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I've been trying to find the right wheel/tire combo for my 64 Olds 98 CSC project. I'm going for an old-school 60's muscle car look. I'm not a fan of the modern 18-20" wheels-with-low-profile-tires look, or steelies with hubcaps. I've narrowed it down to two choices:
1. 15x7 Olds steel wheels painted white to match the white roof of the car. Wearing dog dish caps and fat outside white letter tires.
This kind of look with Olds caps (that I have already found)
2. 15x8 Chevy Truck Rally wheels. Painted white to match the roof with Olds lucite caps on the center hubs. Wearing fat tires. I like the "Corvette Rally" look on GM muscle cars. Only trouble is bolt spacing. The Chevy ones are 5x4.75 compared to the Olds 5x5. Yes, I know that I can get brand new Corvette Rally's in 5x5 from Wheel Vintiques, but they ain't cheep. Chevy truck rally wheels have the right bolt spacing, right width, right backspacing, and are plentiful.
Like this...
As a reminder, here's the way the car currently looks with it's skinny 225 white walls and early 70's hubcaps
Being stuck on stock, I might stay with stock but paint the wheels black or red. The white wheel makes it look like a double whitewall. Wheels are reversible, do what makes you smile when you look at it
Being stuck on stock, I might stay with stock but paint the wheels black or red. The white wheel makes it look like a double whitewall. Wheels are reversible, do what makes you smile when you look at it
yes, I do like stock appearing as well. If I paint the wheels white, I would not be running a white wall tire. It would be a set of Cooper cobra muscle car tires.
I have a set of 63-64 "dog dish" hubcaps.
They will fit 73 thru 86 Chevy or GMC half ton standard 15 " wheels.
Not perfect, but all are presentable.
Three of them need paint.
If interested PM me.
Charlie
Last edited by Charlie Jones; Mar 14, 2025 at 08:59 AM.
It would have come with 14", but it currently has 15" on it
I think that big car needs more of a luxury look than a muscle car look. How about a set of wire wheel hubcaps like the Toronados and Rivieras used in the late 70s early 80's Like the ones on my Wife's car.
That IS a pretty car! However, I am looking for the muscle car look rather than luxury. Especially because my Ninety Eight is the 2 door Custom Sport Coupe.
I have never thought lettered tires look good on a 98. Maybe it is just me but 98's were never muscle cars. Your car and you should do what you like.
Yeah...they aren't for everyone. Some guys like them...others don't. I like the look on a big car. Here's a few examples of big cars with white letter tires...
And a few later Oldsmobiles
Agree with Glenn -- your car, your choice. I never understand why people want to poll the membership for advice on what is ultimately a personal decision. Most often, they do what they were going to do anyway, regardless of consensus opinion.
That said, I'll play: my vote is for factory-style wire caps with narrow whitewall. '60s luxo-barge vibe.
Agree with Glenn -- your car, your choice. I never understand why people want to poll the membership for advice on what is ultimately a personal decision. Most often, they do what they were going to do anyway, regardless of consensus opinion.
That said, I'll play: my vote is for factory-style wire caps with narrow whitewall. '60s luxo-barge vibe.
Very true! It is a topic that I will decide on, but I like to throw an idea out there and hear what other guys think. Not looking to stir up trouble, just trying to generate conversation about cars...like we are doing now!
Thanks for playing along! Another vote for luxury!
I have it in my head that the center hole in the later truck rims is too small for the older stuff. I could be wrong, but worth verifying before buying if you go that route.
I have it in my head that the center hole in the later truck rims is too small for the older stuff. I could be wrong, but worth verifying before buying if you go that route.
Got the tires mounted and finished today. I went with my original plan, and I'm thrilled with the look.
Found a set of really clean 15x8 Chevy truck rally wheels. Took them to a local guy who does top notch power coating. He sandblasted them to bare, then baked them, then applied a zinc primer coat, then baked them, followed by a coat of gloss white and another cook in the oven.
Here's the finished wheels...
Order up a set of Cooper Cobra GT tires in 255 70R 15 and kept my fingers crossed that they would fit!
took a bit of work, but managed to get those monsters hung on the hubs. Had to do a bit of "safety grinding" on the inside of the rear wheel well skirts.
The front tires clear the fenders and all the components in the wheel wells.
I got a set of lucite-style Oldsmobile center caps for the Chevy caps, and I think they look slick.
And here is the finished product! I love the look of the fat tires and how the white wheels match the white roof.
initially, I thought so as well… and I do have a brand new set. But, I kinda like the white glossy wheels right now.
Once I put the trim rings on, it will likely scratch up the powder coating, so I won't be able to take them off
Looks great! Do the 255s rub on the front at all? I was thinking of going that size on my '65 Dynamic 88.
Nope! No rubbing at all with the 15x8 wheels and fat tires. They are about 3/4" from the bottom point of the front wheel well, but no touchie. And I thoroughly tested them...turned the wheel to the closest point, and then bounced the suspension.
Had to grind the inner trim on the rear wheel skirts, but they fit too.
Like the ones on my Wife's car. 
