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Projects help needed identifying old ford wheels

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by GasGas300, Apr 27, 2026.

  1. GasGas300
    Joined: Sep 8, 2018
    Posts: 82

    GasGas300
    Member

    I have these cool old wheels on my car. I'd like to repaint them and get some center caps for them. They have a 6.00 by 18 inch tire mounted on them. 5 by 5.5 inch bolt pattern. What stumps me is the 6.5 inch hole where the hub cap would go. Any idea what I have here so I can look for some center covers?
    Thanks 46e117c1-6d22-481b-b3ac-f493da631806.jpg 58b03a72-a1c3-4d0d-b80e-bce38a2bea2b.jpg 168027cf-40ad-4949-ba2f-7b0c4bd645c8.jpg e0195a8d-a388-41bf-9d71-430ff7bda112.jpg
     
    Deutscher likes this.
  2. richard noble
    Joined: Dec 30, 2024
    Posts: 153

    richard noble

    That would be a 1932 Buick, the cap whole should be 6 5/8….Kelsey Hayes part number K-16252
     
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2026
    HemiDeuce, Carter, Deutscher and 4 others like this.
  3. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 23,462

    alchemy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Only the black ones are Ford.
     
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  4. GasGas300
    Joined: Sep 8, 2018
    Posts: 82

    GasGas300
    Member

  5. deucemac
    Joined: Aug 31, 2008
    Posts: 1,675

    deucemac
    Member

    The bent spoke wheel is a Kelsy Hayes. Ford never made a bent spoke wheel. It could be Motor Wheel unit. I forgot the spoke count on on each of them.
     
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  6. rusty valley
    Joined: Oct 25, 2014
    Posts: 4,507

    rusty valley
    Member

    Dodge had some wheels similar too. Buicks usually had big holes for big studs
     
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  7. Outback
    Joined: Mar 4, 2005
    Posts: 4,030

    Outback
    Member
    from NE Vic, Oz

    how wide are these rims? & they are early Ford pattern?
     
  8. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 23,462

    alchemy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    But, it was not made by K-H or Motorwheel for a Ford. The ones made for Fords had the same shape wheel centers as the regular Fords, and took a stock Ford hubcap.

    I never knew a Buick of that era had the same bolt pattern as Ford. Neat to know.
     
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  9. richard noble
    Joined: Dec 30, 2024
    Posts: 153

    richard noble

    You’re right on the studs, Buick did have a specialty 9/16”stud for the heavy cars while the rest were 1/2” stud the same as early Ford. Good call….
     
  10. richard noble
    Joined: Dec 30, 2024
    Posts: 153

    richard noble

    Alchemy is right on the black wheels, they are stock Ford 1932 18”. Concerning the Buick wheel, is it an 18” or 17”? the 17” would be a 1933 Buick, both are 40 spoke with 5-5 1/5” bolt pattern.
     
    Carter and 5window like this.
  11. 3blapcam
    Joined: Jul 15, 2004
    Posts: 748

    3blapcam
    Member

    What are the 16" "bent spokes" that people Jones over? I always figured they were Ford but only a certain year or something... I prefer the regular '35 straight-spoked wheels myself.

    3blap.
     
  12. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 23,462

    alchemy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Both Kelsey Hayes and Motorwheel made bent spoke wheels in 16”. Either is popular.
     
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  13. 3blapcam
    Joined: Jul 15, 2004
    Posts: 748

    3blapcam
    Member

    Yeah, I guess I knew KH made them, but what did they come on?

    3blap.
     
  14. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 23,462

    alchemy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    They came on a pallet to the loading dock of the Ford dealership that sold you the upgrade. Not a production car, factory installed item.
     
  15. 3blapcam
    Joined: Jul 15, 2004
    Posts: 748

    3blapcam
    Member

    Ahhh... OK. I didn't know they were doing that back then! That's cool!

    Thanks for the insight...

    3blap.
     

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