Features Hot Rods with Bare Painted Steel Wheels Thread

@dwollam's Tudor

 

Big Al


Billy Gibbons newest 34

 

Max Balchowsky's 32



and Max Balchowsky's Ol Yeller

 

I don’t want to high jack this thread but if anyone has any info on this car please pm me. Several features closely match my 3 window that was in California up to the late 50’s.

 

My coupe shot by Trent Sherrill

More hot rod content:
WWW.IRONANDSTEELE.COM​

 

I HATE BARE PAINTED STEEL WHEELS

If you look at all the vintage pics posted here, Most are of racing (or preparing for racing) pics where you would remove any non-essential, non-secured parts for the event (sometime required). It wasn't a "look" they were going for, but rather a necessity.

Even in the "little books" when they would feature a street/strip rod, the street version would be running caps/covers.

I've always believed that the wheels "make or break" a car, and unless your rod is more strip than street oriented, it just looks like you don't give a shit.

It wasn't a "look/style" that they were shooting for back in the day...why would it be a look to shoot for today?

I just don't get plain steel wheels. JMO

 

The Kelly coupe . Originally built in philly Pa.

 

Sent from my iPad using H.A.M.B.

 

Rod & Custom cover November 1953
Three of the four cars have bare steel wheels, full feature inside without hubcaps!

 

That's an older picture, my cousin bought that car from Lee probably 20 years ago. It's been through a few changes over the years, but it's currently painted gloss black and sporting chrome reverse wheels. I'll have to see if I can get a current picture.

In the meantime, here's a shot of my A.

 

Crappy picture, fun day.

 

Were all entitled to an opinion which is one of the cool things about this hobby.
With my car I'm trying to make it as all business as possible down to weighing parts as I modify them. But those that know me best do in fact know I don't give a shit, so I'm not totally sure where I land in regards to this issue. Crazy times were living in here man.

 

I dunno Robert, the lack of caps/covers appears to be because they all look like they are race-ready to me. The 2 roadsters have windshields removed an none of them have their headlights.

 

Hey @adam401, just out to ruffle a few feathers...and certainly meant no disrespect. As a matter of fact, your coupe is one of the few that CAN pull off that steel wheel look. It looks like it's fresh off the salt/dry lakes. I love it

 

Frist of all I asked for photos of hot rods not for anyone opinion on the subject, personally I hate hubcaps and especially hate full wheel covers all I can think of is some Old Fart puttering down the road because he is afraid them flying off the wheels at highway speeds. A friend of mine had to repaint the quarter panel and fender skirt on his 53 Ford custom when the left front Lancer cap came off ricocheted curb and hit the side of the car and left a 5" long scratch.

You said "Even in the "little books" when they would feature a street/strip rod, the street version would be running caps/covers." and I disproved your agreement.

Running with no hubcap was something that happened at the time.
Some started doing because they knew they where going to have to take the caps off at the track so they just left them off.
Others did it so their cars looked like racecars.

None of these vintage photos form earlier in the thread seem to be any where near a drag strip, a race track, or the dry lakes.

 

Theres no problem here brother. I can assure you I was typing with a smile. Its just fun to tease each other a little