1954 Wheels

[rex]

I am looking for a good set of original wheels for my '54 Cadillac.  Has anybody converted to wire wheels who would like to sell me their good rims and hubcaps--regular or wire?  Thanks everbody! Rex

[55 CDV Fan 82]

Its funny you mention this but I have a set of wheels, tires, and excellent hubcaps for my 55.  I'm not sure they'd be correct for 54 though.  I might consider selling them as they've sat in my possession for 6 years and I've not touched them.

[harry s]

The parts book lists '48 through '56 as same. The key is that they have the clips in the center cup.   Harry

[Lexi]

Hmmm, puzzled over Harry's comments. I thought the '56s were the deep dish inverted type, made to accept the bold new wheel discs for 1956. My 1956 MPL only lists '48 - '55 as the same part number for the rims, (and not '56), which they call "The wheel assembly, less tire", (Group #22.0010). In common parlance, these are the rims. The "Wheel Disc", (Group #22.580), list '56s as stand alone, with no backwards referencing.

That said, short of looking into this further, perhaps earlier Cadillac caps will fit a '56 rim, (15"), but a '56 wheel disc will not fit (I believe) the earlier rims as they are too deep. We call them "Salad Bowls". LOL. So picking up a set of '56 rims may or may not work with '54 wheel discs. Not sure. '48 - '55 wheel assemblies are said to be the same in the original 1956 MPL that I consulted, (part #145 9660). Perhaps the one Harry referenced contained an amendment and was from a later date?

I may have 1 or 2 '54 wheel discs, but no rims for your car.
Clay/Lexi

Note: I think '55 or '56 was the start for tubeless rims for Cadillac. That said, tubes were often still used by many '55 owners in their Sabre rims due to rivet leaking. If these early tubeless rims were made differently, contour wise, to accept tubeless tires, I wonder if that affected wheel disc fitment? Probably not, but I am not sure, but changes were made to the '56 Sabres-and I know the rims were also different. Just another reason to be sure before accepting '56 rims to be used with '54 caps on your car. May work, but not sure.

[M. Bankes]

Hi,
'56 rims are definitely different because of the depth of the hubcaps the rims are much deeper. I believe I have a couple '55 rims which I believe are the same as '54
Thanks
Michael
 

[harry s]

Clay & Michael, You guys are right about the '56s being different. I must not have been in the right progressive zone of my glasses. Thanks for correcting.
Harry

[Lexi]

I keep forgetting to wear my glasses for reading and it is horrible, and also; "Why is everything getting dark"!!! Clay/Lexi

[Paul Wier]

I am looking for a good set of original wheels for my '54 Cadillac.  Has anybody converted to wire wheels who would like to sell me their good rims and hubcaps--regular or wire?  Thanks everbody! Rex

REX,

I have a set of Four 1953 Cadillac rims original paint. "Great patina haha" Check my auctions on Ebay (theguyyoulost2)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/325256670191#:~:text=eBay%20item%20number%3A-,325256670191,-Item%20specifics

Thanks,
Paul Wier