Dear all,

I bought a set of old U.S.Mags Indy in 8.5x15 (5x5 bolt pattern) and put them in my car, a 1966 Olds Starfire (see pic attached). Tires are 235/60R15.

Since I live in Germany, I need spec or advertising documents from between 1966 to 1975 in order to get them legalized for my car. I already searched the web but did not find anything. Also asked already U.S.Mags customer support but they cannot help (seems a bit they only want to sell new rims).

Question: does anyone have old brochures from that time slot, which might give some details on max. Load or even better on usage for my car (or similar as gm b-body full size).

I totally appreciate any help!

 

I doubt the specs have changed.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/usm-u10115807340

 

👍 Was just about to post my comment when I saw this. We are thinking along the same lines.


Well just did a deep dive on this. Challenging to come across pertinent information to say the least.

With regards to the proper paperwork. Maybe you can try a company like Summit Racing Equipment that still sells the rim today, and also existed back then. Im figuring the issue is weight capacity. And whether or not the original rim has the same 1600 lb weight capacity as the current rim. If this helps Wheel Vintiques factory replacement steel rim for the 1966 Starfire has a 1500 lb capacity ...

I searched Germany and car modifications and understand how difficult things can be for car guys.

In anycase your Starfire looks great ! Love the stance, rake, and how the slots look on it.

Factory stance.


Vs your stance. Night and day difference what a slight lift to the rear and attractive wheels can do for a cars appearance.

What a car, what an engine, incredible Oldsmobile ! Best of luck getting this issue sorted out.

 

Hi @oldcutlass, thanks but unfortunately German authorities require documentation from the manufacturing year of the car plus max. 10 years (for my car 1966-1975). New documentation is not accepted by them.



@69CSHC , thanks mich for your feedback and investigation. Agree, also I didn't find anything. Ordered a vintage catalog from Ansen from 1971, they even have an applicationn list with full size Oldsmobiles listed.l for the sprint wheel which looks very similar. Unfortunately my rims are definitely u.s. mags and not Ansen.

And thanks much also for the nice feedback on the cars look. I am also very happy to have selected the rims and tires, they also give a nice ride feel...

So still, if anybody should have a catalogue at hand I'd be very happy for some photos or screenshots...

 

I’ll bet someone on the H.A.M.B. has the info, check there, you will have to join..
Good Luck

 

Unfortunately this information is not going to be readily available. About the best you will be able to do is to find a vintage U.S. Mags catalog from the late 1960s or early 70s. You might want to contact the guy who runs this website:

https://vintagewheelcatalogs.com/

 

Unless the wheels have a date stamp. just use the data for the wheel sold today.
I'd think you are allowed to install new wheels on an old car.

Also. Did they take issue with the wheels or are you assuming they will and want to have the paperwork handy jus in case?
I'd think this regulation would be more for wire type wheels and not thick/ heavy cast alloy wheels .
There is more meat in those wheels than todays oem stock wheels.

 

Thanks much for the hint, @dc2x4drvr .nIll check this option..

Also thanks much @joe_padavano . The site seems to be a great resource. I'll contact the guy and report back.

@CutlassMarc , currently it's only a fear, I need to renew my official tech check here in Germany in October. However the law here is that you get into trouble for your driver's license and get a serious penalty if you have wheels on the car which are not listed in its papers. Plus, the authorities which do the check every two years became extremely restrictive in the last 10 years. It is almost impossible to get vintage wheels legalized. So I hope that original screenshots from old catalogs may be accepted.

I already purchased on eBay and old catalog in PDF version, however it is the wrong brand (Ansen). I attach some screenshots, since these show tleven an application table where my car is listed for the Ansen sprint wheels. This would be perfect evidence, unfortunately my wheels are not Ansen but U.S.Mags.





On the next page, the wheels are listed in 8.5x15 (My size)

 

Are there any car clubs in your area? I'm sure you are not the first to run into this issue.

 

Honestly think you are over thinking this. If I was the inspector, I'd be more worried about the wheel lug nuts and studs, than a solid cast wheel .
I'd ask the local American car club. I think you'l find your fear is for not.

 

Steff, check your wheels carefully. I think they will have Ansen written on them on the back somewhere.
I believe Ansen produced them and then sold them to others who put “US Mag” on them.
I have a set that says “Shelby Cal 500” in the exact same welded bead font as yours say US Mag.

So maybe you can use your Ansen literature as verification?

 

Hi @CutlassMarc & @oldcutlass l, unfortunately in Germany the authorities are really shitty and picky. If you get stopped with a car where the wheels are not registered in the papers, you get a serious fine, lose the cars registration and get in trouble with your drivers license. I am member in an old car club, it happens even from time to time. So nobody takes the risk over here. I'd love to live in US, since you have much less restrictive rules than the micromanagers in our government give us over here.

Thanks much @joe_padavano . I checked with him, he is very kind. However, unfortunately he only has the screenshots he shared on the website which are not sufficient for me. I sent him my full Ansen 1971 catalog to support his collection.

Thanks, @dc2x4drvr, checking in a thread over there, first info was pointing to http://www.vintagewheelcatalogs.com. Will keep checking, if I find out something new, I'll share back here also...

​​​@Rallye469 , wow this is a great hint. I will check asap. Just will take 3 weeks since I'll go on vacation soon, and no chance to check my wheels before. I cleaned all four thoroughly and did not see an Ansen casting there, but I did not check the place you shared in your pic thoroughly. It would be super great if I'd find the casting there... I'll let you know in case I find it...

CU, Steffen

 

Even if that doesn’t work. I would find verification that Ansen probably did make the wheels for US mags

 

Hi @Rallye469 , many thanks again for the great hint! I checked all my four wheels but unfortunately I wasn't lucky. No Ansen casting there.






So if anybody should have a hint or source for additional information how I could prove genuine ansen, I would highly appreciate!

CU, Steffen

 

Steff I just examined all 4 photos, and unfortunately did not see Ansen on any.... But I did notice a # 2, and very clearly in 3rd pic you posted.

Bottom paragraph of screenshot below.


Maybe you can ask US Mags it's significance, and if that stamp came with a minimum weight capacity...

https://www.us-mags.com/

They have customer support if you scroll to bottom of page.

 

I thought I had seen and heard everything till this came up. Wow, just wow and I guess being able to run 200mph on the autobahn means safety first.

 

On a sidenote, you have an ungodly amount of weight for the balance of those wheels and tires.

 

As usual, this AI-generated crap is worse than useless.

 

Sorry Joe, I know Ai is hit or miss at least in these early stages of its existence. I was just trying to help.

 

Steff I think this may make your day.

This is from 1972.

Image #4 of 20 here. https://vintagewheelcatalogs.com/u-s-mag/

Hopefully some members here can chime in on this. "Meets SEMA 5.1 spec."



https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...c-5-1-rim.html



https://www.zdriver.com/forums/240z-...-mag-id-42162/

I think we are getting closer...

Hopefully this quote from Ai is accurate. "SEMA 5.1 is a standard for wheels, but it mainly focuses on parameters like wheel offset, backspacing, and load ratings,"

 

Hi all, first: WHAT AN AMAZING GROUP HERE! Thank you so much for all your contributions to my search. I love this forum and hope I also can give back some times...

@69CSHC , thanks for the idea, I also saw the stamped "2" already, just was too disappointed not having found the Ansen script to think further. It is a good thought, I will check with US Mags support again if they help me out. (I'm not too hopeful since I described earlier here that they answered my initial question for help on brochures quite fast, short and negative). But it would be wrong to not try again...


@66-3X2 442, fully agree with your comment, local authorities are crazy strict here in Germany. However, I can understand a bit since the Starfire is rated with a factory top speed of 210kph which is amazing for 1966, so things should be in good order...

@oldcutlass, agree with the crazy amount of weights, however the guy had already matched rims and tires best possible he said. When driving, there is no vibration so I believe the weights are needed. I had told him I don't want to see weights on the outside, of the rim, probably this made the job not easier for him...

@joe_padavano, agree the results of AI answers need to be verified carefully. However even if being doubtable, I will follow every single trace I can find, until successful.

@69CSHC, cool hint with sema compliance. I will follow it in the next days and report back. Somehow I overlooked the stamp on the screenshot. Thanks much for having pointed me towards it!

I'll keep pushing, thanks again a lot for all your great contributions!
Steffen

 

Hi all,

I was silent for some time since I had to go to my local authorities this month in order to try to get the wheels legalized. I used the Ansen catalogue as evidence (see screenshots above). The guy said, "old" rims from the time of vehicle production (plus max. 10 years later) are acceptable if evidence is given that the rims are from that time. New rims are impossible to legalize since then I would need to bring some test results which would involve breaking some rims.

And finally the good news: Yesterday, I got my wheels approved by the authorities, they are registered now in my car's official registration documents.

Thanks very much to all of you for your help and contributions! Now I can cruise around Europe without any risk of getting into trouble

Absolutely great forum here and great Olds-mates. Huge thumbs up from me :-)

CU out there, Steffen

 

Glad it worked out.

 

Wow! Bureaucrats with common sense. What is this world coming to?

 

Great news, enjoy that superb Olds !