"A" with wooden spoke wheels....

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Wood rots, with bad, sometimes fatal, results. Even if I owned a T, I would put steel wheels on it.

(I would love to have a 26-27 T coupe. It is my favorite pre A design. But I find them impossible to drive, and even more dangerous than an A in modern traffic.)

Ray, I think this is a unwarranted 'preconceived thought' that Model-Ts are dangerous with wooden wheels. While I agree that wood can rot, most hickory spokes do not if the vehicle is garage kept and maintenanced properly. All of my Model-Ts (-with the exception of 1) have wood wheels, and I have no problem driving 50 mph. Below is my 1915 that we think nothing of touring 300 miles a day in.

As for a T being dangerous in modern traffic, I guess there is some truth in that however I just make sure I drive mine on safer roads so as not to endanger me or others. I just drive on backroads or divided highways that typically have 55mph (-or less) speed limits, and I try to run in the 45-50 mph to stay out of harms way. I also watch my rear view mirror for cars closing from behind and I just ease over to the shoulder of the road to let them by if need be. I stay off of interstates -or any roads that would create stress for me and other drivers, ...but with that said I have no problem driving any of my T's on any roads that others would drive a non-hot rodded Model-A.

.

 

[Chris Haynes]

Wood rots, with bad, sometimes fatal, results. Even if I owned a T, I would put steel wheels on it.

(I would love to have a 26-27 T coupe. It is my favorite pre A design. But I find them impossible to drive, and even more dangerous than an A in modern traffic.)

My model T is 99 years old with the original wood wheels.

 

[rotorwrench]

My first mentor was also a high school chum with one of my uncles. He busted a few too many spokes on the rear wheel of an old Harley Davidson V-twin. He reworked an old Maxwell wood spoker wheel to fit the axle and drive sprocket then rode it around quite a while before selling it to someone else. My uncle rode with him through a cow pasture chasing jack rabbits and the wheel held up just fine. Both of those guys were pretty crazy but they had a lot of fun doing crazy stuff..

 

[700rpm]

Brent and Chris, this was not a preconceived thought or worry, my comment and concern are based on an article from a few years ago (2013) about a woman who was involved in an accident in a T which caused the wooden spokes to break and collapse, with the result that the car rolled down the hillside, killing the lady. I guess in fairness I would say it wasn’t due entirely to a failure of the wooden spokes, but it made an impression on me at the time. I am not by nature an alarmist and am wont to spread false information, but this was in my mind when I read about wooden spokes.

https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-model-t-enthusiast-killed-in-crash-of-antique-car/217193941/

 

[Mister Moose]

Seeing how wooden aircraft propellers work just fine and last just fine, maybe the difference is in maintenance and inspection. Which costs $$, I know. If you ignore the wood in the weather, it will surely degrade.

 

[gdmn852]

Hello I know of a A400 convertible sedan owner that bought a wooden wheel sedan to use on the A400. Must have been rare when new . I can recall an old timer telling me about driving wood wheel cars in a creek to tighten them up.

 

[31 Woody]

The old wive’s tale about driving in water—if you get a set of these wheels do yourself a favor and DO NOT drive in water. The rim is two layers of metal, water gets inside and will start to rust. But I sure wish I had $1 for every person that tells me to do that, I could buy another set of wheels!

 

[jwmckenzie]

@31 Woody, can you talk about how the wood spoke wheels mount to the hubs. I see in the pic of the Alum cast wheels the bolt pattern is under the steel center that holds the hub cap. Some pics of just the hub would be great.

 

[Oldbluoval]

I guess each to his/her own. I’ve seen guys marry butt-ugly gals thinking they were gorgeous and vice-versa.......
I’m at a loss as to why you would put wooden wheels on a model a!
IMHO

 

[jwmckenzie]

Nothing ugly about wood spoke wheels on a Wood Station Wagon. IMHO.

wouldn't do it on any other body style.

 

[Mike Peters]

Member

Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 68
Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....
@31 Woody, can you talk about how the wood spoke wheels mount to the hubs. I see in the pic of the Alum cast wheels the bolt pattern is under the steel center that holds the hub cap. Some pics of just the hub would be great

I am also curious as to how the wood wheel mounts to a Model A brake drum. Could we see a photo of the back of the wheel? thanks.

 

[31 Woody]

Here are some pictures of the wheels showing the hub front and back. Also there is one picture of lug nuts—that is the key, this requires a special long shank lug nut and secures to any stock Model A with no other changes required.

 

[Mike Peters]

OK. Now I get it. Extra long shanks on lug nuts. That would work. Thank you for explaining.

 

[jwmckenzie]

Thanks for the pics. @31Henry Assume the hubs are two pieces, are they riveted together? Do the lug nuts bottom out on the inside hub or are the wheels held in place by the force on the outside hub?

Jon.

 

[ronn]

I guess each to his/her own. I’ve seen guys marry butt-ugly gals thinking they were gorgeous and vice-versa.......
I’m at a loss as to why you would put wooden wheels on a model a!
IMHO


Im with ya old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! some of us have taste and some of us- well you know.......

 

[jwmckenzie]

some of us have taste and some of us- well you know.......

Really!!! I didn't come here to be insulted.....

 

[deuce5wndw]

What do you guys think about the final bid of 7400 on the car on eBay?

 

[31 Woody]

JWM—there is an outer hub and an inner ring that are riveted together. The wheel is lug centric with it essentially riding on the shank and bevel of the lug nut. In addition to the rivets, the lug nuts also hold the wheel together through clamping force.

To Ronn and Old, i get these wheels aren’t for everyone. But you do not have to be rude. Frankly, I like the uniqueness.

 

[ronn]

rude, not at all- a little levity is always a problem on the Barn.


I guess as we all get older, it is true we get grouchier.


7400. is a great price if that is the car you want. considering the rarity of the wheels, maybe they are worth 1500. - 2000.?

 

[jwmckenzie]

31 Woody, thanks for the details. Now I am educated on the wheels, my search for a set may be more fruitful. Any leads would be appreciated.

$7400, I thought it might go for $10K. Thought about bidding just for the wheels and flipping the Fordor. But without getting an eyeball on the car and it being a Fordor, ya just don't know how much wood work is going to be required, just to get a driver.

I am thinking I would be in at $2K for a full set wheels with the right lug nuts. More if they are ready to bolt on and the natural wood finish.

31 Woody - If you don't mind, I want to use a couple of your photos and get a Parts Wanted add posted.

Thanks again.