Looking for some advice on sourcing a steel 15-inch steel wheel for installation in my continental kit in my '56 TB.
Is there something that would fit that won't break the bank? I'll be carrying a spare in the trunk, so this is not intended to hit the road.
Any thoughts?
15-inch steel wheel for '56 Continental Kit
Moderator: Joe Johnston
- Alan H. Tast
- Posts: 4252
- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2003 10:52 pm
- Location: Omaha, NE
Re: 15-inch steel wheel for '56 Continental Kit
If you're just wanting to fill the space so that the tire cover parts don't flop around, the 15"x5"-5x4.5" bolt circle wheel was also used on '52-'56 Ford cars, and there's more than likely a MoPar wheel pre-'57 (when most manufacturers switched to 14"-diameter wheels) out there with the same dimensions and bolt pattern that would work. Shodding it with a tire that comes close to the original 670-15 tire's diameter of 27-1/2"(185/80R15s are considered a close equivalent at 27" diameter, along with 205/75R15s at 27.1") shouldn't be an issue unless the local tire place refuses to touch a tire over 6 years old or won't install a used, worn-out, date-expired tire. Finding someone local who's got a tire changing machine and willing to install it may be the bigger challenge.
If a tire is slightly smaller than the 27-1/2" diameter, a person can always use swimming pool 'noodles' or other compressible foam padding to fill the gap and keep rattling down to a minimum.
If a tire is slightly smaller than the 27-1/2" diameter, a person can always use swimming pool 'noodles' or other compressible foam padding to fill the gap and keep rattling down to a minimum.
Alan H. Tast, AIA
Technical Director/Past President,
Vintage Thunderbird Club Int'l.
Author, "Thunderbird 1955-1966" & "Thunderbird 50 Years"
1963 Hardtop & 1963 Sports Roadster
Technical Director/Past President,
Vintage Thunderbird Club Int'l.
Author, "Thunderbird 1955-1966" & "Thunderbird 50 Years"
1963 Hardtop & 1963 Sports Roadster
Re: 15-inch steel wheel for '56 Continental Kit
Good info, thanks Alan