Period correct ‘61 Pontiac Catalina S/S track car. Want to run an era correct steel rear wheels. Because of unique axle width i’m going to have to build correct offset (custom ) wheels to suit. Is there a 50s 60s 5 on 5 GM wheel center compatible with any modern available hoops? Any other ideas? Steve weim55 Colorado
There are a crap ton of 15 inch 5 on 5 wheels out there. Big Pontiac, big Olds (not all as some had 5 on 4-3/4) Big Buick Big Chevy such as a lot of Caprice. I've got a pair of 15x8 mid 70's Chevy truck wheels out back with snow tires on them that would probably work on the rear. I think Super stock was limited to 7 inch slicks in those days but may be wrong. That's what we were limited to in Stock class.
At the moment I have a pair of 15 X 7 stock steel wheels off of probably a big late 70s Olds or Buick. The center stamping is weird and the center register hole is not round. One look at it and it is clearly out of the era that the car is intended to represent. Really want to stay with a wheel center no later than 1960s. Not sure of the final rim width just yet, probably an 8 inch. A set up not likely to ever find in old used vintage stuff. Steve weim55 Colorado
Not exactly sure what style of centers you need but Diamond Wheels in Milwaukee Wisconsin supplies racing wheels in about any size, offset,etc. as well as builds other custom wheels.
These are 61/64 Pontiac 14 inch wheels off an old Ebay add. 174074672129 To be correct you will have to run 14 inch wheels. I think that is where things got sidetracked as a lot of us tend to forget that many early 60's full size cars ran 14 inch wheels.
Nothing on wheel sizes here but you might find other info you want. Classic Cars for sale & Classifieds - Buy Sell Classic Car & Classic Truck Classifieds. (oldride.com)
On the 62 Super Duty we raced we put 15 inch tempest wheels on the front. Don't remember the width, but it was pretty narrow. Rears were 15x7. Not sure if 15 inch wheels were available in 1961.
To be dead on period correct Weim55 needs the 1961 NHRA rule book to see what and what wasn't allowed in Super stock.
You can find the rule book for 61 here. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/nhra-rule-books-1958-present.870742/
While Pontiac went to 14" wheels starting in 1957, at least in 1962 15"x6" wheels were optional and part of the HD brake package option. Forgive the tire but here is a 15" versus 14" Pontiac wheel . The centers should be the same as the earlier 50's Pontiac 15" wheels. Not sure what the ID of a modern hoop is but FWIW the 15"center is 12-5/8" diameter versus 12" for the 14" wheel.
I have a 60 Catalina 2dr sedan stick car that I’m working on. What I am planning is I got 1956 Pontiac 15 inch wheels and planned to have the centers welded to 15x6 rims so I can run my small caps. For my future slicks I have 15x7 5 on 5 steel wheels off of I believe a Chevy Caprice but I’m not sure of their origins. So far here is my set up: 63 389 068 cam Dual quads Factory long branch headers (repro) T10 4spd 3.23 posi (would like to go lower) Still need to get it on the road
My '63-1/2 Galaxie will be having a 'wheel fit fiasco' later this summer. Years ago, I was the 'Dumped/reversed wheel guy'... a revisit will be interesting.
Thank you for the pics and measuring the wheel centers. Is the 15" you have pictured a HD brake wheel from that era Pontiac? I've never seen one like that (rare?) Hoosier just came out with a 29x7x15 Super Stock Slick that I will be running, they only have 15", no 14".
Look into mopar wheels of the same era...believe they have a 7” that worked perfect... the offset fits those perfect..
M&H has a 14’ if you wanted to go that way. https://www.mandhtires.com/M-H-Racemaster-Drag-Slicks/8.00-8.50-14
A while back I was building a '62 Catalina wagon (another project I sold too soon). Just to have something on the back, I mounted a pair of 30x9.50 BFG's on a pair of Buick Riviera road wheels (Magnum 500 style). They fit...but boy, they just fit. Not that you would want to use any of that, but if you could find a wheel and tire to measure, it might give you a good starting point. Gene.
Would love to run superstock with Southeast gassers but The distance would probably never allow. They mandate running 7” Slick and worked with Hoosier to produce a 29x7x15 slick just for the class. I’m going to try running a pair of these but I’m doubtful they are going to hook, the Catalina is in the 10s in the 1/4. Basically, I want to just hit as many vintage drag events as I can. The rules can be fairly loose but some are strict about period correct appearance W/ no modern wheels or slicks over 10”. Plus it’s important to me to represent the 60s era Super Stock accurately while still maintaining performance with the car, tough to accomplish. Steve weim55 Colorado
Has a disc brakes and no 14 inch wheel I have tried will clear the calipers. Thanks for the recommendation! Steve weim55 Colorado
The wheel wells have been massaged a bit and currently has a 29x10.5x15. That’s THE largest tire that will fit. Steve weim55 Colorado
Yes, they are the correct 15" wheels. The probably easier to find mid-50s Pontiac 15" wheels have very similar if not the same centers but I believe are only 5-1/2" wide.
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