So, after months of searching we finally found a great set of Divco wheels for our project. But, during those months the plan for the car changed a bit. *** WARNING: SEVERE STORY DIGRESSION AHEAD *** The car is a 1932 Ford roadster barnfind. From what we can tell, it was sitting there since the early fifties. The top is messed up, but the interior is still usable and the lacquer paint is still good. Initially the idea was to build up an 8BA with some early speed equipment and juice brakes and such. The plan was to model it after an early 50's Bonneville car. Recently, though, we came across an early OHV conversion for a 21 stud flattie. We have decided to build a pre-war instead, modeled around the heads. It will have mechanical brakes, fenderless, 25 louvre hood and the Divcos. The plan is to build it in the mid to late thirties fashion. *** END DIGRESSION *** The question now is, what year did the big steel Divcos come out? I am worried we are going to end up building a car to mid thirties specs with the wrong wheels. I have heard they started in 1936 / 1939 / and post war. Does anyone know how early they were actually available / used on hot rods? Thanks, drZ
Hey Drz, Those wheels where post war. They are not 1930's. The 18" wide 5 wheels though are more applicable to your application going towards the 1930's look. 1948 is the latest I have found those wheels manufactured. They are not divco btw. The are accessory wheels from kelsey hayesfor ford and chevy trucks. Double check though the backs of your wheels. Those are not original 5 lugs! Nor the wheel hoops. Just fyi. PM me if you have any more questions.
The 18" Ford wheel came out in 1940 for the 1/2 ton pickups for extra clearance. GM came out the same time only with 6 holes GM then used their same center in the 17" split rim and that center will fit into the Ford 18" wire
These are 6 lug centers that have been changed to 5 lug. They were popped out and put in 18" Ford barrels. If you don't look at them from the back, what is different besides the valve stem divot?
Hi my Friend,Jimmy B. The Ford as close as I can read the story 1940. The wide 5 had an 18" in late '36or early '37. Ol Deuce
Doc.Z could you post a picture of the back side of your wheels ? I have 7 GM 17" rims that need a center or two changed! Ol Deuce
To the average joe walking by your car, your wheels will look great! The only give away is the lack of divot area for the valve stem. The whole changing of the bolt pattern on the wheel is very scary.
Not the most beautiful, but they are balanced so we won't complain. If you need a set changed, Jimmy and McLean Wheels can do it (559) 347-9665. Hmm ... maybe we will have to date our project a year or two later ...
Thank you for that post Doctor Z, I have thoughts on the bolt circle change,but haven't done any thing yet.
nevermind the wheels... what 21 stud OHV conversion did you find?? the solid 18" accessory wheels would not be accurate for a pre war lakes car.... and i have never seen one running the 18" wide 5's either, although it would be hard to detect in a picture... however , 16" kelsey wires with Lions covers would be close to accurate.... also, why would you run mechanical brakes on a car with so many valuable parts? converting to juice brakes is easy enough.... 1939 was the first year they were produced.
The wheels on the back of my tank in the old days had a bolt circle change Note the steel plate with the 5 1/2 bolt circle and they went over 265mph with them. the six lug wheel has a 5 1/2 circle also it must use a common hole. I have to get in my mind what they did in 1963 Ol Deuce
Hi, Im Ryan, Mike Hamel's son, I know a little bit more then my dad so here it goes. The 17" wheels that Chevy came out with that have identical centers to the 18" versions came out in the 40's. The one I have pictured in NOS like new condition and id stamped Kelsey Hayes with a date of 12-1945. All the 4 wheels pictured are made by Kelsey Hayes. The 18" wide 5's were made from 1936-1939. The 18" Ford 5 lug was made from 1940-1948. The 18" Chevy wheels were made from 1937-1946. So the 6 lug version is what you are looking for. The 2 other wheels were made by Motor Wheel Corp, for Dodge 1/2 and 3/4 Ton truck. The 18" version came out in 1936 and went all the way to 1946 and same with the similar 20" version. Hope this helps some people out. Thanks, Ryan
I am worried that you are right about the wheels not being accurate. I am not too familiar with the Lions cover though. Anymore Information on them? We were not going to run juice brakes because we were hoping for an earlier thirties (1936/ 1937) car.
The lyons wheel covers where an accessory for chevy and ford wire wheels that clip on the rim and makes the wheel look like a solid one. If your going for a lakes car. You could do it, but I have never seen them on a lakes car. Probably would stay on though. They fit snug on the wheels! The mech. brakes are fine but any quick stopping power wont be there. If they are done right. I dont see why there is a problem. Just the safety factor I wouldnt want to worry about.
To the best of my knowledge, there were no 18" wide-five wheels. They were 16". I think I saw a 15" once as well. Never an 18" though. If I'm wrong, someone tell me and also tell me where I can get my hands on some. Mike H, is that an 18" wide-five in your picture???? If so, what on earth did they come on? Trucks?
the Lyon wheel covers came out in '35... only for the 16" wheels they were either all chrome or painted with a stainless edge band a rubber lip seated against the rim they clipped to the center of the wheel... and theres not much chance of them coming off.... they clip on there good! Karl Orr's modified ran the chrome ones...while his roadster ran the painted type, later the painted ones were on his modified. Also Vic Edelbrock ran the painted type on his '32 roadster.... This might be what your after Vic's car... hot flathead V8, mechanical brakes, 25 louver hood, Lyon covers, etc I would think this same car could have existed anywhere from 35-45 really your holdback on the dates is going to be the other parts you use... such as , intake manifold, tire tread, gauges, etc. Good luck with the project Zach
scooter - they do exist,a dude at the LB swap had a pair for sale... i have his info somewhere. prolly sold by now but worth a shot to ask in case they didnt. these are mine
Um I called dibbs on those wheels like last year. Still waiting on someone to tell me where I can get some. So, I am sorry you must wait. I think they were '36-'38 KH Accessory wheels. One guy had them at bonneville last year and one guy was featured in Street Rodder magazine. The only two times I have see them except for the pic above
The 18" wide 5's where in fact made by Kelsey Hayes. I posted a picture of them. I tried to focus on the Kelsey Hayes stamped in the wheels but it is kind of fuzzy. Its also marks 4-37 18x3.62. All of my 5 are marked with that. The Kelsey Hayes is marked huge! compared to any of my other wheels made by them.
Hey! Are your 18" Wide 5's NOS??? I see that tag on the wheel. Thats really cool if they are. I have a set of 6 lug 18" chevy milk trucks with tags.
This is serious accessory wheel porn, right here!!!! I'm VERY glad to know that there are 18-inchers out there. (wow, that could have been taken wrong )
that is EXACTLY what we are going after. the intake is a pre-war eddie meyer heated intake manifold for two 2's. gauges are mostly the stock '32 but a 90 mph speedo, dunno tires yet. thanks for all the help!
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