My 5 hole Kidney Bean wheels from PS Engineering out in California showed up today. These are going on my '56 Thunderbird.
Thanks. It may be a while before they go on the car lots going on at the moment. Probably can't resist test fitting minus tires this weekend so I'll get a pic when I do that. I am open to some tips on tires. Wheels are 17x7 and 17x8. Size will be 215/50 and 245/45. My last old car project I used Bfg KDW2's.
That's sweet! Unlike some on here, I'm not offended by 17"wheels and radials. I like going around corners way too much!
Thanks for the compliments everyone! I am super happy w/ the look and craftsmanship on these wheels. They are certainly unique and give the car that something special.
looks great love that unskirted hot rod look on birds we have a 57 bird no skirts and a extended factory hood scoop gas tank is right behind the seat lik a pickup???? possible old road racer? what size wheels and tire are ya running ? the 57 should have 14's but we have tried stock 15 inch wheels froma 58 bird and they rubbed on the tie rod ends taller +narrow seems the way to make something work...
I like them on your bird. Is that a spare on the back? The spare kinda kills the competition look in my opinion. You got new rubber. No need for a spare. Love your paint color by the way.
Thanks, glad you like the look. I'm so used to the skirts, it may take a bit to get accustomed to the full view of the rear wheels but I think no skirts will be better for this set up. The car had stock 15" green wheels and hub caps with some very tall tires, 205/75 15's. The new PS Kidney Bean wheels are 17x7 and 17x8, tires are 225/50 and 245/45 Bfg KDW2's. No big problems on clearance yet.
Oh yea, those just look right on that bird. I'm with the others in that I'm not digging the spare hanging out in back while running those wheels and tires though.
I hear ya, fab32, Mr48chev, krylon32, curbspeed, ... It's a '56 so that's the only rear bumper I have. I need to find a '55 straight bumper to delete that continental kit. That's a bunch of coin at the moment. But will be working towards that direction.
Oh heck, I didn't see the spare! I'm with the crowd on that one, make that go away! But I do understand the $ involved! That green reminds me of a car running around Phoenix that I used to work on at a shop I apprenticed at almost thirty years ago. Did nothing but birds... Same green '56, but loaded with a 426 Chrysler max wedge and four speed! It hasn't changed one bit in 28 years, and the guy drives it daily from October to May!
17's and Radials really traditional! I'm sorry I'm snob it's your car you like it that's all matters. If this was a " whatta you guys think" post then my vote is it looks ok just Not appropriate here on tha hamb Dave Hitch
Just need a 55 t bird rear bumper and to fill in the rear body panel. Then it will look some much better.
Thanks for the honest comments. I'm just lucky to have the car so I'm going to enjoy it to the fullest. Just took an evenin spin, running around as the sun sets, then had a nice dinner at a local Tx Mx. I need to consider ride height now, the car needs an alignment so need to figure if I will drop the front some more or leave 'er as is? When I replaced the control arm bushings I cut 1/2 coil off, and might need another 1/4 coil?
Finally! Somebody agrees with me. I would still take the spare off until you find the right rear bumper. Those cars are so tuff. I would love to do one with piecrust slicks and a straight axle. Now that would be the shit right there!
Have you talked to Amos Minter in DFW about a bumper swap? A lot of the 'birds shown on his website www.amosminter.com have continental kits (in fact, he sells complete setups). Worth a call ... maybe they have something available. The car looks great ... unusual color that really works on that body style.
I have thought about the Conti and getting a '55 bumper, keeping this one... then here lately I saw a mild custom rod w/ a Continental kit, where the guy got a fifth wheel to match the four but it was super narrow more a display than a usable spare, like a mini spare but same as the road wheels. Maybe I'll call Phil at PS and see what he can do for a fifth..
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