1955 Fairlane OE wheel size

[Mad Mux]

Greetings all. First question: what was the size of original steel wheels on 1955 Fairlanes? I'm guessing 15x5 with 5/4.5 bolt pattern.

Second question: what was original backspacing? Anybody have an OE spare they can measure, or, just as likely, know off the top of your head?

I've tried an aftermarket "smoothie" wheel, 15x6 with 3.625" backspacing, and it works fine at all 4 corners. Just wondering what stock wheels were.

Thanks!

 

[dmsfrr]

I think your 15x5 guess is correct.
Just measured the seemingly original(?) wheel inside the spare tire for my '55 (not Fairlane). It looks to be the same type wheel as the other four... 15x5, 5 on 4.5
The backspace measurement is just a touch under 3 & 3/4 inches. (to the outside lip of the wheel)
.

 

[Mad Mux]

Thanks, that helps. Using the 15x6 smoothie "test wheel" I bought from Wheel Vintiques, with a 3.625" backspace, it looks like I could go up to 4' of backspace and still have plenty of clearance both front and rear. I like the way the 3.625 sits out in the rear wheel well, so whatever wheels I end up with I may use a spacer to push them out to be similar to the test wheel.

 

[dmsfrr]

... it looks like I could go up to 4' of backspace and still have plenty of clearance both front and rear. ...

Too much backspace in the front can cause the tire sidewall to rub on the upper suspension. This one came off a friends '57 T-Bird. (I don't know the backspace measurement on the wheel.) I've noticed the front suspension clearance on my '55 with stock wheels is maybe 1/2 inch.
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