Opinions Wanted... Rate My Wheels!
January 23rd, 2012, 08:53 AM
#42
I have a set of the Eagle 212's on my other car and dont like them. They bend WAY to easy. Watch those minor pot holes and curbs cuz you will be fixing them bent suckers for the life of them. They do polish up well with .0000 steel wool followed by an alluminum polish.
I have always been a big fan of these and I would definately get them powder coated. I love chrome but if my car didnt have enough chrome to compliment the rims then its a no go.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...l_ci3_l-1-.jpg
These would be my second choice, also powder coated for the reasons stated above.
http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Cragar-Polish...rJw~~60_12.JPG
As you can tell I just love the 5 spoke look on these type of cars. To me it screams class! Of and like you Im not concerned about keeping my car "correct" and I would go no bigger than an 17 or 18. Maybe even stagger them depending on size of rims you are going to stagger and the stance of the car.
I have always been a big fan of these and I would definately get them powder coated. I love chrome but if my car didnt have enough chrome to compliment the rims then its a no go.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...l_ci3_l-1-.jpg
These would be my second choice, also powder coated for the reasons stated above.
http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Cragar-Polish...rJw~~60_12.JPG
As you can tell I just love the 5 spoke look on these type of cars. To me it screams class! Of and like you Im not concerned about keeping my car "correct" and I would go no bigger than an 17 or 18. Maybe even stagger them depending on size of rims you are going to stagger and the stance of the car.
January 24th, 2012, 12:36 AM
#45
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: USA
Posts: 2,202
17" is the perfect size, and I'd stay with that myself.
I think going bigger then 18" requires the right look, and 95% of what I've seen isn't my flavor.
So yes, I think your Olds stands out MORE with the aftermarket larger rims.
I think your answers will vary by age bracket though......
January 24th, 2012, 12:25 PM
#47
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Chi-town
Posts: 4,520
I tend not to like large rims on old cars but some just look great, bit I do think anything up to 17s will do just fine on a classic. 17s are a great compromise of up-sizing without looking too modern.
My thoughts are
keep the bent rims in the back or repair them to save the money - I've driven race cars with minor bent rims in the back and you can't tell, on a cruiser as long as they are safe you probably couldn't tell, if you can tell then they aren't safe
If you are going to change rims then stick with 17s so you can keep the tires, I like the Cragers as well.
My thoughts are
keep the bent rims in the back or repair them to save the money - I've driven race cars with minor bent rims in the back and you can't tell, on a cruiser as long as they are safe you probably couldn't tell, if you can tell then they aren't safe
If you are going to change rims then stick with 17s so you can keep the tires, I like the Cragers as well.
January 24th, 2012, 02:14 PM
#49
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 471
I tend not to like large rims on old cars but some just look great, bit I do think anything up to 17s will do just fine on a classic. 17s are a great compromise of up-sizing without looking too modern.
My thoughts are
keep the bent rims in the back or repair them to save the money - I've driven race cars with minor bent rims in the back and you can't tell, on a cruiser as long as they are safe you probably couldn't tell, if you can tell then they aren't safe
If you are going to change rims then stick with 17s so you can keep the tires, I like the Cragers as well.
My thoughts are
keep the bent rims in the back or repair them to save the money - I've driven race cars with minor bent rims in the back and you can't tell, on a cruiser as long as they are safe you probably couldn't tell, if you can tell then they aren't safe
If you are going to change rims then stick with 17s so you can keep the tires, I like the Cragers as well.
Pretty much decided I'm gonna stay with 17" rims, but change to something a little more "classic" style... that way I'll have the best of both worlds!
January 24th, 2012, 03:55 PM
#50
car guy
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Dallas TX
Posts: 5,660
Big cars need bigger wheels. If it was mine it would be dropped and have 20 x 8 front and 20 x 10 rear in a traditional style 5 spoke. The 212s are OK but way out dated. I had them on an wagon I had 10 years ago at the height of thier popularity. There is so much better to select from now.
January 25th, 2012, 08:22 AM
#51
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 471
I think we have a winner!
Last edited by Mak; February 22nd, 2012 at 10:14 AM.
January 25th, 2012, 11:44 AM
#52
Registered car nut
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Puyallup
Posts: 1,146
January 25th, 2012, 04:47 PM
#53
January 25th, 2012, 05:56 PM
#54
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 471
And yes, Photoshop is a great tool!
January 26th, 2012, 07:03 PM
#57
January 27th, 2012, 05:36 AM
#59
Lansing built
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Grand Ledge, MI
Posts: 3,235
January 29th, 2012, 08:22 PM
#62
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 471
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.
)I definitely want the same size tires all the way around, so I can rotate them.
So... if I go with 15x8 rims, what size tires will work without rubbing up front?
Last edited by Mak; February 22nd, 2012 at 10:14 AM.
February 1st, 2012, 11:52 PM
#65
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 471
Okay, I know I've gone back & forth... but this is it!
I'm ditchin' the 17's and goin' with 15x8 Cragar chrome smoothies w/ 245/60R15 BFG Radial T/A's (w/ RWL). The tires have almost exactly the same overall dimensions as the 245/45R17's I have now... so they should fit fine. I really like the look... cool, subtly aggressive- not too much (and they won't advertise my 4 wheel drum brakes, lol). Hoping to have them installed in the next couple weeks. Comments???
I'm ditchin' the 17's and goin' with 15x8 Cragar chrome smoothies w/ 245/60R15 BFG Radial T/A's (w/ RWL). The tires have almost exactly the same overall dimensions as the 245/45R17's I have now... so they should fit fine. I really like the look... cool, subtly aggressive- not too much (and they won't advertise my 4 wheel drum brakes, lol). Hoping to have them installed in the next couple weeks. Comments???
Last edited by Mak; February 2nd, 2012 at 06:46 AM.
February 2nd, 2012, 06:52 AM
#69
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 471
February 2nd, 2012, 08:42 AM
#70
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: West Valley City Utah.
Posts: 372
February 2nd, 2012, 10:10 AM
#73
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Cazenovia, NY
Posts: 206
I would suggest the Cragar S/S wheels. They are a classic look that will never go out of style. I would go with 15 or 16 inch, in my opinion 17 may be a little big. I love the look of the 8 in. wide tire in the back, I would go with 15x8 in the back and 15x7 in the front. They will also continue the nice chrome look you have going. Just my opinion
February 2nd, 2012, 10:40 AM
#74
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: West Valley City Utah.
Posts: 372
One suggestion....
If you have the RWL on the rears.. (like the one pictured)
make sure that the front's also have the RWL (unlike mine)
it makes a weird mis match.. (like the one pictured)
If you have the RWL on the rears.. (like the one pictured)
make sure that the front's also have the RWL (unlike mine)
it makes a weird mis match.. (like the one pictured)
February 2nd, 2012, 01:21 PM
#76
Ben
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Snohomish, WA
Posts: 1,827
I vote for original cragars (i'm biased especially since you posted a pic of my 68 delmont w/ em)
2nd choice would be AR Torque thrust D-s with the grey painted centers. Would look sharp.
3rd choice would be the Cragar Eliminators... i also really dig those.
2nd choice would be AR Torque thrust D-s with the grey painted centers. Would look sharp.
3rd choice would be the Cragar Eliminators... i also really dig those.
February 2nd, 2012, 05:00 PM
#77
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 471
http://www.rimsntires.com/specs.jsp
Factoring in the new rim offset, it looks like the 255's would be about 3/4" taller and stick out about 1/2" further than what I have now (the 245's would about the same). It looks like there's plenty of room to me... but I'm a little nervous about ordering the wider tires.
Last edited by Mak; February 22nd, 2012 at 10:16 AM.
February 2nd, 2012, 06:18 PM
#78
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
1. Stick with the size you KNOW will work.
2. See if a local tire shop has any used 255's lying around you could put on a spare wheel to check for clearances. Never know - they might have, and might be willing to do this if it means a for sure sale on more expensive rubber. You could also check with Richard (gearheads78). He knows a lot about wheel clearances on these old boats
I know you really like the new 'moon' smoothies. I guess I was really used to the cragar spokes you had on the car. I really really liked them. I mean A LOT. Either way though, it's your ride and you have to be happy with it. Did you photoshop it with RWL inside to see what it would look like?
February 2nd, 2012, 09:41 PM
#79
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 471
Yup! That would be the case. 2 things you could do.
1. Stick with the size you KNOW will work.
2. See if a local tire shop has any used 255's lying around you could put on a spare wheel to check for clearances. Never know - they might have, and might be willing to do this if it means a for sure sale on more expensive rubber. You could also check with Richard (gearheads78). He knows a lot about wheel clearances on these old boats
I know you really like the new 'moon' smoothies. I guess I was really used to the cragar spokes you had on the car. I really really liked them. I mean A LOT. Either way though, it's your ride and you have to be happy with it. Did you photoshop it with RWL inside to see what it would look like?
1. Stick with the size you KNOW will work.
2. See if a local tire shop has any used 255's lying around you could put on a spare wheel to check for clearances. Never know - they might have, and might be willing to do this if it means a for sure sale on more expensive rubber. You could also check with Richard (gearheads78). He knows a lot about wheel clearances on these old boats
I know you really like the new 'moon' smoothies. I guess I was really used to the cragar spokes you had on the car. I really really liked them. I mean A LOT. Either way though, it's your ride and you have to be happy with it. Did you photoshop it with RWL inside to see what it would look like?
I really like the contrast of the smooth wheels & the RWL's.
The Cragar SS's would look good, too... but the Delta 88's not a muscle car, after all... I think the clean, understated set-up is gonna fit the style I'm goin' for well.
Hopefully Gearheads will chime in with some insight on tire clearance... from eyeballing it, it sure looks like there'd be plenty of clearance for the 255's... but I'm ordering the tires & wheels online (hopefully next week)... so it would be a real bummer if I was wrong!
Last edited by Mak; February 22nd, 2012 at 10:16 AM.
February 2nd, 2012, 09:53 PM
#80
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 471
Thanks... I think it's gonna look nice and clean!
I'm trying to decide between 245/255's. Any insight on clearance up front? Looks like the 245/60R15 are almost exactly the same size as the 245/45R17's on the car now... so they should be fine. I'd like to go with 255/60R15's... and it looks like they'd fit easily to me. Any idea?
I'm trying to decide between 245/255's. Any insight on clearance up front? Looks like the 245/60R15 are almost exactly the same size as the 245/45R17's on the car now... so they should be fine. I'd like to go with 255/60R15's... and it looks like they'd fit easily to me. Any idea?
