VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 1928 chevrolet wire wheels

Hi;question: did Chevrolet ever make as an option for their autos in 1928 ,wire wheels ?If not what was their first year for that option,and what was the wheel size,and finally; does anyone know of a 21" wire wheel that will fit the 1928 chevrolet bolt pattern with no trouble (ex.pontiac,durant olds,buick ect.)a Thank You to who replys.

Hi TOM P.,

I can answer only a portion of your questions. Chevrolet did not offer a wire wheel for 1928. The only choices were the disc and the wood spoke.

It appears that the best solution is to replace all 4 hubs with later models that accept the wire wheels that went with the hubs you selected.

I believe Ray's statement above is correct and is a belief held by most, but not all. I believe some clarification was given by Doug Bell in his book, "Early Chevrolet History" .

" The disc wheels of the K used four hub bolts while those of the V used six hub bolts. The six hub bolt pattern was continued on all Chevrolet passenger cars through 1948, with the exception of the Standard Six ( 1933-1936 ), and is still used today on half ton trucks. "
My 28 Roadster has been equipped with 4.75 X 19 Tires and wire wheels for more than 60 years and although I cannot prove it came that way I believe it must have had them installed within the first few years of delivery. I find it hard to believe that one cannot remove a six lug disc wheel from a 28 and replace it with a disc or wire wheel from a later year.

Herb

Herb and Ray are both partially correct. As far as I have been able to determine the first wire wheels offered by Chevrolet as a factory approved accessory were the rare 1929 20" wheels. They look much like the '28-9 Model A wheels except they have six lug holes.

Herb is correct that the disc wheel wheel cars beginning with the 1926 Series V had six lug wheels. I have a '27 Coupe with 1930-1 wire (19")wheels installed. They are not correct but are a bolt on replacement. I highly suspect that the wheels on Herb's Roadster were changed somewhere between the late 30s to early 40s. Many vehicles had wheels changed during WWII in order to keep them on the road. Since tires were difficult to find wheels were changed to match the tires that were available. Junk yards scrounged for anything that would hold air and was basically round.

I remember well the desire to spruce up and modernize an "Old car" one good way was to put on a set of newer wheels and tires. Both Chevrolet and f*0*r*d* cars ( I had a set of 16" wire wheels on my Model "A") and a set of 16" wheels on the 34 Chevrolet pickup with 600 x 16 knobbie Gillette tires on the rear) were modified this way.
...As for a 1928 Chevrolet having 21 inch wire wheels, Heck it was on eBay! Isn't that enough documentation for you Chipper, Ray, Herb and Tom?

Mr. Mack,
If you are referring to the eBay listing that I saw, they were 1930-31 19" Chevrolet wheels. If measured across the hubcap opening rim edge to rim edge they will measure nearly 21". So, can't buy that one. Now if you come up with original Chevrolet literature listing wire wheels for '28 I would consider it. Over the years I have learned many many times that Chevrolet did something that I did not previously believe. An example, this past summer, I actually saw a set of adjustable spoke wire wheels on a 1930 Chevrolet. They were correct originals too.

Shucks, And just when I was starting to believe in the eBay ghost of Chevrolet Past.

Hi again ,thanks to you fine jents for answering those questions on the 28 wire spokes, just to think that I almost bought another set of beauties from an honest jent on e-bay,next time if I`m not sure of an assessory part for my old buggy I`l be sure to ask here first,Thank ya`ll so much,,,,,,,,,,,Tom P.

Hello to all that responded to this thread. I was the one that purchased these rims. At first I thought I was biding on the rare '29 rims until I read this post, and took a second look. Then I thought they were '30-'31s like Chipper had suggested. I was stuck with them, so I hoped for the best, and figured I could use a few more 19 inch rims anyway. Well they came today, and the seller was correct on the size for a 21 inch tire. A '30-'33 hubcap fits too. What are they?

They are NOT 33 Chevrolet as it uses a 17 inch wheel.

I don't see anywhere in this thread the number of lugs. Can you provide some dimensions. There is a sevtion in the Hollanders interchange thaat lists wheels. Maybe we could help you I you can provide more details.

They are the same 6 hole pattern as my '31 with 19 inch rims, and my '33 with 18 inch rims, which both use the same diameter hub cab. I also
have one 17 inch, 6 lug rim that uses the same size cap, opposed to the much larger cap on the '34-'36 wire wheels, and not like the 5 lug 17 inch spoke wheels use on the standards. These 21 inch wires are slightly wider by 1/16th inch in depth. They are not built like chevrolet in the hub area, but only slightly different. When I get my pictures developed, I will try to post a comparison photo.