Why the 16 inch wheels?

I have the original size rims on my 31 coupe,the front end has been rebuilt and properly alligned,but on the paved county roads it will dive to one side or the other (hedge hop) maybe due to the narrow tires catching all the groves and uneven surfaces of the road,you really have to keep both hands on the steering wheel and pay special attention all the time,I am wondering if 16 inch tires would make a big difference in how it handles and drives .
 
Because the 16" rims came on the truck when I found it and they're in good shape. I had to buy new rubber for them. Finding and buying the truck happened very fast. I wanted to drive the truck soon after buying it. I had to restore some mechanical and safety issues with any old car that's been in hibernation for 43 yrs. I don't belong to the theory, " Just throw on any old 19" wheels". You guys know... Tubes and tires are expensive! A set of really good original 19" wheels are hard to obtain when you need them. Needless to say, the Slant sedan I'm restoring is having the correct wheels and tires on it.
 
kp said:
I have the original size rims on my 31 coupe,the front end has been rebuilt and properly alligned,but on the paved county roads it will dive to one side or the other (hedge hop) maybe due to the narrow tires catching all the groves and uneven surfaces of the road,you really have to keep both hands on the steering wheel and pay special attention all the time,I am wondering if 16 inch tires would make a big difference in how it handles and drives .
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Recheck the toe in.
 
I also have heard it started during the war years. By 1942, the 16-inch tire had been an industry standard for 7 years, whereas 19-inch tires were only around for a couple years, and 21-inch tires were decidedly old tech. If you were going to get any tires at all in the 1940s, it would probably be in 16-inch. I've even seen period advertisements for remanufactured Model A wheels with 16-inch rims.

A stock "A" with 16s just looks 1940s to me, which is fine if that's the look you're going for.

-Dave
 
I run both 16 & 19 wheels on my car. When asked for the car to be on display...I put on the 19's When on tour I put the 16 inch bent spoke kelseys on (with radial tires). It rides better brakes better and I get many more miles on radials than on the Firestones or Goodyears.
Bruce Davis a400usa@nccn.net
 
I'm essentially a purist, but the 16's do look good on certain body styles- Coupes for instance. If I bought a Model A with 16's already on the car, I wouldn't be in any hurry to change them out.

Now stone guards on the other hand.............
 
I was browsing to see if there were any of the cut-down wheels for sale on the HAMB. I didn't find any, but I did stumble across a picture of a set:

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-Dave
 
i drive mine as a daliy driver now and i love the 19s i had 16s on it and it just felt slugish and harder to turn swiched to 19s and couldent be happier yes my truck dose hedge hog in a lain thats cuz all my stering balls are worn and my 7 tooth is out of adj
 
In my case it was simple - they came on the car when I bought it 4 years ago. The car needed new tires so right off I showed my wife pictures of the cars with the 21's on them and ours and said pick one, because I need to buy either new 16" tires or new tires and 21" rims. She liked the 16s so here we are. BTW - these are still bias ply with tubes.
 
My 1st Model A had 16" wheels-so I got used to looking at them at an early age. I've got the correct ones on one of my cars and 16's on the other. ALSO,if you decide to run 16" wheels, you can use the rusty lug nuts that have been rattling around in the bottom of your tool box as they won't show once you install the hubcap!
 
Why? Simply because everybody else in High School ('49-'53) had 16 inchers so I had to have them as well............... Gar Williams
 
Were the 16 inch wheels from another year between '31 and '39? Also, there are 17" wheels. What years are they?

Phil (oldfords)
 
Fords used 16-inch wheels from '35 to '39 (and on to '48), but in the years you listed, only the 1935 wires directly interchange with Model A wheels; in 1936-1939 Ford used a 5 on 10.25 (or 10.50, I can't remember) "Wide Five" bolt pattern. Seventeen-inch wheels date from 1933 and 1934.

-Dave
 
Every one has their own likes and dislikes regarding wheels. My first A had solid 16" wheels, took those off and went to solid 15" wheels took those off and went with the original 21" wheels and never looked back. Now regarding the radial question we just order 19" radials for the roadster pick up build. We will write that up in the Model A Times once the project build gets on the road!
 
Does Coker tire in Tenn. sell 16 in. wire wheels that will fit on the model 'A' with out spacers ? Any one have a set on their 'A' model and if so, what size tire do you use.
I called Coker the other day and ask, and the guy said he was not sure but he did not think so.[maybe a new guy?].
Thanks for any info.
 
David Conwill said:
I also have heard it started during the war years. By 1942, the 16-inch tire had been an industry standard for 7 years, whereas 19-inch tires were only around for a couple years, and 21-inch tires were decidedly old tech. If you were going to get any tires at all in the 1940s, it would probably be in 16-inch. I've even seen period advertisements for remanufactured Model A wheels with 16-inch rims.

A stock "A" with 16s just looks 1940s to me, which is fine if that's the look you're going for.

-Dave
Click to expand...

By around 1940 most cars were using pressed steel wheels, so K-H appear to have come up with some aftermarket ones to retro-fit to '28-'35 cars - I have several of these in 16" x 4" and 4-1/2", all with the correct raised centre to seat on the five nubs inboard of the studs. Unless they were made for another manufacturer who used the Ford pattern of 5 on 5-1/2", of course? Oddly, they take the '40s Lincoln caps rather than similar aged Ford ones, but maybe that was for a bit of extra prestige when updating your "old car"? :)
 

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I think it depends on the body style. To my eye, 16's look ok on pickups, coupes, and maybe roadsters; on Fordors and Tudors, they just give it the look of an interrupted hot rod project, IMO.

Looks aside, there must be good reasons the whole world changed to the fatter tires, like road stability, stopping power, and safety. They do make car feel a bit more like a rod--more fun to bomb around in. However, they are noticeably harder to steer while stopped or barely rolling. Also, they are like switching from a standard (3.78) to a 4.11 rear end, at least from my 21" tires.

I had solid 16's on my car when I first got it many years ago, but I switched back as soon as I had the money. More recently, I borrowed a set of 1935 spoked 16's with tires mounted to try out again. I was planning to switch to 16's because of the glowing reports from our club members who have switched to 16's. I was annoyed to discover I still really liked the looks of the 21's. So, I invested in some pretty Firestones.

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There are other options. In 1939, my dad had something else on his "A". I don't know if those are 17" or 18" tire, among his many mods.

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Steve
 
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