1959 Cadillac - Wire Rims?

[Dan Eckstein]

Hello folks,

Does anyone have a recommendation on where to buy wire rims?  Coker? Truespoke?  Any help is appreciated.

[Dan Eckstein]

Looking for any recommendations, even companies to stay away from.

[62 driver]

What are you looking for? Nock offs? 15"? 40, 48 or 52 spokes?  I like and have the 1954-56 Kelsey Hayes 40 spoke rims.

[Dan Eckstein]

I am looking for 48 stokes rims. 15x6.  Not really sure about nock offs?  Going to be running wide white walls.

[hearn]

Kanter seems to have a great price and they have been around for quite a while.  I got my wire rims from another source but would probably go to Kanter if I needed to replace.  I have spent goobs of time and money trying to get mine silicone so I can run tubeless.  After a short while the tape started to leak and siliconing, I still have one wheel that leaks.  Jim

[62 driver]

One thing I would look for is Stainless Steels spokes. It the first thing that start rusting and they are stronger.  I have restored mine and use silicone to seal out the water and tubes to seal in the air. Tubes are cheep and I just keep a spare in the trunk for road trips.

[Dan Eckstein]

Ok dumb question.  Do I need to run tubes with wire rims?  I wasn't aware if I do need to.

[Dan Eckstein]

These are the wire rims that I am considering and also have them mount & balance the white walls as well.  Just not sure if Coker is good brand or not.

http://www.cokertire.com/wheels/wire-wheels/cadillac-wire-wheel-2286.html

[62 driver]

They look good to me. You don't need tubes because they are sealed from the maker.

[Hayden P]

Chris Sabatino sells em... And in stainless. Don't need tube... I have some... Great quality...

[62 driver]

I bet only 1 or 2 company make them. The rest resell them. Try Dayton Wheels. Talk to Gary Buckles. 

[n2caddies]

Wheels Vintique in Fresno Ca used to supply Coker their wheels. Thought I had heard Coker bought them out though I still see WV ads in Hemmings. I have 2 sets and am generally happy. Sometimes you have to rotate the tire around the rim a bit to get them to balance properly. Did have one leak and they repaired it for free. The inside of the wheels are coated with an epoxy type material to seal the spokes for tubeless use.
Randy

[35-709]

Coker bought Wheels Vintique a few years ago.  They apparently still operate as a separate company. 
I originally had Wheels Vintique on my '35, kept breaking spokes with only normal use, finally sent the whole set of 5 back as unsafe and got my money back.  Am now running wire wheels from Wheelsmith --- http://www.thewheelsmith.net/index.html
and couldn't be happier with the quality or the company. 
Dayton wires would also be an excellent choice, IMO.
You don't need to run tubes with today's wire wheels, nor should you.
Stainless spokes are definitely the way to go if you have that option.

[walt chomosh #23510]

Dan,
  I bought a set(5ea) of US made 48spoke from Chris Sabatino. I had been running the stock hub caps(beautiful with new medallions) but definitely "raised the level" of my car with the laced wheels. I suggest that you have them balanced off the lug vs the hub. I fought an unbalanced condition for years until I finally balanced them off the lug.(most shops are equipped to balance either way)
Also,I've run laced wheels on my Harleys thru the years(many) and if possible,would recommend stainless spokes if available...........walt...tulsa,ok