I recently scored a pair of original 1935 Chrysler product fender skirts for my '35 Plymouth coupe from another Hamber. I was dismayed to discover that my 15" wheels stick out too far for them to fit. The rims I have are 7" wide and presently have a 4 1/2" backspace. Trouble is, I can't find anyone who makes such rims with a 6 to 6 1/2" backspace. Does anyone know of a wheel maker who'd make me a pair of rims with a 6 1/2" backspace? Or, might you have other ideas, including installing a different axle, widen the fenders, or narrower axles? Thanks in advance.
With a 7" wide rim I don't think that 6-6 1/2" would be possible as the wheel center would not line up with the smallest diameter (well) portion of the rim hoop. Possibly a C4 and up Corvette wheel would work if the skirt would hide it. Roo
The skirt's take up two inches of space? What wheel type do you have? Steel wheels can have the centers relocated any where it'll fit the hoop.
Wheel companies will do custom offset wheels, but they can only go so far away from center. If you need 2 inches per side you might be stuck getting a narrower rear. Sent from my LM-Q710(FGN) using Tapatalk
Call Diamond Wheel in Milwaukee Wi they will make about anything if possible. I think the better alternative is to narrow the rearend but that’s probably more expensive.
Not sure, they were on an Anglia with a Pontiac/Olds rear, my buddy has a 56 with a Camaro rear and he said they were just like the set he had custom made for it.
Thank you, everyone, for all the ideas. I've been away for the weekend. The Plymouth's rear axle is from a '78 Buick Skylark and measures 54 inches. I prefer steel wheels, especially with my hopefully adding original fender skirts. Nobody seems to know the backspace of S-10 4x4 wheels. As I understand, Wheel Hollander doesn't include wheel backspace. I intend to look for the First Olds Toronado and Cadillac Eldorado wheels as suggested by Jimmy SIx. One thing I failed to mention is that the present tires stick out beyond the rear fenders and every once in a while rub on them, especially when I drive fast over a bumpy road.
A chart on Tire Rack shows the Eldorado and Toronado from 79 thru 85 have 5 on 4 3/4 bolt pattern. No info there on Buick Riviera from the same years, but its the same platform so the pattern should be the same. Toronado shows a 15 x 6.5" wheel with 1 5/8" positive offset. Backspacing should be half the rim width plus the positive offset so 3.25 + 1.625 = 4 7/8" I think that's likely the most backspacing you'll find on anything with a 15" rim and the bolt circle you want. Downside to all those wheels is a bunch of holes punched around the center so they're sorta ugly. No problem though if running hubcaps.
^^^^^^^like your post, but wheel covers will be limited on the second gen Eldo/Toro/Riviera wheels as the positive offset puts the wheel center so close to the rim only convex wheel covers will fit. Ray
Looks like the 83-94 S10 4x4 (or Jimmy s15 4x4) is your best bet for a stock wheel. I would either find them at a yard or find them on eBay and ask for the offset. It looks like those are 15x7 and most of the fwd cars that have that bolt pattern are 15x6. You can get steel wheels made with used centers and new hoops set at your specs. But the off set your looking for is most likely going to come from a FWD center.
The second series Cadillacs are 5 on 4-3/4" and are not as negative offset as the first series. I use them on both my LSR race cars.. The Cads are aluminum made by Kelsy Hayes. Their holes are made for shank style washer lugs which have the same diameter as the mid 70's 8 lug 3/4 ton Chevrolet pickups. I have 3 sets.
Thanks, everyone, who offered their helpful suggestions. This is the third time I have sought help from HAMB, and it is the third time I received the needed help. I discovered this afternoon that Summit Racing offers 1965 15 X 6 Corvette smoothie wheels with a 3.75 backspace for $330 plus change, and free shipping. I ordered them, and am quite certain they'll work. Thanks, again.