avideo

I am considering changing the wheels on my 1966 Convertible. I currently have the factory stock 15 x 6 inch steel wheels and the correct 1966 factory wheel covers. Basically, the wheels covers and stock wheels are getting to the point where they need to be refurbished if I want to keep them on the car. I have Michelin white wall tires on the car that are 5 years old. They are P-205/75/15 and provide a great ride.
My plan is to eventually refurbish the factory wheel covers and wheels over the winter and replace them with a set of Cragar SS wheels. Cragar makes a 15X7 inch wheel with a 4 inch backspace that looks like it might fit my tires okay. Will there be any issues if I move
up to the one inch wider rims and use my existing tires?

Vet65te

If you went up to 7 inch rims you might be actually moving 'up' by 1.5 inches and not just one inch. I believe the stock steel wheels in 66 were only 5.5 inches with the KO's the only wheel that was 6-inches in width in '66.

As for putting those 205's on a 7-inch wide rim, they might fit but they might not look right since that's a relatively narrow tire being stretched to fit a fairly wide rim.

Mike T.

LB66383

As I understand it, the problem with the Cragar SS wheel is that the spokes will hit the brake calipers. So you need to run spacers for clearance. That effectively decreases the backspacing, so you may need 4-1/2" backspacing on the wheels so you don't get fender interference.

macs65

I went with 17X7 American Racing Wheels. The spokes/wheels are designed to accept calipers, no problems with clearance anywhere part # 515-7761. The also make 15X7 wheels.

Bluestripe67

If you want the correct visual effect that looks period correct, turn the white walls in. Chrome or alum. wheels won't look good with WW's out. Dennis

avideo

For a couple hundred dollars more I can custom order a set of Cragar SS wheels in the 15X6 size with a 4 1/8 inch backspacing. Of course, there is no return on the order, but it should fit easily.

Viking427

..and then you'll have a set of "custom" sized Cragars (ie. limited resale appeal) that you'll be into for $780 and trying to unload next year. For $150 less, you could get the American Racing TT-D 15x6, p/n VN1055661 that you/we know will fit without issues and have an easier time reselling them (standard offset/backspacing) next year to the C1/C2, F-body, A-body crowd looking for a vintage style wheel ..just an option.

avideo

And refurbish the original wheels and hub caps; so I have the choice of two sets of wheels to use on the car.
And a good friend from my old Corvette Club who owns a machine shop is going to remove the Cragar logo on a set of tri-bar spinners and insert the C2 Hubcap Emblems in their place - giving me a custom look wheel.