I am toying with the idea of fitting 15 inch wire wheels and am seeking guidance from the knowledgeable masses on CO

I need to move to 15" wheels to restore the rolling diameter of the original tyres. ( 9.50 x 14 )
The new 14" radials I have fitted are as big as I can find and are 200mm (8 inches) shorter in the rolling diameter, causing untold grief.

Scott

 

I had Kelsey Hayes wire wheels (14 inch) on a 1964 Thunderbird Convertible. They looked great on that car when they were clean and sparkling, but that was the problem. They were a bitch to keep clean. And that was on a trailered show car.

 

I'm not a fan of wire wheels because as mentioned a bitch to clean. They also have a tendency of being hard to balance.

 

They were on my shopping list back when I owned a 64 Tbird as well!
Cleaning and balancing seem to be common issues

 

my old 64

 

Hi Scott,


http://www.antiquetyres.com.au


might help.

 

They have 215/70/14 (Just checked my tyres-they are 215/75/14). They may have other tyres in stock.


They have wire wheels also.

 

Cheers for that John !!
I will give them a buzz.

 

Hi Scott,


How did you go, did you find the wheels you were looking for?

 

I would think 215-70 -14's would still be on the small side. I also thought about chrome wire wheels, I think they look bitchin but then the bitch comes home you gotta clean each and every spoke. I re thought my desires and stuck to stock....Tedd

 

These are what came with the car when I purchased.
I'll do some research and see what they came out from factory with and consider them for next time.


I may even go a bigger profile as I agree they do look a little like cheese cutters on the big old girl.

 

Looks like ive found a set of 15' 72 spoke wires , putting on 225 775 15 returns the rolling diameter to within 10mm of the stock 9.50 x 14's

 

Nice. The're not hard to clean, just time consuming..

I use a thick bit of lambswool, gets around behind the spokes. Spray them after with a light mist of RP7, WD40 or Lanoline etc, doesn't harm the chrome, keeps road grime from sticking (easier to clean) and prevents rust. Chrome quality makes a big difference to how they will look in 10yrs..
My Delta rolls on 20" 200 spoke rims, 245 35 20 tyres. They're a bit smaller than stock, like dropping in a lower ratio rear end.

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are they Knock on wires?

 

Properly polished wire wheels are hard to beat for looks imo.
But they are heavier than standard wheels, which adversely affects handling and ride quality, not enough to make it a no-no for cruising though.
As has been mentioned balancing is tricky, and you should fit tube type tyres as you will need tubes. Fixing loose spokes might need expert attention as well.
But it's your car and your choice, if you don't mind the downside and want great looking wheels, enjoy!.


Roger.

 

Yep they're knockons Lazy. Adapter boss bolts up to the existing stud pattern, there are extra holes for many different patterns/makes. Teeth on the inside of the wheel engage with teeth on the boss. The spin on nut holds it all together, L/H and R/H thread for each sides of the car, so they dont unwind.

Although they look cool, I doubt the teeth/boss mounting idea would be able to handle too much 455ci torque, so no circle work for these, just sweet cruisin'..

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P101301_20-10-14_zps724f2449.jpg

 

They do look awesome! I don't have your excess hp problem though