14" wheels on a '56?

F

Ford Freak

Well-known member
Hello All! I know that my car came w/15" wheels. Do you all think 14''wheels would look ok on a'56 Fairlane Club Sedan? Reason that I ask is because I have a nice set of "old school" 14" x 6" chrome reverse wheels that I think might look ok on my black '56. I know that Ford went to 14"s in '57 w/the lower profile body that year. Chevy also went to 14"s in '57, with their higher profile body that year, and the 14"s look good on them. Thought's? Thanks in advance! F F
 
I saw your post on another site. Reminded me my buddy has 14” chrome reverse on a 56 Nomad. In place of the original 15’s. Just because it looks good on the “other” brand tri 5 doesn’t mean it will on yours, but it probably will. If you pick the right tire, or drop the suspension a bit. 14” tires aren’t that easy to come by, so there’s that.

The big tire chain by me has (or had) a photo shop deal, put in the car picture, it “ shops” wheel and tire combos before you buy. With a side view of the car, picture of the wheels, and shopping for tires, they might be able to help.
 
34pickup said:
Back in the 60s I ran 14s on my 56 2door and I thought they looked really good.
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We are only talking 1/2 in. on the top, & 1/2 in. on the bottom. Not much different, but rpm's will be a bit higher @ 70 mph. The 14' wheels I have here have 215/75/R14 (26.7" tall) tires on them. In the spring, I'm going to slap them on & see how it looks.
 
Ford Freak said:
We are only talking 1/2 in. on the top, & 1/2 in. on the bottom. Not much different, but rpm's will be a bit higher @ 70 mph. The 14' wheels I have here have 215/75/R14 (26.7" tall) tires on them. In the spring, I'm going to slap them on & see how it looks.
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My owners manual says that the original tires for '56 Fairlane are 670-15. They are 28.6" tall. So, almost 2" taller than the tires that I have. The car has a 1957 Ford 9" rear axle w/3:89 gears.
 
The upper ball joint will be very close to the sidewall of the tire, just a 6-inch-wide tire can rub on the upper a arm. With 14's.
 
About 15 years ago I switched my '56 Fairlane's bias ply tires for radials, and although they were only about an inch or so lower, it took me a long, long time to get used to the difference in the height. Just didn't look "right" to me.
 
5851a said:
The upper ball joint will be very close to the sidewall of the tire, just a 6-inch-wide tire can rub on the upper a arm. With 14's.
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Thanks, I will check that in April, when it warms up around here & I get back out to the garage!
 
Ford56 said:
About 15 years ago I switched my '56 Fairlane's bias ply tires for radials, and although they were only about an inch or so lower, it took me a long, long time to get used to the difference in the height. Just didn't look "right" to me.
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That's what I am afraid of. Thanks for the reply!
 
Aerostar springs in the front. Blocks in the back. It’s not that the tire are too short, the car’s too high.

Opps, I try to keep the hot rod impulses under control here. LOL
 
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miker98038 said:
Aerostat springs in the front. Blocks in the back. It’s not that the tire are too short, the car’s too high.

Opps, I try to keep the hot rod impulses under control here. LOL
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Hmmm.....I think you might have something there! "Hot Rod Impulses" are ok w/me, as my car is quite "Hot Rodded" now. LOL
 
Can you post pics of your chrome reverse wheels? Just wonder if the have that bead molded in them. Also when you get the on the car. It would be cool to see
 
Abe Lugo said:
Can you post pics of your chrome reverse wheels? Just wonder if the have that bead molded in them. Also when you get the on the car. It would be cool to see
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I don't know what you mean by 'bead". They are just like OEM style, (except chrome). Right now they are on narrow w w. It will be April by the time I get back out to the garage, too cold now!
 
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I would say your rims size/tire is a wash if the tire size overall is the same as the OEM diameter. you would not want to go any smaller than a 8.00-14 or close P215/75R14, that would stock on a '57. If the stock 56 tire was taller than that, then adding this combo will get you some lowering. I would also also say lowering the suspension a bit helps with the look.
Some people stick to 15s for the tire options.

here are the beads Im talking about. I think these were the safety beads people talk about right?
 

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Abe - mine do have that bead. As far as tires go, according my owners manual, my car would have come w/6.70-15 tires @ 28.5 circum. The closest 14 in. rad. is 235/75/R14, @ 28 in. circum. My car has a '57 9" rear end installed by a previous owner. I have not done the driveshaft thing to determine the ratio, but from 50 yrs. of experience I'd say it has 3:50's - 3:89's. Either way, the 215/75/R14's @ 26.5 would raise my rpm @ 70 much more than I want. Thanks! F F
 
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