Looking to see if any sets of the original Halibrand magnesium knock off wheels that were used on the SR2 and other cars from 1955-59 exist, and what they would command for a price? And also, is there a source for the Firestone super sports tires they would normally be paired with? I am aware they are repro imitations available for the wheels. This is a shot of a spare tire from a vintage racer and would like to find some of these.

 

Any Halibrand piece from the Culver City era commands a premium price. If you can even find a set of those wheels and tires, I'd expect the cost to be in the tens of thousands of dollars.

 

Just putting the word out that I want to buy a set if I don't have to sell my house to get some.

 

You could probably have those made from aluminum from one of the custom wheel manufactures. Price would be expensive to do but probably save in time trying to find originals and the price to acquire them.

 

Not to mention avoiding all of the problems associated with 60+ year old magnesium wheels would be alleviated.

 

Specifically cracking, which can be aggravated by corrosion.

 

Not to mention they can catch fire easily and burn fast and hot.

 

Well, unfortunately, since Photobucket has hijacked many people's pictures, including all of mine (a LOT!), I can't post pictures of the early-late Halibrand wheels. I had some EXCELLENT pictures of the early (short spokes) and late (long, stronger spokes) Halibrand REAL magnesium wheels and the later production wheels. When I posted MANY pictures on Photobucket I never dreamed they would eventually be hijacked, so I did not post them on my hard drive. Oh well-----------------------------------------------
The wheel above appears (as I remember) to be the later stronger long spoke version.
I presume that those who are familiar with original style Halibrands are also aware that they required special front hubs and rear axles that had the threaded portion for the knock off spinners (totally different from 63-later knock off hub adapters).

 

I’ve seen a very good reproduction knock off custom made one on eBay for about $1700 apiece.

 

Have not seen any true knock off reproductions in 15 inch.

 

Look here, somewhat close and a true knockoff.
http://www.etmags.com/sebring.html

 

Here is a 56-57 I saw at Road America 2 years ago.
These are bolt on's, but the spline drive lug nuts look like drive pins.

 

EVOD Industries can most likely duplicate the wheel and provide a finish to simulate magnesium.
My guess is you would be in the 6 to 8K price range though.

 

Had a chance to buy complete set of original magnesium wheels and axles etc about 20 years ago but passed. Had PS Engineering make these wheels for me later, unfortunately he is no longer in business,.

 

I sold my new set of PSE Halibrand style real knock offs last year. Wish I had kept them..................like everything else I sell.

 

Those sure are purdy, Rex!

 

So it appears that these early wheels used special axles with adapters for the knock off and 5 pin wheels? They are not like the repros that bolt to your wheel studs. Anyone with information and/or pictures please chime in.

 

No adapters that I'm aware of. The axles and hubs I've seen were manufactured with the threaded snouts such that the KO wheels fit directly on them.

Jim

 

The earliest Halibrand wheels were magnesium and had short spokes which were prone to cracking. The later wheels had longer spokes and were somewhat stronger. There were 5 holes on the back side which did not go all the way through.
As already mentioned, the front hubs were unique for Halibrand wheels and had threaded centers for a knock off spinner. Instead of a grease cap on for the hole in the hub, the Halibrand hubs had a cap similar to a welch plug which was retained with a snap ring. There were NO adapters. The rear axles were also unique. Instead of a short pilot in the center of the wheel flange, there was a long threaded center for the knock off spinner. Also, the wheel flange of the rear axles had 5 plain studs that WERE NOT threaded. There were axles for the 56 rear axle housing (56 Sebring cars and 56 SRI cars) and axles for 57-62 cars (because regular 56 and 57-62 axles are completely different). The yellowish wheel below is an early (short spokes) Halibrand and the wheel with the longer spokes is the later stronger version.
The white car below is one of the original 56 Sebring prepared race cars which is now owned by a dear friend of mine. He also owns the wheels below as well as the bronze 56 SRI and blue 57 SRII car. All have Halibrand wheels.



































This blue SRII is the VERY LITTLE KNOWN 4th SRII car. It is known as the McLean SR2. And it is built with "left over" CHEVROLET MANUFACTURED SRII parts! When Chevrolet cancelled the SR project, there had already been several SRII parts manufactured. Bob McLean was one of the engineers on the SR project. He collected some of the left over parts and assembled the 4tth SRII (which VERY FEW people even know about). SOOOOOOOOOO, this is a true SRII car, but just assembled by one of the Chevy engineers rather than by Chevrolet. As added information, it has a CHEVROLET (NOT aftermarket) 350 alum engine and a Rochester FI unit that I modified and built.

 

Very 😎 Cool
Thanks