1940-48 16"X4" Wheels

stovebolt

stovebolt

Member
I have a few questions about these wheels.
Firstly, approximately how long after 1948 did Ford produce these wheels as replacement wheels? Before and after 1948, were the dates always stamped and were they always stamped in the same location? Were the replacement wheels always painted black?
Secondly, were aftermarket wheels produced during and after 40-48?
On these wheels, were the dates always stamped and always in the same location? Were they always painted black? Thank you for any information provided. Joe.
 
I don't have the actual printed info in front of me, however, if my memory serves me correctly, the '40-48 16" style of wheel was used by Ford up through '65 on the F-100's as an option... It is also very possible that Ford offered the 16" wheel as an option on cars after '48. Of course the bolt pattern would no be the same as the '40-48 cars and F-100's through '79. Ford usually used Kelsey-Hayes and Firestone produced wheels, however, Budd most likely built the same type of wheels.
As to the date/brand stampings: The stampings are very inconsistent, I have '36 and later wheels that are not marked and/or are marked with Ford, KH and/or Firestone... I don't recall seeing date stamps on any of these wheels..
I think the date stamping of wheels is something that started in the late '60's, early '70's when everything had to have DOT approvals for weight, etc..
The wheel colors on Fords cars were generally the same as the body color.
 
I purchased some NOS Ford wheels and they were not stamped with dates, just KH, they had painted part numbers and where sort of a simi-gloss/chassis black paint, I also found an original wheel with I suppose body color and when blasting the paint off, it had one coat of color and was the same black as the NOS wheels. Remember 40, early 41 wheels were made different than the other years.
 
i've read that only '40 & '41 were 4", '42-'48 were 4 1/2". also, the area around lugs has a different design after about '49.
 
What are the differences between the 40/41 and 42 to 48? I'm always refering to passenger car wheels 16"X4". Are there different bolt patterns within this group?
 
stovebolt said:
What are the differences between the 40/41 and 42 to 48? I'm always refering to passenger car wheels 16"X4". Are there different bolt patterns within this group?
Click to expand...
The design of the wheel is different as Alan states in 40 - 41. Hopefully the picture will help. Notice the right angles (A to B) of this 40 rim? The later rims are very curved in this area. Much stronger design for certain and little doubt the reason for the change.
Many of the rims in 1940 were date coded as seen in one of my photos.
 

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