History BILL….SMITH’S....ROADSTER

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Done up fore the 82 Oakland Roadster Show



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Those wire wheels almost look like Chrysler wires off of the 300 series 53-55 or so models.

Denny

 

I’ve read the wire wheels he originally used were dodge



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...pretty well documented. You are very fortunate...on top of having a solid base to step back with...this is a joy to watch...

 

Thanks Stogy


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Back in 81 getting ready for red lacquer



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Car meet today and looks like a Twinsie




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So @Austinrod was that a truspoke wire wheel or the original in that first Streetrod makeover before the Centerlines? I just looked I think they are newer stuff...

The running boards to front fender were 1 piece all along and covered or separate and joined at the upgrade to the smoothed look?

 

Don’t know if they welded the running boards in 81 or earlier
The wire wheels in the 81 picture I think went on his other car the buick that’s now in a museum pictured below



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The '81 pics look like Tru-spokes.

 

This '81 pic shows Buick Skylark wires. Not what is on the old pics of the roadster/sedan. Also not Tru-Spokes. Keep researching and soon you will recognize the differences at a glance.

 

Appliance wires

 

I'm sorry, I misunderstood. Yes, the in-paint-process pic of the roadster does show Tru-Spokes. You were right. The black Buick wears Buick Skylark wires. The old-old pics of the roadster are neither Tru-Spokes or Buick.

 

Checking bolt pattern and spacing for wheels/tires
I’m thinking 15x8rear/15x6front OE wheels from wheel vintiques
And 820 tires rear / 670 front





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Good candidate for Photoshop...where are those tires and rims...its a form of subtle torture. I still find it interesting how certain old time Custom/Hotrodders never upgrade their rides with the new...others cut slice and the original fades away...

I might have mentioned this...I just find it hard to believe he would have saw those rims and tires a compliment...Damn I'm glad you got this Survivor...​

 

Here’s the engine bay
Last picture is the scratched out 1982 California license plate tag
















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My guess is that the car got a massive front and rear suspension make-over, perhaps at the same time the engine was up-dated, and in the process the front and rear track was reduced from what it was when the historical (Generation One) photos were taken. There is no way the deep-dish Centerlines would fit on the original axles - the ones which wore the original Dodge/Plymouth wires - without sticking 'way out beyond the fender lips.

This is a "restoration" problem which cannot be fixed with wider wheels - at least on the front. The car will look the same when the wheels are pointing straight ahead, but the slightest turn of the front wheels will give the narrower axle away visually.

If the original owner/builder is still available I'd grill him on what the original suspension was - stock '34 Ford? - and go about changing the front suspension back to the previous axle width and proceed with the project using the original size and offset wheels and large diameter tires.

The rear, of course, can be fudged with spacers but with wider wheels the tall bias ply tires aren't going to look right - they'll look too fat for the tread width. I really don't see a quick and easy "fix" for this problem in the rear either.

 

This Custom has several articles and relevant paper and all those details would be available I suspect and @Austinrod will if needed I'm sure look at all the variables.

50 Olds Rearend & Ford Front Axle

 

Perhaps I misread his last post. It sounded like he was just going to order some new, wider steel wheels and call it a day. His car so he can and should do whatever he wants. I was just trying to be helpful.
.

 

I understand...I suppose its going to be a journey in transitions selectively made and the owner who is the original is a phone call away. You raise a good point as in what has been done under there....and Austinrod is ordering Vintage inspired in the rim department with Piecrust www Bias I think.

 

@Austinrod what with the Phsycodelic Plate Job was that a custom touch?...sorry if you explained it I might have missed it...

 

Has a 4 inch dropped axle split bones bolted too the frame
Disc brakes added to the front in 81 and probably 81 shocks front and air shocks on the rear also ten bolt I saw so that was changed also everything else looks original but
Need too look further


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The wheels on there now are 15x9 plus one inch for tire width
The front are 15x7 plus one inch tire width


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You can see how wide the wheels are in rear and front
Rear

Front



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Bill at the drags in Fremont 81/82


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...It's a Big Back Attack...

a stunner in my books...Oh Yeah...

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Wow thanks Stogy that looks great


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Thanks...I can't find the top or the spare tire...Yet...

This Custom/Hotrod has went thru a ton of subtle changes in the Late 50's, 60's

I just noticed a chrome side pipe while running duels out the back...Are you running those?...I mean they are kinda Hotrod in a good way...This was a Sleeper in a way...