Can't make up my mind which SS wheel to use on my 69 Cutlass Convertible. Currently, I have 68 style SSII (no chrome inserts). I also have the original 14x 5.5? rims with wire spoke hubcaps, and a fresh set 14x7 SSII with bolt on caps.

I really like the look of 68 wheel, but tire choice for old school RWL tires bites. The 14x7's being deeper I think hide the beauty of the SS rally wheel. Hubcaps, meh. 15" with snap on caps look good. 15" chrome snap on caps even better. Cheap me can't pull the trigger on 15" with bolt on caps, but those might be my favorite, especially the 69 H/O version.

What are you all running or thinking? Show me the pics!

This is my car now. 14x6


I have these in my garage 14x7


standard 15x7


These look pretty sweet 15x7 chrome

 

There's also SSI's to consider, and "Poverties"/"Dog Dishes" on steel wheels.

 

For me anything in a 14" wheel is not acceptable because of limited tire choices. I like a 15x7 or 15x8 wheel.

 

Could run the 14x7’s and change it up by switching the trim rings for the original hubcaps.

 

Those chrome/gold wheels look like what my 87 442 had. I bought 2 new rims from the Buick dealer I worked at (I think they cost 65 each at the time) and a pair of matching 15x8 from Wheel Vintage (I think).

I know it’s not technically correct, but the 15 inch Olds wheel with the snap on center cap looks great in my opinion. I had a set on my car years ago. I had Stockton Wheel make a pair in 15x10, stock 15x7 in front. I bought a pair of deep chrome trim rings to kinda hide the deep offset. It looked great from the rear, looking at the side you could tell something was different, but it wasn’t immediately noticeable the rim was wider.

I personally think Olds had one of the best looking factory wheel.

 

I have to agree. The SS1/Magnum 500 style wheel was used by Chevy, Buick, Ford and Dodge. The SSII/SSIII wheel is exclusively Oldsmobile. I run snap on cap 15x7 with 245 60 15 tires all around. I know the beauty rings are incorrect and the color is too light, but they match my frame and suspension.

 

I also think that the Olds SS2 & SS3s were some of the nicest looking factory wheels. When I bought my '68 it had the factory 14x6 SS2s. Before I even got the car I went looking for 15" wheels because of the limited sizes left for 14" tires. I lucked out and got the last of the 15" SS3 wheels that Wheel Vintiques( it was right when Coker was buying them ) used to carry that came with the argent painted centers like the '69 H/O wheels. It's a shame they discontinued them!! They gave us lots of choices. You could get 15x7,8 or 10 widths plus they had them available with gold paint like the 80's 442s & the chrome with the black accent like the 80s Cutlasses & Deltas. I bought 15X7s for the front & 15x8s for the rear.

 

That is one of the best W-36 stripes for color contrast I have seen.

 

I wholeheartedly agree !

Yes they do, My 87 442 came with them. The best of the lot in my opinion.

 

Looks very sharp Rob.

 

You can purchase 14" Radial T/A's from Tire Rack, Discount Tire, Etc. They're available and not too expensive. Don't think you have to go to Coker just to find 14" tires. I suspect Cooper makes a 14" RWL tire also but haven't ever verified that. I have a set of '69 SSII's (14x6) and run 245/60's. I'm not sure I'd waste the money on a set of 15" wheels and tires that look almost exactly the same as the 14's I already had but it's up to you.

Having said that, I will add that these cars really need 15" wheels - especially with the shorter sidewall height of radial tires. 14's tend to look too small and change the look of the cars. I have a set of 15x8 Wheel Vintiques on order and will be replacing the above mentioned 14x6 SSII's once they're off back-order (~6 months!).

 

From the Wheels and Tires sticky:

 

I just switched to 15's. The 15" SS3 wheels allow for large enough tires to fill the wheel wells nicely