I'm going for a sleeper look, and thought I'd try these out. Just factory ford 14's with, what I think is, old style Pinto caps. I'll do about this size of tire in back, and some skinnier, but just as tall, in the front(which I don't have mounted yet). It's all coming down 2" as well, so ride height won't be affected that much, just a fuller wheel well. The only other wheels I've any interest in are the smooth staggered centerlines, but they kinda blow the illusion I'm trying to create.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/edjones/2016-03-25%2016.08.15.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/edjones/media/2016-03-25%2016.08.15.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/edjones/2016-03-25%2016.08.02.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/edjones/media/2016-03-25%2016.08.02.jpg.html)
I'd assume they a Fairmont/T-Bird 14" wheels? The hubcaps are Maverick. Yes, it does have a different, but factory style look that "stealthy flies under the radar." I've always liked the concept.
I have considered the SSP steel wheels from the 80's Mustang cop cars. The original 15" wheels are hard to find and not cheap. The center caps are rarer and I hear the front ones melt from overheated wheel bearings. The later 80's T-Bird had a similar looking wheel but in a 14" size. They were covered with a standard hub cap so they didn't have the police style center cap. I've heard the early Escort center cap is similar. When I originally saw them they were on a red Pinto. The owner told me that he used spacers that set the wheel outward quite a bit. I had forgotten this when I went about procuring the look a like in a 14" size. I mounted up a 215-60-14" tire and tried them on my Pinto. At least on a wagon they didn't look right. Though the T-Bird is a RWD car the the wheel offset was too far inward. So, while I like the look of the wheel itself, the look on the car was not what I wanted. Thankfully my Sunbeam Tiger shares the same bolt pattern.
Maverick eh? Well they look right enough. When I get to the body work, I'll powder coat the wheels too, but for now, they would be too shiny if I did. Nice clean black wheels with double pin stripe around lip... mmm... classic!
I finally got the front tires mounted on the steelies and got them on the Pinto. I like it! 235/60/14 out back and 195/70/14 up front.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/edjones/2016-04-11%2017.31.13.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/edjones/media/2016-04-11%2017.31.13.jpg.html)
It certainly gets the look you seek. If I recall correctly you have a FMIC. Do you need the hood bulge? A flat hood would really seal the deal on the stealth look. I love the concept. In my Studebaker world there are factory built Paxton supercharged Larks. One goes by the title "Plain Brown Wrapper." It looks like a bone stock Lark, but it FLIES! I believe this car was on "My Classic Car."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHyv-HvkaRU&nohtml5=False (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHyv-HvkaRU&nohtml5=False)
I hate that stupid bulge! But till I chop the manifold down, it's a necessary evil. I have a no hole having, un bulged hood on stand by, but brakes and suspension are on the priority list right now. I am doing a 2" drop, front and back, so the wheels will tuck up in a little better, and I still end up at about factory height.
I like it. However I am partial to dog dish hubcaps. I have been running them on my 67 Mustang for over 20 years now. I might have a set of actual Pinto ones somewhere.
Too bad Willamette Wheel isn't around anymore. You could get those puppies widened a bit and stick a little bigger tire under it. I miss that place.
There is just something "Stealthy" about Steelies and Dog Dish Caps. I was greatly disappointed when I tried the Mustang SSP look a like wheels on the back of the Pinto. They were just too far inset to properly fit the wheel opening. :(
On my Valiant I have the steel Mopar Cop Car wheels and also a set of the hole drilled Dog Dish caps (not installed). I have seen a NOS set of those caps going for $300! On my Studebaker I run the Crown Vic Cop Car wheels too.
Love those Steelies!!
I would *love* to run 15x8 steelies and hubcaps on the rear of mine. The hubcaps would distract from the drag radials. Maybe someday...
Quote from: Wittsend on April 15, 2016, 10:05:29 AM
There is just something "Stealthy" about Steelies and Dog Dish Caps. I was greatly disappointed when I tried the Mustang SSP look a like wheels on the back of the Pinto. They were just too far inset to properly fit the wheel opening. :(
On my Valiant I have the steel Mopar Cop Car wheels and also a set of the hole drilled Dog Dish caps (not installed). I have seen a NOS set of those caps going for $300! On my Studebaker I run the Crown Vic Cop Car wheels too.
Love those Steelies!!
I think you and I have very similar taste in ol' cars.