1955 Ford Car Wheel Offset

scicala

scicala

Well-known member
Does anyone know what the offset is on '55 Ford car wheels ?
Is the flat mounting surface of the wheel in the center of the wheel, or offset ?
Looking to buy aftermarket wheels using the same tires, and want to make sure the front tires won't rub when turning.

Thanks for any info, Sal
 
Here's some info I got a few years ago when trying to get the correct wheels for my '56. It might help:

Lay the wheel on a flat surface, front side facing down.
Lay the yardstick across the top of the rim, from one side to the other. If there is a tire on the wheel you must then lay a flat edge the correct size of the rim, from one side to the other, which will lay flat onto the edge of the rim, not the tire.
Measure the distance from the inside mounting surface of the wheel, where the lug nut holes are, which mates against the axel hub on the car, to the lower edge of your flat ruler/stick lying across the top edge of the rim.
This measurement is your "Back Space" measurement.
 
I could give you the backspace measurement for a stock 5 inch wide '55/'57 T-Bird wheel (3.5", with approx 1/2 inch Positive offset) but am not sure if it's different for the full-sized cars.
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Backspacing needs will vary with different wheel widths. Front spacing ( the distance from the wheel mounting surface to front or outside of the wheel is important on the mid fifties Fords because body panel is so close to the wheel/tire.
 
I wanted soo bad to mount 'Bullit ' wheels, like on my '04 Mustang on my '55 T-Bird. So, I tried to mount them, but the 17" wheels still hit the steering knuckle, and would not fit.

I suppose they would make it with spacers, but that worries me a bit. The Mustang wheels also had a larger back side offset, like most other newer cars, and I was hoping the 17" wheels might work, but no. Close though.
 
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