most of the new reverse wheels I see for sale look different to me... Here’s a picture of some I have...see how they are kinda curved more… new ones are flatter looking in this area... not at all what I would call a “true” reverse wheel where the centers are taken out of an old wheel and flipped around… I don’t know, they just don’t look right to me… Does anyone know if there’s some where I can get some “real” reverse wheels?... the ones I have would be perfect…but they’re only like 5” wide… I really want some 15x7’s…
I searched and found some in the cl***ifieds not sure if theyre the same ones youre talking about or not though But, they just look like all the new ones Im talking about flatter like theyre just a new wheel made with a little more positive offset and they just call them a reverse wheel? Yeh, I was thinking about that wondering how difficult it would be to get the centers in there straight and true I mentioned it to someone and they didn't seem to think it was a good idea... But, I dont know Im kinda tempted to try it
I used to make all my own reversed wheels and I found not all wheels are alike on the back side. I usually reversed 49,50 etc Mercury or 15inch Ford truck rims. Some wheels are what you called flat and some were more on a slant, I always made sure I had a matched set.
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"back in the day" Buick wheels were used for the outer hoops since they wider than most wheels in the 50's and they have a lot of that 'slope' you are looking for. Getting the wheels 'true' is really no big deal. Just takes a little care measuring for both depth and radial runout. After pressing (or hammering) the center into position, mount it on a hub on the front of your car and spin it slowly with a fixed point (jack stand or some such with a punch or chisel or metal strap clamped to it for reference)near the rim edge and watch for runout and correct as necessary. When it is straight tack weld, check again...then weld permanently. Ray
Absolutely correct, Ray. In 1957 a pal and I were in the 'Dumped Rims & Traction Bar business', Santa Clara High school, CA. Tex's Auto wreckers sold us Ford, Merc, Cad, Olds, and Buick rims for a dollar each, (only take the riveted ones!) '49-'50 Mercs had 5-1/2" outers, (Tommy Ivo ran those on his T) and the GMs were 6"&7". We drilled rivets out, aligned centers in what offset orders we had, and welded 'em up in 5th & 6th periods. in Metal Shop. (got graded on 'em, too!) I kept an old '34 spindle & hub in my locker to spin 'em with...just chuck it in the vise, spin it with a welding rod pointer, and tack. We got $10 for unpainted, $12.00 for black. The "Keystone" chromed wheels were just coming in then. They had a squarish-rippled hoop, looked like poop. Most nerds didn't know the difference, but the cool guys did.
thanks for all the replys...lots of good information... Here's another set I have. They're cool, but they're 14s...
Yeah the Hot set up was to use the ford center and the wider buick rim.... Olds and Pontiac rims would work too I think
I made some for my 56 Chevy. I used 55 chevy centers because they were riveted and the hoops were 56 Lincoln also riveted. The rivets were drilled out of each wheel. The rivet holes lined up, bolted them together and trued them up in a tire changer. Then welded them up, left the valve stems inside the wheel, had some fun asking the gas station attendant to check the air pressure. Lots of different answers. The Lincoln rims had a straight step where the Buick rims had and angled step. I liked the straight step better.
When I changed rear ends I went an inch narrower on each side so I needed to have my wheels reversed. I found a fellow H.A.M.B.er that could reverse my wheels for me. I'll let him speak up if he wants to say anything. Although the wheels aren't traditional (15X7's off an 80's Caprice) they are really reversed wheels. The outer rim isn't real good looking but it's what I had. He put the wheels in a lathe, cut the factory welds and them re-welded them reversed. He also put the wheels in the lathe when he checked for run out. The first black/gray pic is when the wheels were tack welded - I had the tires mounted and checked fitment before final welding and painting.
7" hoops can cause a problem for the old look that you want. The new 7" hoops won't have the same slant on the inside like the old cl***ic reversed wheels from the 50s. Another problem for my eye is that some of the aftermarket wheels have eliminated the cooling slots found on the old wheels. You have to look close but the rear wheels on my truck are modern replacements without the cooling slots. In the 50s it was popular to use hoops from a Buick (wider) with centers from a Ford. I don't know how wide the Buick hoops were but I'm pretty sure they were not 7" wide. I made these rear rims using Ford centers with 7" white wagon wheel hoops which were dirt cheap for several years. I paid 20 bucks for the pair, cut out the centers and welded in the Ford centers. I don't remember but I don't think they had the cl***ic angle that you are taking about. This is a 50 Mercury rim that someone reversed back in the 50s that has that exact look that I think you are talking about. I love the look. These are only 5 1/2" wide and of course don't take the 48 hubcaps.
For you Chevy guys, these were taken off of a 62 Chevy wagon and have a reverse built into them from factory. Down side is they are 14x6 wheels.
Yeh, I think my problem will be finding a 7 rim that I like I wouldnt normally want wider than a 6 wheel BUT, Im planning on using them with slicks, and for the size, I was thinking a 7 wide rim would look best If I dont find some 7s, I might just get some 6s that I like, mount them and just see how they look and go from there... And yeh, those reversed mercury wheels are exactly the look Im after they look great.
Buick's were available in at least 6 1/2"........I have a set........and no, they are NOT for sale ...........but they are 'out there'............ Ray
I have a two reverse early Ford wheel that have been reverse and widen 2" to the inside. The wheels are in primer and in great conditions. I am will to sell if interested
Were the Buicks 15" or 16" diameter? I love the look of '40 Ford-style reverse rims, and had a set of nice 16" x 5" Ford or KH steels with rivetted centers (date stamped mid-'60s) that I was going to use the rims on some early centers. Unfortunately I ended up using the wheels on my truck, so that put paid to that plan!
Anyone ever considered using FWD 15x7's outers with older centers? I always thought that the extreme negative offset of these wheels would make for some extreme positive offset with 2wd centers swapped in.
15" most of the 15" rims that I have played with have a 12 5/8" center at the hoop. The 53 F100 centers fit the white spoke aftermarket hoops from the 70s. I do have some 15" Ford car wheels from the 50s with different diameter centers. They are welded from the factory. So measure before you purchase.
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