My friend ordered a set of 14" SSI vintiques to replace the original steel wheels on his one owner 66 dynamic convertable. The bolt patterns are not the same. The original wheel, per tire store, is a 5" diameter measurement and the new ssi is like 4 3/4 in. Anybody know a fix, other than adapter plate?

 

Adapter plates are not a good idea. He would be better off using aftermarket wheels of the correct size or factory road wheels used on the larger GM cars up to 1996. I have these on my 63 which has the same bolt pattern.

 

Yeah, be an informed buyer.

Sorry, but your friend should have done homework before ordering anything. Olds full size cars used the 5x5" bolt pattern exclusively (except on the 1064-66 Jetstar 88) through the 1976 model year. The 1977-up cars used the large pattern on the cars with HD brakes also. There are lots of 5x5" wheels available, however not the SSI or SSII/III wheels. Olds used the large bolt pattern on these heavy cars for a reason. It is not wise to modify the hubs or use an adapter to go smaller just to fit the wrong wheels.

Frankly, if one is buying new wheels, why waste money on 14" wheels anyway? I got Torque Thrust Originals for my 67 Delta. 15x7" front with 235/70-15s and 15x8.5" rear with 275/60-15s. They fill the wheel wells very nicely.