, that is)

Mak

Not crazy about those... but the price is right!

Mak

Yeah, that would look cool... but I want to be able to rotate front-to-back, though.

Highwayman

Mak, I'm more old school so I don't care for those 20” rims, but the 17” doesn't look bad. At least you don't have those stupid spinner thingies that keep rolling when you're stopped!


I'd say do the repair or replace and keep what you've got or if you want a change I like the old Cragar SS like the teal car in picture #2 of your first post.

Mak

What's the thought's on these?

59-59-59

Tough call - you're looking like you are bordering on being an aspiring rap star. I'd stay away from the rubber band tires as someone else has mentioned

DENT

Beautiful car , beautiful girl , what more could you want?

Bunser

I think you've found your wheel. Best choice in my humble opinion.

Mak

Bingo... just the look I don't want!