Wheels, would like opinions.

[V8COOPMAN]

So,

I would like to find 16" wheels, preferably 6 inch or so wide. That way I can keep the original look and actually put a little bit of tire under there.

Anyone know a source? I would like the trim rings and centers I have to still work.

What you WANT to do is a great idea....you and hundreds of other guys! But it ain't quite that easy. The 16 X 4-1/2" wheels (of this style that accept the '40-type hub caps) were the widest that were generally found on Ford cars. There were a VERY FEW 5"-wide 16"-ers on some select '41-ish Mercurys, but these wheels are so hard to find any more that they are almost as rare as chicken lips. Try these folks in Montana that get one or two every now and then. In fact, their January ad in the link below states that they MIGHT still have two of the 5"-wide 16"-ers available, but $200/ea? Link below!

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=275230&highlight=mercury+wheels

Believe me, the 4-1/2"-wide 16" wheels are plenty wide enough for even the 7.50-R16 tires on the rear of this '36 coupe. Those are 5.50-R16s on 4"-wide wheels on the front. DD

One more closer picture of that rear 7.50-R16 on a 4-1/2" wheel on the same car. DD

 

[V8COOPMAN]

Oops!



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[tubman]

I thought I saw someplace on the H.A.M.B. that there are some wider 16" Toyota truck wheels (from a Landcruiser, perhaps?) where the rims fit an early Ford center perfectly. Perhaps you can make your own.

 

[joe 1950]

Just my opinion a friend of mine has a 40 cpe with 16 inch wheels painted color of the body and 3 stripes as was stated and radials drives like a dream also the best thing i ever did was put radials on my 50 cpe those crack chasing bias plys are for showing

 

[DMMuir]

I may have to do just that. I will have to look for some 4.5 wide wheels I guess. Mu luck to have 7 4" wheels and the 4 15's!

Believe me, the 4-1/2"-wide 16" wheels are plenty wide enough for even the 7.50-R16 tires on the rear of this '36 coupe. Those are 5.50-R16s on 4"-wide wheels on the front. DD

One more closer picture of that rear 7.50-R16 on a 4-1/2" wheel on the same car. DD

 

[DMMuir]

Just my opinion a friend of mine has a 40 cpe with 16 inch wheels painted color of the body and 3 stripes as was stated and radials drives like a dream also the best thing i ever did was put radials on my 50 cpe those crack chasing bias plys are for showing

I want to keep mine original but drivable. I have no plans to put bias on it. Radials are and will be installed and people can live with the inconsistency. If I ever want it in a period correct contest I will find some used/worn out cheap bias and toss on spare rims... She won't win a beauty contest with 80 year old paint and interior, but it's pretty amazing that it's all survived this long as is.New pretty bias tires wouldn't fit her faded and worn image anyway.

 

[V8COOPMAN]

Just my opinion a friend of mine has a 40 cpe with 16 inch wheels painted color of the body and 3 stripes as was stated and radials drives like a dream also the best thing i ever did was put radials on my 50 cpe those crack chasing bias plys are for showing

"Crack-Chasin' Bias Plys".....that's a term that should be 'highlighted' on the first page of every old car guy's notebook! DD

 

[GB SISSON]

I thought I saw someplace on the H.A.M.B. that there are some wider 16" Toyota truck wheels (from a Landcruiser, perhaps?) where the rims fit an early Ford center perfectly. Perhaps you can make your own.

These are the rare non USA 16" toyota landcruiser wheels from the 45 series pickups, but they are multi-piece lock ring wheels and all landcruisers have been 6 bolt on 5.5. They do interchange nicely with chevy wheels.

 

[V8COOPMAN]

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I see that you've got your Christmas lights up early this year. Does this mean that you've got your Christmas shopping finished also? DD

 

[GB SISSON]

They give the swallows a place to roost instead of the wires to the ceiling lamps above the woodie.