It´s about time to get rid of the centerlines my 56 came with. I had lots of time to think about what might look good because of a very tight budget I´ve had back then. For the last couple of years most of my money went into the new paint, an airride plus rear suspension,a hopped up 327 and a ****** rebuild. But now, as the essential stuff is done, I´m gonna work out the details. I ´m thinking of 15" 5 spokes and skinny whites, but I´m clueless about if I should go with Torque Trusts, Crager S/S´s, Astro Supremes,... or are chrome reversed steelies plus a set of wide whites the way to go? What would you do if it was your car? I´m also thinking of adding a 58 Impala roof louver ( right name?) the 56´s roof. The 58 Impala´s have quite low roof lines so I´m uncertain if a louver like that would flow the higher roof lines of a 56 sedan roof? What do you think? Chris
Adding an Impala roof scoop when you have already painted the car, that would be like sending the paint money right into the sink. The roof scoop would not add so much charachter, no, it wont look good... But Astros with narrow white wall would be a good additon! Maybe some new taillight lenses too? and you´ll have a nice mild custom. How about 56 Lincolns? See below
Thanks RPW ! I never took a closer look at the 56 taillights ´cause I thought they were too odd to make anything else fit. Good idea!That´s an all new point of view to me. The only problem I see is how to get access to the gas filler behind the driver´s side taillight when the lens fully covers the taillight housing? Is there a trick?
[ QUOTE ] say good bye to the centerlines [/ QUOTE ] That´s what I´m about to do. That´s why I asked for opinions regarding the future wheel/tire combo...
I liket he car as it sits, but can understand wanting to do something different. If you are going to run a mag style wheel with whitewalls I would recommend a Radir or astro supreme, in my opinion not many mag wheels look good with white walls.
I vote body-colored steelies, spiders, thin trim rings, and 2.5-inch whitewalls. I feel that's "50s style"... "60s style" would be more like Supremes with thick or thin whites. "70s style" would be more like Americans or Cragars with blackwalls or (gulp) raised white letters. I dig an "early compe***ion" flavor myself, like Halibrands with cheaters and skinnies, but that's me. You sound like you're headed toward more of a "custom" look - which is totally cool too. There are SO many Tri-Fives out there, I'd look around until I saw one that nailed the look you were after. It makes no sense to try and re-invent the wheel (pun intended) under your '56. Search the Net, the mags, and the shows until you see a look that moves your soul, then get the dimensions and such from the owner. Someone has already done all the homework for you; take advantage of the fact you have such a popular car! Scotch!~
How about a set of wide whites on steel rims with '56 Olds flipper wheel covers? Here's an example: It would probably be a little less expensive to do this than any mag wheel combo.
whitewalls and hubcaps are always a safe bet if you want a traditional look. How about a set of chrome reverse wheels with no caps.... thou this is a 58, here is your colors with blackrims and small caps
I like Chris' idea. You dont see as many cars with full caps these days but if you look in the little pages EVERY car had em!?
like others said,i would definetly go with wide whites (6.00 or maybe 5.60 X 15's) and full wheelcovers. ive seen a 56 with caddy sombreros that looked killer! or maybe some lancers. i agree with the person that said it fits the vibe of your car better.im definetly feeling the 1956-1959 vibe with that color combo. one other killer combo which i plan on getting one day if i ever have some spare cash would be wide whites with chrome oem steel wheels,i personally think they would look killer on your ride and would let you fit in in either 50's or 60's style. maybe post a clear side shot so some of the photoshop guys can try them on for you before you buy? here's my 56 on 14"astros & pinner whites
Chris! Your pic hit me like a big fat hammer! Right in my soft spot!That´s the way I like it I already have the steelies, all I need now is a set of wide whites. I´ve been searching the web for sources of www´s and I came over radials from Dayton /w a 2 3/4 " whitewall. I´ve never heard of them yet .Are they ok or of rather questionable quality? Anyone has them? I remember there was a post some time ago about coker vs. diamondbacks, are daytons any better than the cokers?
****, your 56 is perfect! The astros are great with the metalflake paint and flames combo. Here´s the side shot
Chris, I gotta tell you, I love your car. The wheels and tires will make the best change. The reverse chromie and www idea would be my vote. Other than that, fab car. The stance is outstanding.
Chris - The picture of the '56 Chevy I posted was scanned from a Petersen Publications book ***led Grease Machines. It's a compilation of cars from their old magazine archives. So, Tman is correct. It's not my car! Here's my car:
[ QUOTE ] The only problem I see is how to get access to the gas filler behind the driver´s side taillight when the lens fully covers the taillight housing? Is there a trick? [/ QUOTE ] The gas filler gets modified to fill from inside the trunk. I think a hole needs to be cut in the inside side panel. Not sure if your local vehicle inspectors are going to go for it though. Chrome wheels with WWW's or Cragers or Astros with skinny whites, WWWs were "out" by the time the latter two came along.
Chris- your car rules! Especially the wheel /tire combo! DrJ, I just won´t tell the inspectors what I did I suppose that 95% of them have never seen a 56 Chevy in real life, so , how should they know what was stock and what not back then? When they asked for the airride last time I told them it had only been availible on fully optioned cars... They were ok with it.. Sometimes you have to bend the truth a bit to make it fit. So, anyone knows something about Dayton www´s?
I like the idea of chrome reverse or spider caps on steelies. For some reason they both look great on those tri-fives. Here's what a lee lense would look like. Maybe you could make an electric actuator or hood pull to open the filler door.
cool photoshop Mai Ki-Ki !! -- gives a great look to your 56 --- I vote for radir ! -- of course the expensive way
Chris I bought this parts car from a guy in Waveland, MS two years ago, he had a 55 and 56 Merc parts cars in about the same shape 228-467-0140 Sorry about the post hijack though I like the wheel set up on my parts car. Judd Judd
Thanks for your help guys! I ´msure now. I ´ll go with wide whites and steelies. But I´m still not sure which brand tire I should take. I´d like to have radials since it´s a fendered car and I guess it won´t harm the looks. What is a good source for ww´s?
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