16 inch wheels

H

harryc

Senior Member
Aside from whether or not you personally approve of their use, do you think 16 inch standard ford wire wheels decrease the value, increase the value or have no effect on the value of a model A? What about Kelsey Hayes wires?
 
I believe that 16"ers have little or no affect on value today because of more people wanting to tour with there A's. Kelsey's are the best because of their looks.
 
Since the advent of 19" Radials, several of our folks have ditched their 16 inchers in favor of going back to the original 19" wires.
 
With the Ford 19 inch radials on the Ford 19 rims does one need to use a tube or will the 19 work as tubeless? Also on Kelsey Hayes 19's?
Just wondering, As for the original question I notice so many 16 inch on cars that I can't imagine they make the car lose much value. If that is a real worry keep the originals when adding the 16's. Win, win. Better ride and perhaps added value. I think when making changes to the A's, one is well served to retain the old part in case you decide to go back stock or decide to sell. Just don't hot rod the car as that appears to double the street value and no one wants to do that. LOL
 
Coker lists radial tube options which have rubber or metal valve stems for the Excelsior radials.
Don't see how the radials would not leak on old A rims but good question..
 
I feel that 16 inch wheels ruins the look of an original model A . The smaller tires on 16 inch wheels even look silly on a model A to me . I want the original look , not the depression or war years look . Good model A wheels and tires are getting more and more expensive. I feel that wrong wheels lowers the value of the model A .
 
Purdy Swoft said:
I feel that 16 inch wheels ruins the look of an original model A . The smaller tires on 16 inch wheels even look silly on a model A to me . I want the original look , not the depression or war years look . Good model A wheels and tires are getting more and more expensive. I feel that wrong wheels lowers the value of the model A .
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I agree. Wheels are one of the first things you notice on the car, and small wheels just ruin the looks. If you go the small wheel route, at least keep the original wheels.
 
Do what you like, keep the original stuff, best of both worlds. I like all As, they are an expression of what you like. I do however feel sad when a runner is hot-rodded or rat-rodded, but I still like the looks of them.
 
1935 16" rims are at premium prices now simply because so many people are using them. The 16" is far more stable and makes driving more pleasurable. I still have my 19" wheels held in reserve. Because of that the rims I choose to have on my car don't affect the value one bit as whoever owns it after me will run the wheel of their choice.
 
Depends who you are selling to. Purists want it original and younger guys tend to like the hot rod look>


so no telling. depends on your target market.
 
I just pulled the 16 inch wires and Coker tires off my roadster. Brand new Firestone 19" and fresh painted wires. Rides better with the new Firestones. Cokers were brand new also and came on the car when we bought it.

On another note, the 16 inchers are a pain in the rear to get a socket inside the hub center to loosen the lug nuts.
 
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I like the ride better with 16s, and the car stops on the dime. No tubes, and only paid $80 a tire.
 

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My 30 Ford coupe has 17" wheels and I think they look great and prefer them to 19" wheels. I don't think either would make a difference in the price. Would probably be easier to find tires for the 16" in most any tire store.
 
I don't think the 16's would affect the value of the car. It would be easy to trade for the 19 inch wheels since the 16 are popular. Kelsey's might raise the value a little as would keeping the original 19's in the garage. Wheels are easy to change, if the car is painted a non standard color, that is a real problem

Charlie Stephens
 
Tires can be had for little money UNLESS you have to have Coker's, Diamond Backs, etc. Any 16" tire will fit your 16" wire wheel. JMO
Paul in CT
 
hb32 said:
Where are you getting tires for $80 each ?
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From a local tire store, they are truck tires, Iam back to having problems uploading again, or I could show you the difference. Id rather not be bound to Coker for tires.
 
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