Okay I been told that my 19" Model A metal wire wheels will not hold up to a power of a V-8... I like the look of a front wired wheel. Any suggestions what I should be looking for? Type of wheel I have:
What kind of car are you planning on putting wire wheels on? There are many aftermarket wheels available, you don't need to try to use unsafe old junk.
Hey, hey, young man! Your original post indicated you had Model T wheels which are rolled bead 21" wheels similar but much weaker than the 21" Model A wheels which followed them. That said, I still would not recommend any Model T or Model A wheel, especially the 21"ers for use on a hot rod. Think about 16"s(35 only) first, or even 17"(33-34) or 18"(32only) iof you must. Just be sure they are straight, no cracks in the rims or hubs, especially look for good lug nut holes, no wallowing or egging, and the rims/beads are not pitted through.
Of course some bent spoke Kelsey Hayes are alot more stought than standard Ford fare, but can get pricey pretty fast.
Havent you ever saw those old spots from movies/TV- where they crash those model A's? Id bet they are tougher than you think!
For evidence of the strength of Ford welded spoke wheels see the following from the 1934 Chicago World Fair. The text is from the original brochure, the image is a drawing but I have seen an actual photo, just can't locate it on the web. "Three Ford V-8 cars suspended from a single Ford V-8 wheel is one of the spectacular features of the Ford Exposition. The wheel used is of standard one piece, welded-steel construction such as is found on any new Ford car. Tests show that the wheel has strength sufficient to support the weight of fourteen Ford V-8's." This doesn't mean these wheels, and the Model A welded wire wheels, cannot be cracked, have broken welds or other defects that render them unfit for use; but if they are sound then use them.
The Jalopy Journal
