Talk to me about wheels......

SLPreston53 said:
I had a very similar Tudor and put on 21" wheels that had been cut down for 16" rims. That way they maintained the look and yet gave me the ride and handling of the bigger tire. They did these "cut downs" back in WWII because 16" tires were much more available than 19s and 21s. Today, they are not too hard to find, and I had a million conversations with folks who knew the wheels weren't "right," but couldn't put their finger on just what was "wrong."
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I have a set of the 19" cut down wheels, just haven't convinced myself to buy tires for them yet.
 
I have 16" Kelsey and really like them but hav e stock 19" on my other A and also like them. Personal choice?
 
What do you need : a safer wheel or looks . Try a 1935 FORD ; 16 in wheel with radials . If looks override safety then you can sell the 16 . There are lots of folks looking for 16 .
 
My intention is to put the 16" wires on mine that I have but haven't accumulated funds for tires yet (only been saving for 3 yrs..............)
Paul
 
Your issue is about ride quality but I've seen no mention or discussion regarding the shape of your springs and shocks. I installed some rebuilt shocks, replaced my front spring and went through all the steering and the difference was amazing. Are you sure tires are the issue?
 
I thought you might find these photos interesting. Sixteen inch Kelsey's (2)(my favorite except original wheels), 1935 Ford 16 inch (2)(note spare is still 21), a 19" converted to 16" (2) and finally a 21" converted to 16"(note spare is still 21").

Charlie Stephens
 

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Charlie, What size tires are on the red ccpu? I have a set of the 19>16's I would like to use on my PU.
 
I remember seeing the 35 Wire wheels on A's when I was a kid in the 50s and 60s and I like them. I got tires for the all electric RAV4 for mine. The tread is only one inch wider.
I am using the fully synchronised 3 speed with overdrive
 
My wheels are 16 Ford wheels. With the Ford wheels you don't have to put tubes in them.
My tires are from Diamond Back (www.dbtires.com).
Tire size is 215/85/R16, 30.4 inches high.
They grind the letters off of the side and vulcanize the white wall on.
I have driven them and have 15,000 miles on them and they ride great.
It is your Model A do what ever you want and enjoy it.
Good luck and hope to see you on the road.
1929 Christmas 2012.jpg
 
How about a solution that keeps the original wheels but gives you 50,000 mile tread life, is a radial and a little larger than the tires currently on the car. We have put them on two cars for the article coming out soon, the are Excelsior tires from Coker. They are more money but you get two to three times the mileage out of them. The article is in the next issue out in July.
 
Tiny said:

17's and Blackwalls. Be different everyone runs 16's!!!
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, I agree, The 17 inch wheels are cool as hail. They are taller and give a slight overdrive effect. I like them better than 16 inch wheels because you see more spokes, they just look better to me. Original wheels can allways be returned as long as you save em.
 
Yeah I'm going there, who is doing the the rating?!!!! This question is very valid! I vote 5 star, and I challenge you all the way, take it else where and lighten up, life is too short!
Want to propagate the hobby, shelve the attitude, simple!
 
triumphleroy said:
The little model A with the 17's that Tiny posted is what I remember as being utilized for daily transportation in the late 40's 50's era. Like that big an little look too! Just happen to have an good used set handy on an 31 "PHAKINGTON"
TINY What do you know about this photo?
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That's my coupe. I just did some digital aging to the photo:). Those were are my17" Kelsey Hayes bent spokes. I have 17" Ford straight spokes, powder coated black on it now. Thanks for the compliment, thats the look I'm going for 1938 modifications that the average guy would do!!!

Here it is in color
 
triumphleroy said:
When these A Models were brand new they had all original parts and pieces. As they aged whatever a poor man could find was what they used to keep them going. I was born in 1942 and rode in my Dad's 1929 Sport Coupe with hand made pick up box in place of rumble seat. Highly likely that there were more modified's than stockers that survived! What ever could be found,modified and used was used. My 1929 Sport coupe has an hand made galvanized sheet metal roof which is laid over the original cloth top. Most likely the rumble seat will be replaced by an hand made pick up bed. I dearly wish my father was around to help me with building that bed...... In my youth we did what we could mostly with nothing and model a's were used by all of us as daily transportation, and we were dang proud to have anything. The wealthy folks bought new cars, us poor folks were survivors. I still till this day like riding in what many refer to as "Depression Cruisers" If you were lucky all four wheels and tires were the same size and brand tire?
So do as you please and leave the new "FaceBook" Mentality to someone else why ask their opinions? I personally don't need others opinions.
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You remember Model A's as I do, they were survivors of the depression and WWII shortages. …but most of all they were daily transportation. I kind of like retaining some of that look of an A as I remember them, but with a little freshening up.
 
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