It is time for new tires, so I'm thinking of also changing wheels too. I've seen some pretty interesting combinations on here, and just wanted to solicit some input, as I'm having trouble deciding for myself...I would really like to hear what other wheels (or caps) people think would look on this car. Any suggestions for whee/tire combos would be great. Currently the car has Centerlines with 225/60/15 up front, 235/60/15 rear. In the (near?) future I'd like to lower the rear to level the car out a little. I want to go with 15" or 16" wheels. Thanks!
'56-'57 Plymouth hubcaps/wheel discs. They look sorta like a pointy moon disc. Traditional mild custom for that car... American five spokes or Crager SS if you stick with the "race" look.
There it is, in black and white. I dig your photoshop with the caps, I dig your avatar with the Radir on it, either of those would look great, but I agree that the painted grille has gotta go if you're going to run WWW's.
that's baumi's 56 - he had the same wheels like you astros & skinny ?? --now he's running steelies wit some ply/dodge hubcaps and www's -- for sure he will find this treat -- don't have a pic - for sure has some
If it was mine: chrome grille, WWWs, chrome wheels w dog dish caps. If you like the painted grille, the wheels should be something rowdier with a lot of mechanical detail: Halibrands or Real Wheels with knockoffs, or maybe raw American TQs (machined rims, dark centers).
Thanks for all the input! The chrome grille thing totally makes sense, I never could figure out why the hubcaps just never looked right. Now if I could only figure out how to photoshop the paint into chrome... What are "dog dish" caps? Here are (too many) photoshops: As is: HubCaps Painted steel w/Drag ET front Radir (satin) Radir satin w/ET
Sorry for the photo overload...it's late, and I got carried away! I figured out how to photoshop a grill back in!! What is it, 1am PST?... Caps with the chrome front end - WOW, what a difference! I found this one way back on the HAMB, I think it's from Paso Mine in profile view: As is Halibrands (not my best photochop...)
Wow, the chrome reverse and blackwalls have a definite "Bob Falfa" look. Keep the "California RAKE" get the new narrow radir cheater slicks and mount with the whitewall in. (remember-narrow rims up front wide in back)If you went with new radirs, the best part about the wheels is that they are available in narrow and wide widths. Chrome reverse wheels out back and narrow radirs up front would look great also. you could then remove the grille insert and place a polished moon tank to solve that problem. And Dump tubes! either one behind each wheel and 2-4-6-or 8 scavenger tipped pipes out the back. Then you can tell the dork you ain't nobody! p.s. redlines would really go-go great with that color purple, dad!
I know I am a newbie; however, I agree with DrJ. I have a good friend with a 55 Chevy and he swears by Crager SS wheels with BF Goodrich Radial TAs, white letter out (the old style bubble letter white letter tires). I know it has been done ALOT, but why not stick with something that is proven? BTW, your car is AWSOME! Anything you put on it will look good.
Thanks for all the input so far. I'm still trying to figure out what to do with the wheels on my car...I photoshopped some more Halibrands (AR Salt Flats) on it. I think I am down to the Halibrands or steelies. After getting a lot of suggestions, I looked into rechroming the front end, and it is bucks! Damn near $2k. But new chrome and steelies is probably not that much more expensive than big diameter Halibrand type wheels and tires... Halibrands 15" Halibrands - 16" front, 17" rear
It really depends on the (period) look you want. '50's, '60's, race, hot rod, custom? There's a lot of great choices here. Actually, I really like the simplistist look of the chrome reverse. Great lloking car and it lends itself well to a lot of the options. I do agree about the grille. '50's cars should have chrome.