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From the factory, no SSIs were 15" - totally different style from the SSIIs and SSIIIs. All SSIIs had bolt on caps through 1974, all were snap on after that. 1974 was the only year for a 15" bolt in center SSII. The stainless bezel trim was the same through the '70s but sometime in the '80s another style appeared with more angular corners - much more squared than the softer rounder edges of the earlier bezels.
Originally Posted by David DeCan
In a 15 inch Olds Rally Wheel how do I identify if it is an SS1 or SS2 etc.
In looking at a picture which Rally wheels have bolt on center caps and which have clip in caps?
How about size of trim rings? A 15x7 stock SS wheel takes what size of trim ring?
Is there anything special about the lugs?
Are the chrome "window" trims all the same for the different wheels?
I am trying to buy a set of these 15x7 for a driver car. Does not need to be "perfectly" correct. It should have 15x7 Olds Rallys though.
If anyone knows where I can get a reasonably priced set of these a contact would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Terry
Last edited by vette442; February 5th, 2016 at 10:49 AM.
1975 and later SSII/SSIII. What year and model are you putting them on? I'll say that those will cost a lot less and be much easier to find than the 1974-only ones with bolt on caps that are in the same style as the 68-72 rims.
Terry
Last edited by vette442; February 5th, 2016 at 11:01 AM.
Those are 15x7 SSII/III wheels from 1975-up. The snap-in centers were first used in the 1975 model year. The only difference between SSII and SSIII wheels is the paint color. SSII wheels were argent (silver). SSIII wheels were painted lower body color.
My car is a 70 Cutlass Convertible. I am doing a W-30 Clone so originality are not that critical to me. Do want to put Olds Rallys on it--definitely want 15 inch.
Are the snap in centers secure--as in they don't fall without provocation?
Same general look except for center cap. Since we corresponded last I have acquired another set of 15" x 7" SS II wheels, call if interested? The snap on caps, when in good condition, will not just fall off, you have to gently pry them off the wheels.
Scott
c. 317-727-7041
Are the 75 and up SSI and SSII a different looking rim than the 68-72?
As previously stated, there were no '75-up SSI wheels.
The "early" '68-'74 SSII/SSIII with bolt in center caps look almost identical to the "late" '75-'77 SSIII wheels. There is a very minor difference in the lug bolt area and where the caps attach, but it is not really noticeable unless you look at the wheels side by side.
Below are pictures of the 14x7s that were on my car for years and the 15x7s that I restored and put on in 2014.
Left: 14x7 SSIII bolt-in center caps, 245-60-14 tires..Right: 15x7 SSIII snap-in center caps, 245-60-15 tires
Are the snap in centers secure--as in they don't fall without provocation?
Yes, they are secure and actually take a bit of force to remove, as long as the tabs are adjusted correctly. There are 5 metal tabs that hold the wheels in. If they caps are loose, the tabs can be bent outward to tighten them up.
Last edited by Fun71; February 5th, 2016 at 10:19 PM.
Yes. It also illustrates that the 14" and 15" SSII/III wheels use the same center disk diameter, which is why the 15" versions don't provide much additional clearance for oversize disk brakes. Of course, both sizes clear the factory disks.
I think this can be confusing to many people. I think the style of wheel and cap style should be the only consideration, regardless of color or chrome. I know many might not agree with me but I consider any factory magnum 500 style wheel, the 60's chrome 14x6, the 70-72 14x7 all black with satin chrome spokes and stainless beauty ring, or the 71 only all chrome 14x7 as an SSI. I consider any 14x6, 14x7, or 15x7, even the 69 HO wheels, with the large bolt-on cap as an SSII regardless of color. I then consider any snap-on cap 14x6, 14x7, or 15x7 painted or chrome wheel to be an SSIII. I think this simplifies it even if it is not technically correct.
then consider any snap-on cap 14x6, 14x7, or 15x7 painted or chrome wheel to be an SSIII. I think this simplifies it even if it is not technically correct.
Not only is it not technically correct, it increases the confusion because it is wrong.
Language is the ability to communicate using mutually agreed terms to represent an item or idea. The Oldsmobile factory, who created the term "Super Stock" wheel, clearly intended for SSII to mean the argent wheels and SSIII to mean the body color wheels, not the center type.
Here is a page from the 1972 Oldsmobile Salesman's SPECS booklet. Note that RPO N66 is Super Stock II argent wheels and N67 is Super Stock III lower body color wheels. ALL 1972 SSII/III wheels used bolt-in centers.
I was looking for some help. By reading above, should I assume that since the SSII's came out in '74, that my '73 Omega has the SSI wheels? I do know they are original, not something the previous owner later installed, and they are 14" rim/tires.
I have an opportunity to purchase new center caps and wanted to know if the seller has a set that will work on my car. It sounds like as long as they are bolt on, not snap in, then they should work?
The seller says the part number is: 416393, I haven't yet had a chance to pull a tire to look at the part number on mine but the part sheet I have on the '73 Omega's says the following:
Hub cap 73-74 412682
Wheel Cover 14" 73 412662
So my question is which one is the center cap and would these 416393 parts be interchangeable?
I was looking for some help. By reading above, should I assume that since the SSII's came out in '74, that my '73 Omega has the SSI wheels? I do know they are original, not something the previous owner later installed, and they are 14" rim/tires.
I have an opportunity to purchase new center caps and wanted to know if the seller has a set that will work on my car. It sounds like as long as they are bolt on, not snap in, then they should work?
The seller says the part number is: 416393, I haven't yet had a chance to pull a tire to look at the part number on mine but the part sheet I have on the '73 Omega's says the following:
Hub cap 73-74 412682
Wheel Cover 14" 73 412662
So my question is which one is the center cap and would these 416393 parts be interchangeable?
Thanks in advance for assistance.
I'm afraid you're a little confused. The SSII/III style wheels came out in the 1968 model year in the 14x6 size. The 14x7s came out in the 1970 model year. The 15x7s were first available in the 1974 model year (ignoring the special wheels on the 1969 H/O), which is the reference above. The only difference between SSII and SSIII wheels is paint color. SSIIs are argent (silver-grey), SSIIIs are lower body color. The 1968-74 SSII/III wheels used bolt-in centers like yours. The 1975-up used snap-in centers. The part number you listed is for the snap-in center and will not fit your wheels.
You saved me the trouble of purchasing something that wouldn't fit, then having to re-sell!
I appreciate the help. (my wife also reminds me daily that I'm confused) So I have the 14 X 7 super stock III wheels, painted the same color as the body. Bolt on style.
I'm afraid you're a little confused. The SSII/III style wheels came out in the 1968 model year in the 14x6 size. The 14x7s came out in the 1970 model year. The 15x7s were first available in the 1974 model year (ignoring the special wheels on the 1969 H/O), which is the reference above. The only difference between SSII and SSIII wheels is paint color. SSIIs are argent (silver-grey), SSIIIs are lower body color. The 1968-74 SSII/III wheels used bolt-in centers like yours. The 1975-up used snap-in centers. The part number you listed is for the snap-in center and will not fit your wheels.
Joe Killer jpg. Can you add the early SS1 to this as well? Looks the same as the "71 only" but I believe its a 14x6" rim, which will not work with disc brakes.
Thanks again for all the help on this question. If anyone is looking for those '75 snap-on caps, they are still on Craigslist, $85 for a set of 4, they look brand new. The seller seems only interested in you driving to his house with cash, he didn't seem interested in shipping anything.
He also had these dealer plates for sale, all 6 for $40, but they are no longer available.
I looked again today, he dropped the price to $80
Last edited by 72hardtop; April 27th, 2016 at 02:20 PM.
February 5th, 2016, 10:13 AM
'73 Olds Omega SSI rims / center caps
