WTB: Set Steel Wheels 5 1/2x15

[jedwards]

Sorry for the regular repeat posting looking for steel wheels.
I'm looking for a set of 5 1/2x15 suitable for chroming.
Not fussy about date.

[9er]

I am sure that your cheapest and easiest option is to buy them from Stoddard or Sierra Madre.
I think I might have made this point somewhere before, but buying 4 or 5 old wheels to suit and then bringing them up to the required standard, rolling straightening etc. will not be cost effective IMO.

[mr901]

Chris is absolutely correct. I have three sets of steel wheels in various sizes that I collected and restored.....while happy with the outcome buying a set as above would have been easier and cheaper.

Kind Regards

[AdamGill]

Hi Jeff

Just posted:

http://www.early911sregistry.org/forums/showthread.php?109324-Chrome-Steel-Wheels

Cheers
Adam

[jedwards]

Thanks Adam.
Good spotting. I've dropped him a line.

[Merv]

They looked good Jeff, not cheap tho. I was thinking of going back to steelies at some stage as my car came with them in 1968. One would think there would be heaps around that could be cleaned, straightened, balanced and chromed. Not too many seem to pop up however.

[jedwards]

Yes, steelies are oddly difficult to find and expensive.
Repros are a lot more expensive that repro Fuchs, and all the major US suppliers (Sierra Madra, Pelican, Aases, Vertex and Stoddard) have been out of stock since late 2014. I've had a set on back order for 4 months.
Including freight, they work out at close to $600 each and I still cannot get them.

[Fishcop]

Although steel wheels were standard, most buyers opted for the Fuchs upgrade option or dealers upgraded to Fuchs to move a car... Far more cars left the showroom floor on Fuchs than on steel wheels.

Just because car was 'standard' on the kardex doesn't mean mean it had steelies... You need to see the delivery papers (which of course most people didn't keep).

[Merv]

The Kardex will usually say "Lochscheibenrader" (set of chromed wheels).

[jedwards]

May car was not supplied with "Steels 'n Caps" but it is period correct for late 70. I just love the heritage and simplicity of the look.

So my factory RHD, matching numbers, original 8080-H Silver Metallic with Steels 'n Caps (similar to the LHD one above) is the bee's knees in my view.

[Merv]

Looks really good Jeff. I will be looking for some later this year - if there are any around!

[Merv]

I did read however on ESR that they look but good but the driving experience is not all that great. Would be tyre dependent I guess.

"I love the look as well, but I took a spin around the block and went back to fuchs. I thought my steering was broken and I'd lost 30 hp"

[jedwards]

Wow, I had not expected that. I might get some general feelings on that from the Forum.

[Merv]

Will be interesting Jeff, as I suspect that the straightness and balance of the old steel wheels will be a factor as well as the the tyreing. I did see that some (15x6) weigh about 20lbs compared to 12 for an equivalent Fuchs.

[epilot]

is the bee's knees in my view.

Jeff, not sure i agree from an aesthetic point of view ! i always associate the steelies with the very 'dainty' look of the SWB cars. Cant comment on the driving experience as my car has only ever had Fuchs.

My 8080 on Fuchs