Lincoln wheels?

I was taking some measurements this morning on a spare wheel I have for my 1952 Lincoln. The wheel is a 15x6, 5x5 1/2 bolt pattern, with a 5" backspace! Does anyone know if this is the factory size. I had to look at the tape 3 different times because I thought I was reading something wrong! (I measured from the backside of the monuting flange to the outside lip of the wheel).

 

I guess everyone is as stumped as me. I assume these was the factory wheels because all 5 (4 on the car and a spare) seem to be the same. Anybody got one they want to part with cheap?

 

sorry no extra wheels here but I like your Lincoln a lot! nice car.

 

Thanks! I can't believe I can't find any info on the web concerning the original wheels on my Lincoln.

 

Well....if the dimension you give of 15 x 6 is 6" between the flanges, but you measured the backspacing from the outer lip, you picked up a 1/2" of backspacing.

Put another way if you look at the overall width (outside to outside), it'll be about 7", the 5" backspacing means the wheel has about a 2" offset.......doesn't seem so extreme.

Ray

 

Look around the valve stem hole...many wheels are date stamped thereabouts, and if they say '52 that would suggest original...another thing is that there were not all that many interchanges available for 5 1/2 circle and modern sizes.

 

Thanks, that kind of makes it seem a little more normal when I look at it that way. Really wish I could find a couple more.

 

If you absolutely set on getting an original Lincoln wheel one will probably turn up sometime. However, and you may very well already know this, the 5 x 5 1/2" bolt pattern was shared by '49 thru '51 Mercs, Ford pickups, some vans and Broncos for decades. The major difference with the later wheels may be the hub cap mounting for 'poverty caps"....but for full wheel covers, they would work just fine.

Ray

 

You might try on thelincolnforum.net. Those guys would know. Gorgeous car BTW, I love the road race Lincolns.

 

Thanks guys. I don't care if they are original wheels or not and I do run full covers. I will start searching for some wheels at the local salvage yard next time I go. I just didn't know if I would have any luck with that kind of backspace. Anyone know any websites that list the wheels used on what vechicles? Something that showed width and backspace would be great.

 

Not too sure about the early cars, but I know on my '60 the correct fitting wheels aren't all that easy to find.

I do remember the early 50s cars having a weird backspacing...

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=115542

 

Thanks that was great info!

 

I have 2 stock wheels from our 49 hoggin' up space in the garage. We'd be glad to see them go!

 

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