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Thanks.
The wheels are pretty old, rare, expensive, and no longer being made. I have never seen any this size before, but then again they are 3 piece and anyone can make some any size they want with different lips and barrels. I just happened to get lucky and saw them listed on my local craigslist for a steal of a deal. Here are a couple more photos. First one is my wheels as I was reassembling them and the second is another example with the original center caps. I never got the center caps with them and the off chance they can be found they would cost me near the price I paid for the wheels. So no center caps for me, besides I like them a little better without.
Lowered on front and rear VBP Fiberglass springs along with a few other suspension pieces in the package have radically transformed the car's ability to handle corners. The ability to really dial in any ride height and having the ability to easily adjust from soft cruising to stiffer, more serious, corner carving ability quickly revealed the limitations of the 15 in BFG rubber the car wore on it's stock wheels. After the new suspension was in and set up the old 15" 255/60/15 gave way to the 17" wheels and tires on the car in this picture.........today the rubber width is the same as before but a more modern Z rated 255/50/17" tire with stiffer side walls just helps the car stay planted in the corners in a way the old rubber simply couldn't. The car isn't going racing and doesn't come close to the really serious looking set ups in this thread but it's light years better than before and the ability to get around corners with confidence is dramatically improved on this set up. The American racing wheels are a nice throw back in styling to the old Cragar SS wheels that so many cars in the 1970s had when owners swapped out the steel wheels and hub caps.
Finally got her lowered and on the road. Billet Specialties front 17 x 9.5 with 275/40/17s and rears 17 x 11 with 315/35/17s
I like this look. I've often wondered if I could pull off the side pipe look on a car without chrome bumpers. This makes me want to think about side pipes. Looks really good. Post again when you get the bumpers on it. Side pipes are an easy choice for cars like yours from '68-'73.
I like this look. I've often wondered if I could pull off the side pipe look on a car without chrome bumpers. This makes me want to think about side pipes. Looks really good. Post again when you get the bumpers on it. Side pipes are an easy choice for cars like yours from '68-'73.
You don't need chrome bumpers to pull it off. Chrome wheels may help though.
You don't need chrome bumpers to pull it off. Chrome wheels may help though.
It was a BIG STEP for me to go with the American Racing wheels.......I always believed in the general rule of thumb from back in the day when there were a whole lot more cars with chrome bumpers on the road. When the split between cars with modern bumper systems and there painted coverings vs. chrome was more evenly split......someone said a line that stuck with me. "Aluminum and painted wheels for new cars and chrome wheels for the old cars with chrome bumpers.
Obviously this no longer applies (assuming it ever did)....even the manufacturers put chrome wheels on cars when they are brand new.
Still.....I have this preconceived idea, right or wrong, that gets in the way of the decision. I'm thinking maybe stainless.....even when polished it's not quite so flashy. I do like the on you car.
There are chrome and stainless steel pieces all over some of the early non-bumper cars. I also have a chrome luggage rack that looks great on the rear deck (contrary to some naysayers ) and holds my t-tops/baggage. Anyway, all C3's were made to look great with side pipes and will not detract whatsoever from these beautiful cars.
Here are a couple pictures of mine. 15x10 US Indy Mag slots with 3.5" back spacing all around. Tires are 265/50R15 on all four. I intend to add flares, but only the fronts rub a little.
Enkei (SP?) 15" x 9.5" with 3 1/8" backspacing (guessing on thickness of lip).
Car came with 265-50 15 on all four, which looked great. But with about 1" clearance between the exhaust pipes and roadway, throwing sparks at night on the freeway was getting worrisome, I upsized the rears to 295 to gain a bit of height (to better fill the wheelwell) and adjusted the spring bolts. It almost works okay (except worrisome front rub, which did not occur when the rear was lower) but needs less slippery tires.
Finally got it done... AR TTO 8,5 x 15 with 235/70/15 (back), 225/70/15 (front) . And yes, they do NOT clear the original brake calippers. I had to get the backside of the spokes from each wheel machined (notched) partially 2.5mm, and I had to use front/back 5mm hub centric spacers that i had custom made by SCC (German Wheel Adapter/Spacer manufacturer). I also used Extended thread lug nuts. So in order for the TTO's to fit with a early C3 you Need an additional 7,5mm of space. Some may say why didnt you use 8mm spacers all around to begin with. Well, I didnt want for the wheels to stick out too far. Thats just my taste... It turned out nice I think, here are some Pictures... I really dig the vintage look!
Finally got it done... AR TTO 8,5 x 15 with 235/70/15 (back), 225/70/15 (front) . And yes, they do NOT clear the original brake calippers. I had to get the backside of the spokes from each wheel machined (notched) partially 2.5mm, and I had to use front/back 5mm hub centric spacers that i had custom made by SCC (German Wheel Adapter/Spacer manufacturer). I also used Extended thread lug nuts. So in order for the TTO's to fit with a early C3 you Need an additional 7,5mm of space. Some may say why didnt you use 8mm spacers all around to begin with. Well, I didnt want for the wheels to stick out too far. Thats just my taste... It turned out nice I think, here are some Pictures... I really dig the vintage look!
09-18-2016, 04:44 AM
Post again when you get the bumpers on it. Side pipes are an easy choice for cars like yours from '68-'73.
)....even the manufacturers put chrome wheels on cars when they are brand new.
) and holds my t-tops/baggage. Anyway, all C3's were made to look great with side pipes and will not detract whatsoever from these beautiful cars. 
