I have my wheels picked out. Scott Drake 15x7 styled steel wheels(Mustang look). Part # C5ZZ-1007-CR. According to the Holley website, backspacing is 3.98", but Summit lists the same wheel with a 4.25" backspace, so I’m not sure what it is.
I have been unable to find a vendor that makes a trim ring for these 15" wheels. Perhaps they never made one. I believe you can get a trim ring for the same wheel in 14". Any thoughts?
I plan to buy 15" redline tires. Any reason I shouldn’t consider a bias ply or should I go with a radial tire that looks like a bias ply? I’ll be lowering the car about two inches all the way around and plan to run the same size tire on all four corners, so my front tire size will dictate my limit in the rear of the car. I think size options that are safe include E60 or F60. G60 might be too big in the front? Is anyone running any of these sizes with a lowered car? Open to comments or suggestions.
Thanks.
Are some tires still using the letter system for sizing? I’ve only bought tires with the numeric/metric sizing specifications.
I think the challenge facing guys using 14” and 15” wheels is available tires, especially if you are looking for a performance variant. While 15” performance tires certainly exist, the aspect ratio to fit the vintage look does not as I understand things now.
The redline series seems to use just the lettering system, which means you have to check the description of each tire to determine sectional width and for each manufacturer they are also small differences. For example, on the Firestone Redlines, E=219mm, and F=232mm, and a G=240mm.
I see. Thanks. I want a trim ring to make it appear more original to the factory issued wheel. IMO the trim ring finishes off the wheel and counters all the chrome bling(aftermarket look).
Perhaps I will switch to the 14", albeit less tire choices.
Thanks for the link. I wonder if the original trim rings had a rounded edge or a tapered edge.
See topic title…'68 Cougar.
Lots of owners in the same boat…can’t find a decent set of Cougar OEM or aftermarket styled steel wheels.
Don Rush does a good video on this. He’s a fan of the Legendary series. I bought a set of the 67/8 Cougar reproductions on these grounds. The old SSW repops are discontinued for quality reasons. Vintique does something now but I don’t know much about them.
Problem with OEM SSWs is not just the 14” size, it’s the riveted construction. There used to be companies that could put an original center in a new, larger wheel, which should be the best of both worlds. If anyone knows where to get this done, please shout.
I think stockton wheel is back and running. They used to make the straighest wheel around. Pete Paulson not so good. We were doing old mopar wheels to get the centers and cap clips. After you drill out the rivets, dont use a ress to get the center out , just make a band saw cut from the od to one of the reliefs at the center….the outer band will spring open
So do you have a source that will put a new wheel around the old styled steel wheel centers? That is EXACTLY what I need too!!! Centers are great with no cracks, but the wheels are not round anymore.
I had seen Don’s video, thank you.
The Legendary wheel is not chromed, so it doesn’t have the factory finish I am seeking.
Wheel Vintiques(Coker Tire) are junk according to what I have heard.
Great points made regarding riveted v. welded, limited tire choices, and out of round rim tubs.
I will most likely go with the 15" Mustang wheel with possibly a trim ring. Thanks.
