Wire wheels experience....?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,777
Likes: 4,592
From: Canada's capital
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Wire wheels experience....?
I've always loved the classic look of old jags and ferraris with wire wheels, but have no experience with them. Looking at truespoke, Dayton, etc., direct bolt on type. Pros and cons, and photos, thanks alot.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,340
Likes: 2,716
From: Close to DC
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
Had a set of Cragar real spokes on my '74 Grand Am in in the '80's. Looked beautiful when clean and polished. Keeping them clean and polished on a car you drive every day was a PITA!!! Sold them and put poverty caps on. 
Dennis
Dennis
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 611
Likes: 0
From: Fontana California
I agree with Bluestripe67. Had wires on my 1971 and 1961. Look great, but now my first joint knuckles of my fingers are damaged goods from the polishing.
I have used the spray on, wash off, no streaks, sprays, but they didn't do that well. But again, it has been some time since I had wire wheels, so maybe today the cleaning has become easier.
I have used the spray on, wash off, no streaks, sprays, but they didn't do that well. But again, it has been some time since I had wire wheels, so maybe today the cleaning has become easier.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,606
Likes: 210
From: Nevada City Ca.
2015 C1 of Year
I like my 1955 original GM accessory wheels , what do you think?
reading your Bio you have 10 bikes ,mine is a 1955 Corvette bike
or my other bike
reading your Bio you have 10 bikes ,mine is a 1955 Corvette bike
or my other bike
Last edited by 1955 copper; Oct 20, 2009 at 12:28 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,606
Likes: 210
From: Nevada City Ca.
2015 C1 of Year
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Wires all the Way
I saw your teardrop trailer and its a neat piece..Looks like your stuck on wire wheels too....
the freedeom machine [ie] Softtail Heritage Classic, bike, and the Vette..you got it all covered...
I pull my drag boat and actually the race car on the wall in the picture....my idea is ride in style, why leave them home, thats what there for and why you have them...
the freedeom machine [ie] Softtail Heritage Classic, bike, and the Vette..you got it all covered...
I pull my drag boat and actually the race car on the wall in the picture....my idea is ride in style, why leave them home, thats what there for and why you have them...
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13
In the end it depends on what you like most. As it should be.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,777
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From: Canada's capital
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Well said, Mike from Houston, those borranis just stick in my head, waiting to win the lottery. Sold my XK140 FHC project with 16in. wires 10 years ago. Members who think Corvette parts are pricey should check out a few imported classics.
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Last edited by Kerrmudgeon; Oct 20, 2009 at 11:48 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,474
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From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13
I heard a 250 GT California Spyder I did work on back in late 80s sold for 5 million. It was worth 600K before it's nut and bolt restoration. (Not my work)
Kinda like Polo. Sport of Kings.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 554
Likes: 0
From: ny
I'll let you know soon, I like the look so much I bought a set of five truespokes a year before I got my 57. Just waiting for time and cash for some new rubber and then will mount them on it and post some pics.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,402
Likes: 44
From: Arlington Tx
St. Jude Donor '08
I saw a '54 with wires a while back. It really set it off. A couple of my friends have wires on their 59s. They look cool. One of them swapped the wires for wheels with caps a week ago and took best of show out of maybe 90 cars?? I like the hubcaps better.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 1
From: Sarasota FL
My 57 came with a set of 54 Buick Skylark Kelsey-Hayes wires already on - and they'd been on since at least 1963! A real PITA to keep "flossed" but geez, they look great when clean!
Back in 1963:
Back in 1963:
Last edited by SebringBill; Oct 22, 2009 at 12:12 AM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Canada's capital
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Bill, that's exactly the look that I want, the classic American heavy crosslaced spoke feel. Have they given you any problems other than the cleaning? I think the new repo ones have polished stainless spokes to alleviate this. Do you know who sells them?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,159
Likes: 64
From: Nichols Florida
Old Daytons on a midyear.
http://deliquescence.net/~tyler/misc1/66wire4.jpg
The chrome was not too good and rechrome was $400 per wheel so I had them powdercoated with a chrome looking finished for $60 per wheel. The old wheel are for drum brakes and putting them on a disc brake car involves use of spacers and longer studs.
Tyler
http://deliquescence.net/~tyler/misc1/66wire4.jpg
The chrome was not too good and rechrome was $400 per wheel so I had them powdercoated with a chrome looking finished for $60 per wheel. The old wheel are for drum brakes and putting them on a disc brake car involves use of spacers and longer studs.
Tyler
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: If I say it's safe to surf this beach ......then it's safe to surf this beach
This is an old pic I've posted before, taken at an Eckler's Reunion a long time ago. I don't know anything specific about these wheels other than they look great on this nice '64.......
