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Restoring Styled-Steel Wheels, Plus a Look at What’s Currently Available
Wheel choice is probably the single biggest factor in determining the direction of your project. Just as the thought of installing stock steel wheels on anything other than a restoration seems absurd, the idea of installing race-styled wheels on a restoration may be just as absurd. Or is it?
Today’s wheel manufacturers are blurring the lines between restoration and race-style wheels, especially with the availability of new and larger tire sizes. Larger and wider tires and wheels are fast becoming the way to go, just as period-perfect restored wheels are on a total restoration.
One of the best new trends are wheels that look like the familiar factory styled-steel wheels, but are built in larger diameters and are available in wider widths. They’ve also been copied in billet aluminum for a more custom, sparkly look. These types of wheels are the next things in style. They are subtle enough that your Chevy won’t look kooky, and the larger diameters provide far more tire choices, adding grip and tough looks for a more modern stance.
Wheel Vintiques is one of the more progressive companies supporting this new trend, manufacturing styled-steel wheels in 15-, 16- and 17-inch diameters in a wide range of widths. It has also created billet aluminum versions of several popular styled-steel wheels from the 1970s in larger diameters and widths. Other companies like Coker Tire provide both wheels and tires in many happy combinations for just the same purpose. And as a unique, old-style tire supplier, Coker has the advantage of matching the right look and fitment for a broad application.
Companies like Classic Industries have brought this trend full circle by taking the search out of finding the correct accessories for many of these wheels. There is no question that these types of wheels can quickly turn a resto into a 21st-century street machine in only the time that it takes to bolt them on. So it pays to spend a little time looking at what works for your project.
Not all of the most popular styled-steel wheels from the ’70s have been reproduced yet. One wheel that we’re all pushing for is the ’70-1/2 Camaro Z28 wheel. Truly one of the most attractive wheels of its time, today it’s highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike. Because it is our mission to get you out and into your garage, we’re going to show you how to restore a set of your own original wheels, using simple methods and quality reproduction hardware by Classic Industries. We’ll also provide you a guide to what is presently available from the aftermarket.
RESTO & NEW-STYLE WHEEL GUIDE
Many of the wheel styles that came on General Motors products in the 1960s and 1970s are available today as reproductions. This means you don’t have any rust, curb rash or bent wheels to deal with. These wheels are available in many widths and diameters, up to 20 inches. Many replica wheels are even available in billet aluminum. The selection is phenomenal.
CLASSIC INDUSTRIES
OEM and reproduction rally wheels in sizes from 14×6-inches to 16×8-inches. Chrome reproduction wheels in sizes from 14×6 to 15×10. SS-style ’69-’70 reproduction wheels in sizes from 14×7 to 15×8. Third-gen Camaro 16-inch factory GTA-style alloys and reproduction wheel accessories for many factory styled-steel wheels.
Classic Industries
Dept. CR, 18460 Gothard St.
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
800/854-1280
classicindustries.com
COKER TIRE
Reproduction rallye wheels. Reproduction raised white letter, OE white stripe and OE and radial Redline tires for virtually any application. Pro-Trac Performance Tires.
Coker Tire
Dept. CR, 1317 Chestnut St.
Chattanooga, TN 37402
800/251-6336
SPECIALITY WHEELS LTD.
Offers 17×8-inch Magnum-style wheels for that ’60s/’70s look.
Specialty Wheels, Ltd.
Dept. CR, 19310 NE San Rafael St.
Portland, OR 97230
503/491-8848
MINILITE WHEELS
The original Trans-Am racing wheels, still made in England. Used on virtually all factory Trans-Am racing cars in the late-’60s/early-’70s. Available in 15×5.5 to 15×8 sizes for GM applications in a variety of backspacing and colors.
Minilite Wheels
Dept. CR, 165 Merryall Rd.
New Milord, CT 06776
860/355-8888
SLP PERFORMANCE PARTS
Third- and fourth-generation F and Y car wheels in 16- and 17-inch applications.
SLP Performance Parts
Dept. CR, 1501 Industrial Way North
Toms River, NJ 08755
732/349-2109
WHEEL VINTIQUES
Wheel Vintiques offers an astounding selection of reproduction styled-steel and billet aluminum wheels in many sizes and widths.
Wheel Vintiques
Dept. CR, 5515 E. Lamona
Fresno, CA 93727
559/251-6957
WHEEL SMITH
Reproduction rallye wheels; custom wheel fabrication and repair. Designed and manufactured in U.S. Over 30 years experience.
Wheel Smith
1601 W. Commerce St.
Corona, CA 92878
800/854-8937
thewheelsmith.net
