Are the 'Unistyle' SS1 rims produced by Motor Wheel Corp any different than normal SS1 rims typically found on GM cars? The set I'm looking at are 14 x 6 JK UNISTYLE 795C. I have a couple others that are 14 x6 JK 795. Maybe just same basic wheel intended for different application? Thanks.

 

What year of application for the SSI wheel are you looking for? As far as I know, the 14X6 SSI wheel was used starting in the 1966 model year through the 1969 model year. The rims were chrome as were the centers but then the centers was lightly blasted so the black paint would stick to the surfaces painted in the center part. There were two types of SSI wheels used during this period. The first SSI rims ('66 into the '69 model year) fit only drum brake cars and had no wheel code until the '69 model year when they were given the wheel code LE. Later in the '69 model year new SSI wheels were introduced (late March or early April 1969) that would also work with disc brake cars. These newer wheels were give the LY wheel code. I'm guessing that the "Unistyle" SSI rims produced by Motor Wheel Corporation would be the style that works for disc and drum brake cars like the latter LY wheels. The rims are slightly different in outward appearance between the LE and LY SSI wheels. It's almost as if the center of the LE wheel was turned around to create the LY wheel which also provided the clearance for the disc brake caliper.

Randy C.

 

Thanks for the info Randy. I'm looking for (2) SS1's for a 69 442. I have a couple 'LE' coded rims already and just trying to find a matching pair although don't care so much that the codes match. Car has drums in front so don't really need rims that work with discs. I recently acquired a set of 14 x 6 833C rims with the 3 in offset that would have looked nice but unfortunately, somebody wallowed out the lug holes. In looking at the inside of the UNISTYLE rims, they look the same as my LE rims which is ok...I was just trying to be sure there weren't other differences that I didn't know about that would make them not work on the 69. Thanks again.

 

ONLY Oldsmobile used Super Stock I wheels (none factory on Buick, Chevrolet or Pontiac)
Motor Wheel Corp. sold them over-the-counter under the "MAGNUM 500" name
SSIs have satin chrome spokes & MAGNUM 500s have bright chrome spokes

 

How can you tell the year of the Olds SS1 rims...
Mine have LZ stamped by the valve stem and there are numbers too... (see pics)





14 x 7 JJ

Can someone decode this?

 

The M 4 has to do with the wheel manufacturer and the 2 below it means this particular wheel was manufactured in 1972. The 2 * 18 is the date in 1972, February (2) 18th. LZ is the wheel code which you should be able to find in the 1972 "A" body product information manual, aka assembly manual.

Randy C.

 

Thanks Randy... Do you know if there is a difference between the 70 wheels and the 72... (SS1s) Other than the stamp?

 

I don't know but I'm sure others do. My knowledge area is more in the 68-69 range.

Randy C.