Wheels

[James R.]

I am looking for wheels/tires for my 58 project. The originals for my car are long gone. How accurate are the reproduction wheels that come from cc, paragon etc.? Will I receive a significant deduction if I use these? Will the fact that they are reproduction be hidden by the tire/hubcap and drum?
Thanks,
Jim

[Mike M.]

Re: Wheels

check out your local chevy used parts sources and ask for 56 chevy pass car wheels. they'll be 15 x 5 and they may or may not have the "dog bone" weld scars. last time i got 5 dog bones, they were $125/5. mike

[James R.]

Re: Wheels

Thank you Mike...I'll start looking today. As to my original question, will the reproductions be a probelm for judging purposes?
Jim

[Dan D.]

Re: Wheels

The repros are not very good. They would never pass judging. I bought 5 from CC last summer and sent them back. But they also have used car wheels, which I bought. You will probably have to call them, as they are not advertised, and they are not always available. I ones I got were in good shape as far and dents, rust, etc. But I paid $200, plus I had them hot tanked locally to get the old paint off, then blasted them and finally painted. So figure on about $1200 total. If you can do it cheaper, great. Let us all know. I don't know where Mike got his for $125, or how long ago. -Dan-

[James R.]

Re: Wheels

Thanks for the reply Dan. I put out a call to a boneyard in the San Antonio area. This guy has a huge inventory of vintage cars/parts. I'll probably spend some time out there with him this next week. I have seen wheels pop up on ebay, but, they all seem to go for well over $200 each.
Jim

[Dan D.]

Re: Wheels

Okay, good luck Jim. I don't know of any bone yards in central NY that have anything good any more. And with 3 feet of snow and single digit temps, your not goona go scrounging bone yards this time of year.

The guy at CC told me they used to pick these wheels up by the score at meets and shows for $4-5 each, then sell them for $50. But he also said that now there are none to be had. All gone. So good luck. Let us know how you make out. -Dan-

[James R.]

Re: Wheels

I'll let you know how my search goes. I can't imagine scrounging through a boneyard in New York would be too much fun right now! One of the nice things about San Antonio is that you can get out and about for this sort of thing all year long, although, it is a little chilly...in the 50's today
Jim

[Dan D.]

Re: Wheels

Chilly, 50s. Your breaking me all up Jim. We were near 0 last night, but has since warmed up to +23. -Dan-

[Roy B.]

Re: Wheels

I am looking for wheels/tires for my 58 project. The originals for my car are long gone. How accurate are the reproduction wheels that come from cc, paragon etc.? Will I receive a significant deduction if I use these? Will the fact that they are reproduction be hidden by the tire/hubcap and drum? the wheels NO judge can tell looking at back side.
Thanks,
Jim

Going to Chevy sights is a better buy 55 to 57 dates will be off hidden inside ,but design OK for wheels.

[Mike M.]

Re: Wheels

Going to Chevy sights is a better buy 55 to 57 dates will be off hidden inside ,but design OK for wheels.

57 chevy pass car wheels won't do on a c-1 corvette as they are 14". 55 and 56 chevy pass cars are 15".mike

[Roy B.]

Re: Wheels

57 chevy pass car wheels won't do on a c-1 corvette as they are 14". 55 and 56 chevy pass cars are 15".mike

Mike your right I for got about 57 , getting old

[James R.]

Re: Wheels

Thanks for all the input.
Jim

[James R.]

Re: Wheels

I had good luck yesterday at a local boneyard. I scored a set of 5 "dog bone" wheels for $190.00. I found them on a couple of 1956 passenger cars...Bel Airs I think...they were pretty stripped down. Again, thanks for the info.
Jim

[Dan D.]

Re: Wheels

Hi Jim, Glad to hear you made out so good on your wheels. I'm jealous! I paid a small fortune for mine. Have you been following this "1960 welded-riveted" thread for the past few days? I'm more confused than ever now as to what is correct and what is not. Not sure either how close 1960,61,62 wheels are to 56-57. I'm trying to learn but there is so much to learn I think my little tiny pea brain is going to go into data overload. None of mine have the dogbone, one has a GM stamp, none are dated or have a Kelsey-Hayes imprint! I don't know what I have. Good thing I just have a driver I guess. -Dan-

[James R.]

Re: Wheels

Dan. I haven't been following the thread you mentioned. I guess I have a little tunnel vision. I have seen the GM stamp and PAT PEND stamp on my wheels...not sure that it matters. I am new to the hobby. In fact this 58 is my first car project of any kind. I am assuming from past threads that a lot of folks restore thier car for judging (flight/performane, etc.) and then reconfigure for driving...ie., new shocks, radial tires etc...Is this your impression too?
Jim