Yep, my favorite wheel because I grew up with them. Here is a pic of replated original 15x4's with 4.5 bolt pattern and orignal NOS 15x10's I have. The original 4's and 10's are totally different from the ones available today from Cragar. Original ones have different cap, spoked are more rounded and the kickup on the rims is more toward the center plus now the skinnies are 4.5 wide and the originals used a silvery grey paint in the lug nut pocket-something I have to do yet to replicate on the 15x4's.. Finally if you compare the original Cragar chrome is is whiter than todays chrome due to chrome shops having to change formulas due to epa purposes. I found a shop that did at the time have the older chrome and was able to get several sets of 4's done for spares and have several sets of nos 10's to keep me supplied. Todays chrome has a darker blue or brownish tint to it. If you want the correct color today you will have to send them to China or Mexico.
Damn, that is some dedication, getting those early Cragars refinished. Looks like it payed off. I love Cragars. They looked great on my '40 Ford tudor in high school. And they still look great on Anything from the sixties. Just like any wheel. They have their place. I would never bolt a set of Cragars on something like Ryan's 'A' coupe. Wouldn't look right. But then, a set of bent spokes on blackwalls would look weird on a lowered '62 Impala, too.
They're okay, I had a set many, many years ago on a black '64 Galaxie 500 XL. That being said, I'm no longer into chrome for it's own sake. They'd be okay on the front (only) of a vintage type drag car or hot rod, but that's about it IMO. They are a nice enough looking wheel but I've always been a gray spoke man, when it comes to 5 spoke wheels. I'd kill for a set of real Halibrand gray five-spokes.
Cool wheels, especially when dragcar-sized. However the line is fine, when they're painted cause of peeling chrome, suddenly become the queerest wheel ever.
You're welcome and you did ask for opinion and got one, didn't you? There's no hatred there. You just took it that way. No worries.
Cragars are timeless... I bought a set for my elky when I was 18... car got wrecked...but kept the wheels... They were something different on a 3rd gen Camaro. Some people really liked them other's not so much. Sorry for newer cars but just offering a variety with Cragars on them... Maybe they just look good on shiny black cars..
Why everybody saying that wide white on Cragars is a no no? Just use skinny white on those, why? I think that wide whites looks real badass on both Cragars and Supremes.
In the case of the top pic. not so bad...to me. but, they are not the "SS" wheels, of seventies fame, and look more like TQ thrust, or Astro so...ehhh...different strokes for different folks, thats all...
I have them on my 56 F100 right now but they are soon coming off as the offset won't work with the new IFS/IRS that I am installing. If some local SoCal guys have an interest shoot me a PM...
This is a four door wagon...also...I bit of a different story...though two door wagons still beat four door wagons, in an even fight!
I can't believe this is even a question. Cragars will always be cool. Here's mine: (I know, same old tired picture) I won't bore anyone with my well preferences though.....like how wide whites don't look good on any "windowed" wheel....blah, blah, blah
They were kool in the '70's, the '80's and the '90's.....why not now? Keep the kool-ness roll'in. KNUX!
Cragars have a classic look that has stood the test of time. from customs to lowriders, hot rods and muscel cars. mighty fine looking wheel.
It only matters what you like. But like most people have been saying, it takes a certain application. They can look very cool on the right car and down right terrable on another.
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