A few months back I picked up 2 different Model A rolling chassis and just recently started going over them to figure out what I have. Just this past week I started tearing into the two to swap the parts I want to keep, and to sort out the parts I'll be taking to the swap meet next weekend. I didn't pay attention to the wheels when I bought all of this stuff, as I'm not well versed in what's what when it comes to early wires, but I soon came to realize that 1 of the wire wheels I have is a '35 16" wire, and 3 of the wheels appear to be a Model A center on 16" rims. Was this ever offered as an optional wheel or aftermarket or is this some old home made hot rod shit? I'm confused.
It is my understanding that during WW II is was difficult to get any tires especially odd sizes like 19 inch and people did this to be able to use 16 inch tires. A good question for fordbarn. Charlie Stephens
There was a jig sold that helped welding shops do this so they're pretty common. The taller tires were hard to get post-war.
About 2 years ago I bought two 16" tires at a swap meet and they were both mounted on 16" Model A wheels just like you pictured. I figured they were home modified but it was a nice job. I never used the wheels, just the tires so I don't know how true they were.
I never knew there was a jig made for shops to do this conversion. I always just figured it was ingenuity and resourcefulness.
I found someone with a single wheel for sale that matches my set of 3, so I've struck a deal to have a matching set of 4. Who knows if I'll actually use them, but that's a decision for another time.
I have picked up quite a few of those for a friend of mine. He runs them on his '29 pickup. Seems the huge majority of them are '28-'29 with only a very few '30-'31 like you posted, at least that I have found. Dave
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