Hot Rods 14 inch chrome reversed or 15?

Why the hell did Chevy run a 14 inch wheel in 57?!

I’m looking for a set of authentic chrome reverse wheels. I currently have 14” and would like to not have to upgrade the tires as well. That said, I will upgrade to 15s all around if it gives it a better look and fits better with the 57-62ish period.

Any photos, opinions, suggested vendors etc. would be greatly appreciated.

thanks much

 

One thing to consider is 15" wheels give you a much wider selection of tires and tire sizes to choose from, the 14" market is pretty skimpy these days.

 

More side wall for a smoother ride.. no radial tires then….57 was the year all of the manufacturers did it for the standard full sized passenger cars. Also less steel for the wheels…hence cheaper.

 

Longer & lower was still the ad hype in mid-'50s. Buick & Cad were the only holdouts.

 

I was talking with a friend about 14 v 15 a few nights ago. Very small selection of 14’s he told me, as you mentioned.

 

14 inch spokes or Suprems with skinny whites stretched on em look cool.

regular 14s looks kinda goofy

 

Yeah, goofy is what has me concerned. Sounds like 15s are the way to go.
who makes an authentic chrome reverse? I see a lot of smoothies etc, but would like something that matches OEM (for lack of a better term since reverse were not available stock). Thanks for all the replies, super helpful

 

@Bandit Billy used Wheelsmith I think, he sent his wheel (chrome) and had the cut out the center. Weld them to different hoops? Something like that.
If it was him, maybe he’ll give you the details.

 

Wheelsmith is about the only one making a new chrome reverse wheel right now. Only thing really they lack is the vent holes like alot of OEM wheels had, but you can order what ever size and backspacing you need. They are made you your specs.

Vintique used to make them, but they no longer offer the chrome anymore is seems on their website.

 

I’ll check them out.
Cool 56 you have btw

 

thanks and the wheels on the 56 are from wheelsmith as a reference. really good chrome.

 

I’ve had many WheelSmith wheels and all custom made…they are very proud of their work.

 

I am running 14s" on my 53 Chevy.

 

I’d drive it.

friend has a bone stock 57. The OE 14 inch caps and correct size tire looks small. …..ish

 

Yep, it was me, good memory Budget! I got tired of waiting on WV to send my wheels so I bought a set of 15x6 style 64 wheels from summit, cut the centers out with a cut off wheel, boxed them up and sent them to Wheelsmith for him to weld into new rims with my 2" backspace. Did not have to rechrome. Fast turn around.

 

I didn't intend on running 14"s. When I bought it had Camaro Rally wheels and radials which had to go!

My mom knew I wanted steel wheels and whitewalls, and saw the wheel 14" with G-78 whitewalls at the Early Ford V8 swapmeet in Fitchburg Mass.
When she asked if they were Chevy pattern and found out the price for all was $200.00 the bought them for me!

Best mom ever!

 

@Robert J. Palmer , @Moriarity , Both great looking rides! Thanks for the examples. It seemed to me that traditional styling would be a driver in the market and that something like Crome reverse would be readily available, but I think maybe our corner of the car world is shrinking again as most of the wheel selection has a street rod feel to it. Thanks @Bandit Billy, I may have to do something similar, although I’m in no super hurry.
There are also wheel on fleebay, used, that look right but I would guess need rechroming, but I would hazard a guess that chrome would cost an arm and a leg nowadays.
Thanks again

 

Some old rusty chrome can be cleaned up to be quite presentable. Don't rule out some of that used stuff.

 

57 only came with 14 inch wheels according to the GM heritage center archives.
I'd have to agree that you have more options tire wise with 15 than 14 though and it comes down to what personally like or what is period correct if you are shooting for spot on period correct. Spot on late 50's period correct would be 14 inch.

 

Started with 14’s but 15’s looked so good I bought 16’s.. The next year 17’s we’re in so I looked at 18’s but bought 20’s… the thin tires rode so bad I put the 14’s back on……life of a customizer with the whims of the crowd..

 

If lowering with spindles, some have issues with 14s
Just a fyi

 

Good to know, thanks

 

There is a spindle from CPP that can use 14 inch wheels.
One reason I passed on 14s was that reason.

the other issue is most drop spindles increase the track width. Some a lot.

 

So much that I don’t know about tri-fives!

 

I have both. 14"s in the front and 15" s in the back.

 

14" wheels are part of the 1950's styling revolution. Harley Earl's experimental Y job dream car from the late 30's had 13" wheels. Now cars have gone way off the other direction.