VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1933-1936 Educate me on these wire wheels

I picked up these wire wires and very little about and can't seem to find a lot of information. They are a 16 x 4.5, 40 spoke, 6 on 5.5 wheel and have a bowtie stamp in the inner hub face. They are not adjustable. Three are in good shape and the fourth has a little ding on the lip and across the hub cap face. These pictures were taken after I sandblasted them.

What are they worth? Can they be trued and to what value....060"? Any recommendations for guys that can true these up? Any thoughts to the year?
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I believe they are an accessory wheel , but I cant give you the specific year, but would suit many of the 1930's vehicles , letting them use 16 inch diameter wheels.

I have something that I will post to the MEMBERS RESOURCE CENTER. It should go a long ways towards answering your questions.

I'm getting ready for two events tomorrow... check back in one day -- or two at the most.

I'll title it "Chev Rims"

Drop me a note if you don't see it by Sunday 11/10....

---Bill B

The 1931-32- 33 wheel has a hubcap opening diameter of 5 3/4" so that will tell you if that hubcap will fit these wheels.

Okay - it's posted now.

GO to http://vcca.org/members/
Then Resource Center
Technical Info
Then Wheels Rims
ChevRims.pdf is the file

--Bill Barker

That is very interesting information. Appears that is aftermarket stuff. Still have a question when did Chevrolet offer 16" wire wheels? Did know about the 19" wheels offered for the mid-30s Chevrolets by Chevrolet. They are listed in the parts books. Still haven't found a part book or other reference for the 16" wire wheels. Was also aware of the Firestone Air Balloon and Goodyear Air Wheel tires & wheels that were available for Chevrolets.

my 1935 chevy 1/2 ton wheels look idenical to these and they are 17 inch 6 hole.i have a total of 9 all 17 inch that came with the truck.

jeff korner
southeast indiana

The way it was told to me was during war time it was easier to find 16" tire than other sizes. I've never searched the parts books to verify this...Joe

Thanks Bill - Do you know the origin of this publication? Was it a K H bulletin, or from Chevrolet?

Roger

That is interesting information. So how do I know if they are 29-33 or 33-36? What is the difference between a wire wheel and a steel wheel with chrome spokes? Do you if that brochure was put out by Chevy or Kelsey-Hayes?

I personally haven't see many 16" chevy wires like this.... are they semi-rare?

Your wheels are uncommon, but not rare. They are out there.

From the photos your wheels look like pre 1934, as the '34 hubs were larger, so the center opening would be larger than your photo shows. The chrome spokes were likely a slip on cover design.

Are you putting these on any particular vehicle, or are you fishing for an asking price?

Do you need one more for a spare?

Roger

1934 1935 Chevrolet standard series were 5 lug with 4 3/4 bolt circle and have a rim size of 17 inches.

They must be for trucks after 1935 ???? that's my guess.

mike

4-1/4 bolt circle Mike...Joe

really Joe, 4 1/4 that's like a ford mopar bolt pattern . I have one of those multi plastic bolt pattern things, guess I will have to find it and check that out......damn !

Also JOE, can you email me direct at my mike350 address , because I had a hard drive expire and lost all my contacts.

Also need JAY HERTZ in Albuquerque, if you have it

mike

Mike
If you would join the club & not just the chat line, you would have access to all this needed information. You have 1024 post so you obviously have got something from here. Get more from joining :)
....Joe

Also, I believe that all Canadians qualify for the new ASSOCIATE membership, which is much cheaper since it doesn't include a hardcopy of the magazine. However, all issues are fully available online (in the Members area).

Mike, if you want a couple issues of the G&D to see, or info on joining the VCCA from the perspective of a Canadian, let me know and I can get that to you as well. It really is money well spent! The events and tours are a blast!

I have 5 of those wheels that were made up by early hot rod builders. They would take the earlier Chevrolet or Ford wheels of 18 or 19 inch and cut the spokes and bend them and put 16 inch rims on them and then weld each spoke to the new rim one at a time. A neighbor that lived next door to us has a jig that he done this with. He made only Ford the wheels. This was in the early 50's. I also seen a pair of the factory made wheels like the ones in the picture on a box type trailer at the City of Tucson water department. The ones I have my Dad got them with a box trailer he traded for. It had 4 with it and I found another one at a swap meet. They look like they will only fit the 1930 to 1933 models but not the standards. I am also from Tucson so that is odd that there 2 sets of similar wheels. Chuick

I was a member for a year, got all the VCCA magazines. I was a member from early 70's thru too 80's. Personally I found the information I was looking for , on this chat site. That's why I did not renew my membership.

mike

Just added another page about 1934-36 RIMS in the Members area.

GO to http://vcca.org/members/
Then Resource Center
Technical Info
Then Wheels Rims
1934-36 High Clearance Rims.pdf is the file

Here's a taste for Non-members: