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Wire wheels

Started by Bill Renda, January 26, 2018, 01:21:05 PM

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Bill Renda

I just joined the club and have a few questions,
I am thinking about putting wire wheels on my 63 convertible and don't know which brand to use, can you guide me?
Next I would like to know the pros/cons of having wire wheels?
Thanks a bunch

Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621

Main cons are -

1. Not correct.
2. Require extra cleaning effort.   
3. Can be prone to rust (depending on manufacture quality).
4. Allow (usually unsightly) brake hardware to be visible.
5. Cost.
6. Potential to decrease value of the vehicle.
7. Air leakage - inner tubes sometimes necessary.

Needless to say, I'm not a fan but respect the individual's decision to equip his car according to personal taste.

Welcome to the CLC forum.
A Cadillac Motorcar is a Possession for which there is no Acceptable Substitute

Lexi

I agree with Eric. I would only add that should you install wire wheels make sure they are correct for the load range they will be carrying. Cadillacs are heavy vehicles and as such, the wheels may be subject to significant stress. Clay/Lexi

walt chomosh #23510

Bill,
  When I put wire wheels on my 1955CDV my son (car guy all the way) commented (dad, you really raised the bar on your car!). Wire wheels were not factory in 55, but it's my car and I can do whatever I want with it. I've rode Harleys for 39yrs now and ALWAYS ride with wire wheels also. Truth is, their not as nearly practical as steel wheels. Their much more delicate, hard to clean, expensive, and on and on. BUT, they sure are pretty! If your in the market, I would suggest staying away from imports and sticking with a reputable USA company.(Dayton?) Also, I would definitely spend the extra bucks on stainless steel spokes if available.
  The cost of a set of fine spoked wheels will be forgotten but the beauty of them will last for ages. (if cared for and kept clean). Here's mine attatched....walt...tulsa,ok...ps. by the way, the current wheels and hubcaps on your Cadillac look pretty good already!

The Tassie Devil(le)

G'day Walt,

Sure does look nice.

I admire people that manage to keep their wire wheels clean and sparkling.   They sure do brighten up an area of the vehicle that is always looked at, especially with white-wall tyres.

A friend of mine had a set of '64 Ford Galaxies, and each one had wire wheels, and they really set the vehicles off.

Bruce. >:D
'72 Eldorado Convertible (LHD)
'70 Ranchero Squire (RHD)
'74 Chris Craft Gull Wing (SH)
'02 VX Series II Holden Commodore SS Sedan
(Past President Modified Chapter)

Past Cars of significance - to me
1935 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
1937 Chevrolet Sports Coupe
1955 Chevrolet Convertible
1959 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
1960 Cadillac CDV
1972 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe

Cadillac Jack 82


Nice 55! I'm currently working on obtaining a 55 CDV.  I have a friend who has a set of 5 Sabres which I'm thinking of grabbing for it once I pick it up.
Tim

CLC Member #30850

1959 Cadillac CDV "Shelley"
1964 Cadillac SDV "Rosalie"
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado "Sienna"

Past Cars

1937 LaSalle Cpe
1940 Chevrolet Cpe
1941 Ford 11Y
1954 Buick 48D
1955 Cadillac CDV
1955 Packard Clipper
1957 Cadillac Series 62
1962 VW Bug
1962 Dodge 880
1966 Mercury Montclair
1967 Buick Wildcat Convertible
1968 Chevy Chevelle SS
1968 Plymouth Barracuda
1977 Lincoln MKV

e.mason

If you like the look of wire wheels.  How about Wire Wheel Covers.
Eric Mason

mark.bialzik

If wire wheels were not offered as an option on your model, forget it.

MB

The Tassie Devil(le)

Some people like to be different.

A friend who wasn't a car person once said that all cars should be grey.

Bruce. >:D
'72 Eldorado Convertible (LHD)
'70 Ranchero Squire (RHD)
'74 Chris Craft Gull Wing (SH)
'02 VX Series II Holden Commodore SS Sedan
(Past President Modified Chapter)

Past Cars of significance - to me
1935 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
1937 Chevrolet Sports Coupe
1955 Chevrolet Convertible
1959 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
1960 Cadillac CDV
1972 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe

35-709

Wire wheels are a PIA but necessary on my '35 (Big Red).  I told my wife I would clean and detail and maintain Big Red and her only job was to clean the wire wheels.  Bwahahahahahahaha!  I would not have anything else on Big Red but I HATE cleaning and polishing them.  If you get wires, it is more than worth paying the extra for stainless spokes.  I will never have wire wheels on a car again.
1935 Cadillac Sedan resto-mod "Big Red"
1973 Cadillac Caribou - Sold - but still in the family
1950 Jaguar Mark V Saloon resto-mod - Sold
1942 Cadillac 6269 - Sold
1968 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible - Sold
1950 Packard 2dr. Club Sedan
1935 Glenn Pray - Auburn Boattail Speedster, Gen. 2

The Tassie Devil(le)

And maker sure your car is nowhere near male dogs.

My mate with his Galaxies just loved polishing his cars, truck and boat.   And, they did look BEAUTIFUL.

Bruce. >:D
'72 Eldorado Convertible (LHD)
'70 Ranchero Squire (RHD)
'74 Chris Craft Gull Wing (SH)
'02 VX Series II Holden Commodore SS Sedan
(Past President Modified Chapter)

Past Cars of significance - to me
1935 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
1937 Chevrolet Sports Coupe
1955 Chevrolet Convertible
1959 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
1960 Cadillac CDV
1972 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe

Bill Renda

I appreciate the input I think at this point I'm going to leave the hubcaps on it its original and I hear the wire wheels are delicate and every now and then have to be retrude to keep them straight this doesn't look so bad after all, thanks a bunch guys

Cape Cod Fleetwood

Quote from: Bill Renda on January 26, 2018, 09:29:45 PM
I appreciate the input I think at this point I'm going to leave the hubcaps on it its original and I hear the wire wheels are delicate and every now and then have to be retrude to keep them straight this doesn't look so bad after all, thanks a bunch guys

EXCELLENT decision IMHO. I'm a "purist", cars should be dressed as they were designed, but its everyone's right to restomod their vehicles. I had wire wheel hubcaps on my '87 Commonwealth Edition, so sharp, and an f'ing nightmare to keep clean. Because when they get dirty they look like ca ca. Nice car BTW.
Laurie!
There are 2 kinds of cars in the world, Cadillac and everything else....

The Present -1970 Fleetwood Brougham

The Past -
1996 Deville Concours
1987 Sedan De Ville "Commonwealth Edition"
1981 Coupe De Ville (8-6-4)
1976 Sedan De Ville
1975 Sedan De Ville

The Daily Driver and work slave -
2008 GMC Acadia SLT *options/all

The Tassie Devil(le)

I have aluminium wheels on my '62, and I love them.   Even purchased a car just to get the wheels.   Left the car in USA, and imported the wheels.   Now I have 2 sets.

Better than wire spoke wheels, as less maintenance.

Bruce. >:D
'72 Eldorado Convertible (LHD)
'70 Ranchero Squire (RHD)
'74 Chris Craft Gull Wing (SH)
'02 VX Series II Holden Commodore SS Sedan
(Past President Modified Chapter)

Past Cars of significance - to me
1935 Ford 3 Window Coupe
1936 Ford 5 Window Coupe
1937 Chevrolet Sports Coupe
1955 Chevrolet Convertible
1959 Ford Fairlane Ranch Wagon
1960 Cadillac CDV
1972 Cadillac Eldorado Coupe