budg

When I purchase my 72 cutlass last October it came with some of the parts that were changed out during the restoration. Of those parts were the factory sslll wheels. Of the upgrades were drum brakes in front changed to disc. Another was factory 14 tires changed to 15 with new American racing rims .

I really like the look of the factory sslll wheels ,but don't know if I wanted to go back to 14s. So I took out the factory rims for the first time . I knew the chrome trim rings were missing , but the center caps are pretty pitted , do those would be replaced. I took off the front tire to make sure the rim would fit over the rotor, no problem there. Then I noticed the color was off a bit.

So now it is obvious they need painted to match the car as well. I just wonder if it's worth all that effort and money to go back to 14 inch tires or are there better options out there. What do you guys think?

oldcutlass

If it were me I would look for a set of 15x7's if your going to start from scratch.

RetroRanger

ditto the more common 15-7 ss3 looks like your 14s only in a size that gives you more tire options.

i have a set on my car w 255-60-15s all the way around

Jamesbo

FWIW

The 15" snap on center wheels are a whole lot less $$$ that the rare[one year only] 15" bolt on center wheels

budg

Good advice guys. A gent on CL has some 15x7s with everything for 200 for all 4 . I might check them out. Plan B was SSls , but they dont really do it for me personally. I do like the rims that are on it now , but nothing beats the look of the SSllls IMO.

Allan R

The wheel in your picture was painted by a PO so it's likely not the right color to start with. These wheels from the factory were black inside and back. There might have been some overspray through the bezel holes but not much. I bead blasted and hand sanded mine with several grades of abrasive before priming and painting. If $ isn't too big a deal, you might want to pick a color of choice and have them powder coated for durability. Depends on your wants I guess.

zeeke

14" rubber is getting harder to get. My tire supplier told me he could get me BFGoodrich but it would take a while. Here is a shot of my 71 Cutlass with my old 15" snap on cap wheels and 245 tires. The rear is up a little high but it still looks better than the 14"s. I'm in the process of blasting them to prep for viking blue paint and new BFGoodrich 245's. That's what I'm go with.

budg

Interesting info on the wheel color. I think 15x7s are what I am looking for. Right now I have 235/60/15s all the way around and I like that setup. By time I soak the money into the 14s it would be cheaper to buy the 15s , have them painted and have what I'm looking for. Like I said in my first post, I really don't want to go back to 14s . Also I can sell the 14s to help offset the cost .

Mr Shifty Sidney

The SSIs were reproduced and will not break the bank. They are available in 15 X 7. Check with Summit, that is where i got mine a few years ago.

Don W

Mr Shifty Sidney

Here they are from Jegs.

www.jegs.com/i/Wheel-Vintiques/939/52-5734438/10002/-1?CAWELAID=230006180000510098&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=4 4693592161&CATCI=pla-190774228871&CATARGETID=230006180039217320&cadevic e=c&gclid=CICs-oyy39QCFYuLaQodORcI2A[/url]

Don W

RetroRanger

LOLz i have a bunch (14s) i havent been able to give away for at least a year..... if you sell yours ill give you mine

i had several really nice original ones w trim rings and decent bolt on caps i could barely sell

budg

Hmm. I guess wishful thinking on my part . It's probably why they came with the car. I bet if I say "free" people will come out of the woodwork .

RetroRanger

Maybe if you pay shipping you can give them away for free here's my ad from 2014

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...-cap-rims.html

budg

Geez. Tough crowd. I know if I set them out at trash night the junk man will scarf them up pretty quickly.

Fun71

Hey, if you can't sell them, then put them to use.

I bolted the set of 14" SSIII wheels (+1 extra) that I took off the car onto the three spare rearends in the back yard so I can move them around easily.

I have always wanted to make a garden hose reel out of an SS wheel.

RetroRanger

i have a nice original 14 bolt on cap in my garage it holds the pressure washer hose, airhose a couple extension cords and looks good doing it!

Texas442

You probably already know this, but I believe that the 14" snap-on wheels shown in your picture are 6" not 7" wide, from the late 70's G-body. This will limit the tire width available.

Jamesbo

X 2

I did the same thing with a old one that had enough lead in it to make a cannon ball

oldcutlass

I sold a set of 4 14x6 wheels with rings and caps back in 2010 for $200 with decent tires on them.

Allan R

No, the G Body center clip on rims are also 7" wide. I have them on my 72 right now. They have 225/70/14's that fit easily. They could go to a larger 235 if I wanted. I just restored a set of 14" SSII's and I measured them before the tires went on. They also are 7". I'm staying with stock sizes and looks as close as possible.

You mean an original wheel with bolt on cap, right? A bolt on cap won't hold anything on its own

RetroRanger

ive got some of each 14-6 snap on and 14x7 snap on cap as well as 14-7 bolt on cap.

not sure where the 14-6 snap on cap ones came from?