charlierogers

newb question......... what is the difference in the ssII 15x7 bolt in center cap wheel and the snap in center cap?

67442nut

If a picture's worth 1,000 words, here are 2,000 words.

!5" x 7" snap-on wheel:
DSCN3498.jpg

15" x 7" bolt-on wheel:
DSCN3496.jpg

charlierogers

so it looks like there is not much of a difference besides the area around the hub. i have to suspect they do not look much diff, on the car when centers are on{is this correct}. now why do people prefer the bolt on center wheels over snap on center wheels?

2blu442

The bolt on sits a little deeper, I like the appearance more. I've also found that the spring on the snap on cap can wear into the wheel as the spring must be harder metal. Many years ago I had a 1976 442. I remember the first time I drove under an overpass with the windows down I heard this bizzare noise and pulled over to see what was going on. The snap on caps were so loose that they wobbled at slow speeds making a clinkity clinkity clinkity sound! John

Kyle's 77 Cutlass

Are these rims worth any thing, I will have a spare set when I am done my restoration. Or is it a good idea to hang on to them

stevengerard

yes, to someone just learning the difference they do look a like especially on the car but for us nuts who really really like the bolt on look it gets pretty obvious. I also like knowing the center cap is secure, from road bumps to fast fingered freddie - pretty difficult to steal a bolt on center cap.

442much

From my point of view I prefer the snap on. The ones I have are original and have never fallen off or made noise. The bolt on just seem to me to be additional effort without a big difference in looks (except that I prefer 15" wheels over 14" and most bolt ons are 14"). JMO

15" SSII with snap on

DSC_3597.jpg

67442nut

2,000 more words.

Snap-on center on the left, bolt-on center on the right.

I prefer the larger bolt-on center.

DSCN3499.jpg

DSCN3500.jpg

67442nut

The bolt-on-center wheels sell for considerably more money than the snap-on.
This is true for the 14" as well as the 15".

Kyle's 77 Cutlass

now that is dedication to the site, still on the post, finds the caps, takes photo with caps and post in the back. Thumbs up

kpl70sx

I think one of the main considerations with this decision is originality. The 14" bolt-ons are correct through (74-75?). The 15" bolt-ons were only available for one year - 75?. After that, no more bolt-ons in either size. So a lot of guys, myself included, like the 15" bolt-ons because they look correct for the earlier cars but also have the added benefit of allowing bigger tires and improved handling. Having said that, both of my Cutlasses use the correct 14x7 bolt-ons, but I used the 15x7 bolt-ons on my Vista Cruiser. I really liked them on the Vista because they helped fill up the wheel wells and they looked more appropriate on such a big car.

The snap on center type wheels are pretty common, easy to find, and thus are relatively inexpensive. But as mentioned previously, the caps are also easy to steal.

joe_padavano

I'm not worried about the caps coming off, but to me the snap-on centers just don't look right on a 68-72 car.

67442nut

Thanks for the good words, but, you give me too much credit.
I just happened to know exactly where the centers were in my basement.
It just took me a few minutes to photo them and put them on Photobucket.
I'm a firm believer in "a picture is worth a 1,000 words" rather than trying to describe something.
You can't beat seeing something first hand.
Frequently, I've wished someone would post a pic of something they were trying to describe.
It's sort of a "Do unto others..........." thing.
Plus, I really enjoy taking pictures.

I think the 14" bolt-ons ended in '72, but, not sure.
The 15" bolt-ons I have (the one in the pic) were originally on a '74 4-4-2 I junked a several years ago.

Ditto.
I'm using mine on a '69 Cutlass (4-4-2 clone), my daughter's first car, for the same reasons,
they look original and they fill out the big wheel openings much better than the 14".
The only noticeable difference is the different style beauty ring.

stevengerard

Which brings up the question which is the correct beauty ring for a 15" Rim, I see a lot of variations out there and have two styles in my garage myself, sold love to know which is correct.