Looking for pictures of different kinds of wheels on 63 galaxies. In the market for some different wheels than the slots mine has. Different sizes to, 15s,16s,17s
I don't have pics, but was looking to replace my hubcaps on my 63 Galaxie as well. I was thinking either Torq Thrusts, Chromies, or American has a retro salt flats style mag out now that looks cool. I'll be watching this thread as well!
Steel wheels out back w piecrusts ( painted black its for the car in your avatar )and some cool period 5 spokes i.e american, ET, Radars etc in a cast grey or magnesium finish
Perhaps not entirely HAMB-compliant, but American Racing 'style 427' Halibrand-knockoffs, 18x8 in front and 18x10 in back (tire OD stock 27in, in person the sidewall height looks fine.) Never mind the ride height, this pic has blocks on the front bumpstops and the rear's completely unloaded, final ride height's going to be near-stock.
i was on craigslist today and seen a set of newer mustang mach 1 wheels i think 03, they were polished and had tires for 600, they will bolt right on tho the galaxie no prob and look like the american racing torque thrusts in a 17
They've got significantly more offset than a stock early wheel, to get them out where they're supposed to be you'll need about a 3/4-1in adapter/spacer. Personally, another problem with the late-model wheels is that since they're built for significant (24mm-40mm, depending on the year) positive offset they just don't have any dish to them.
Someone here has a light blue Gal with a perfect combo. I hope he posts because I have 360 subs and can't find it. BTW my wife has the perfect combo for the 63 Galaxie. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
That pic is also still missing the spinner-look center caps. The front tires are 245/45-18s and it took a certain amount of subtle front fender work to get those to clear at full lock (now I'm changing the game again, swapping in some shorter tubular UCAs but it shouldn't cause a problem) but still let me keep the side spear. The '61-63 cars have bigger fender openings and less trouble with tire size (at least to the fender, if not to the sway bar, etc.) I bought these originally: they're 18x9 S197 Mustang 'Bullitt' clones (Chinese as it turned out, of course), but... a) The 255/45-18 front tires and wider wheels were hopeless when it came to fender clearance on a '64, even with the fender massaged below and around the spear. b) The load rating cast into them was IMO marginal for a 4000+lb big-block Galaxie (I'd call them marginal for a near-4000lb S197 Mustang, too...) c) They had good 'dish' (the spokes curve back pretty heavily) but the lack of a visible drop-center in the rim made the wheels look just a little too 'modern' for my tastes. That's a 13.5in Merc ML55 disc rotor behind the wheel...these things had good caliper clearance but the AR 427s have bugger-all, so I need much deeper rotor hats now...
The rear tires are 285/40-18s, I can only speak for my wagon (it's been a very long time since I've had my head inside a sedan/coupe wheelwell of that vintage) but with the right offset I've got plenty of room, no fenderwell work in back.
I'll keep that in mind. I'm just trying to see what different wheels look like on them. I wonder how 17s would look in thar style
These are the "real" 17" Mustang Bullitts, obviously not on a Gal here, this is my 428 Bird, but I have a second set that's either going on the ragtop or my '69 FE-powered Ranchero GT. They do require spacers to work with early iron, especially on the front of the Bird with those big brakes
The problem I had with 17s was that there were no tires of the quality I wanted to use in a size that'd give me at or close to 27in diameter in 15s, 16s, or 17s any more. I might have preferred not to go to 18s (though I wouldn't have quite so much room for brakes) but I tried some 26in diameter tires (255/50-16) on the car and it just didn't look right.
Here's a photo of 15" Fenton Hawks that I had on a project '63. I had 15" Cragars & skinny whitewalls on it for a while too, but can't seem to find any photos.
What kind of vibe are you looking for? Those Gals can morph from hot street racer look to stock car to low rider dependent upon the wheel choice. I actually think they look great with slots, sitting low with wide tires up front and wider in the rear! (like what MeanGene posted, 'cept slots).
At one point I ran '01 Bullitt 17's on my Bulletbird. Spacers in front and skirts in the rear, no rubbing. Now running 15" Torq-thrust.
Well original plan was was torque thrust ds in a 16. I want a classic hot rod look like a hint of modern. Then I was thinking 15s. I don't want 20s and all billit. After all I'm driving this car not trailering it. I don't want polished wheels either.
If you're trying to get a good driving combo and don't necessarily need to cram every inch of the fender you might try the Goodyear RS-A Crown Vic 225/60-16 '03ish cop-car size (or alternately a Bridgestone RE960 in the same size), on a 16x7 or 16x8 wheel - lots of decent choices in those sizes. Right diameter, shouldn't be too much trouble to make fit, more grip than most Galaxie suspensions can use, enough sidewall for decent ride quality. Caveat: I haven't tried that combo on a Galaxie (though I've had both of those tire models - not in that size - on other cars with reasonable results.)
Torque Thrust front 215-70..rear 265-60..BFG http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/album.php?albumid=4736&pictureid=41770
Gene I have seen a couple of picks of your HDTP and never noticed that you were running pop bottles. Those look real good friend.
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