Hot Rods GM 5 on 4 1/2" 15" wheels WTH

I bought an IH Metro Mite van and it has 15" 5 on 4 1/2" wheels on it. Rears appear matched/original. Fronts have a GM stamp on them. I never knew GM used the 4 1/2" pattern. Any clues? Thanks.

 

I’m working on a 1963 International C1100, it also has 5 on 4-1/2 pattern. I’ll look this weekend to see if they have any stamping or marks on them


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Often used on several models from Mopar, Ford & Studebaker.

- EM

 

You sure they actually fit properly, Ive seen some wheels go on over the studs but not be in the center of the holes and still run, but not the best idea.

 

That was what I first thought also, but I removed a couple lug nuts and the studs are centered in the holes on the GM wheels.

 

I am familiar with the pattern that was Ford/Mopar/Studebaker/etc. just had not seen GM wheels with that pattern. I will attach some photos. There is NT on them as well.

 

are you sure you are measuring the bolt circle correctly?

 

Quite sure, yes. They measure 4 1/4" center/center skipping one hole. Or, 4 1/2" center to outer edge. This is the second of these Mites I have had and I put 63 Ford wheels on the other one.

 

Yes, IH used the 5 on 4 1/2" circle, no mystery there. Likely the GM stamp has nothing to do with General Motors. Unless there is a GM part # on the wheels?

 

63 Tempest/Lemans had 5 on 4 1/2 bolt pattern....1/2 in studs

 

ding, ding, ding ^^^^^

 

Cool. Thanks, that was the info I was looking for. I did find a page with lots of bolt pattern info and it also states 61-63 Tempest/Lemans with the 5 on 4 1/2. Thanks again for the help. I knew this was the place to ask.

 

Wow! I never knew that, Thanks for sharing!
Those could be the wheels from the famous ebay 421 Super Duty
(Not sure if it still had its original wheels or not...)

 

Or GM could have been contracted to make them for IHC.

O/T but in '77 I bought a new El Camino with 15X7 Rally wheels. As Firestone Steel Radial 500's were on it (could not specify brand, only size on the order) and I disliked Firestone at that time we swapped them out from another Camino on the lot with BFG's. Popped the sombrero caps and all five of the wheel centers were stamped with the Pentastar. Yep, Chrysler made the Rallys for Chevy.....

 

Kelsey Hayes made rally wheels for GM, at least the 67's through the 70's.

 

They may have but that set was definitely stamped with the Pentastar.