RE: [Chrysler300] '55 Chrysler wire wheels

["Rich Barber" <c300@xxxxxxx>]

A responsible wire-spoke wheel repair shop owner here in the bay area of CA
told me it would cost more to restore a wheel than to buy a new one.  Lower
labor costs and a less restrictive business climate elsewhere might very
well make restoration the better economic decision.  I'm also told that much
of the chrome plating work taken to shops in CA is actually done in Mexico.
A proper wheel restoration should include careful inspection of the rim for
cracks and other corrosion or mechanical damage.   

 

A picture of an authentic Motor Wheel brand wire-spoke wheel, shod with
L78x15 Remington bias-ply tires with proper 3" WSW is attached-and available
to be sent directly to interested readers.  The server strips away pictures.


 

The little miniature die used as a valve cap was not available from the
factory but seemed to fit in with the overall black and white scheme on our
'55 C-300.

 

C300K'ly,

Rich Barber

Brentwood, CA (Raining--TBTG!)

 

From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Michael Moore
Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2014 2:48 PM
To: John Lazenby
Cc: Jack Boyle; chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] '55 Chrysler wire wheels

 

  

John,

as an English car junkie, I have to wonder why not have a wire wheel place
rebuild the old wheels with new ss spokes?

Mike Moore

300H

 

On Feb 6, 2014, at 1:32 PM, John Lazenby <french_fryguy@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

 

  

 

Jack,

 

Yes, stainless spokes are the way to go.  Keep the following in mind.  Your
C300 more than likely has a 4.5" bolt pattern.  If so the original MotorRim
wires were 48 spokes.  To the best of my knowledge you will not find such in
aftermarket "Chinese" wheels.  

 

More than likely they will be 52 to 56 spokes.  Imperial - T&C MotorRim
wires were 52 spokes and wider than the 48 spoke version if I remember by
.5" with a 5.5" bolt pattern.  

 

Your last comment with the provided links was the clincher for me.  The hubs
on all aftermarket wheels are different in appearance than original MotorRim
examples.  I guess I've got the "eye" as I can easily spot them. and the
shape-angle of the spokes are also different.

 

I didn't open each of the provided links BUT when I see "Kelsey Hayes
Chrysler Wheels" I have to laugh as there was and is no such animal.  Watch
auctions and listings and this is a dead give away that who ever writes the
comments up and beyond that the seller has no idea of accurate
documentation.

 

Last, if factory wheels are sealed properly with silicone around the spoke
area there are no issue with leaks.  My '55 T&C MotorRim wires are such and
they've been on the car for 8.5 years with no issues.  All of my other cars
with MotorRim wires have tubes and once again no issues.

 

Good luck with your purchase,

 

John Lazenby

 

On Thursday, February 6, 2014 1:14 PM, Jack Boyle <jackcboyle@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

  

Ok, I am ready to pull the pin on buying new/reproduction wheels for my
C300. 

 

I have been running; out of true, leaky, 65 year old wheels too long. Now I
have discovered another broken spoke. I want new, shiny, straight, hassle
free and tubeless wheels before I hit the road at 80 mph this spring. I
appreciate all the offers for used wheels or repair sources but I have
decided on new.

 

I received some recommendations for stainless spokes which seems prudent, I
also want the spoke and hub style to be 100% factory equipment accurate.
Here are the sources I have found. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

 

http://www.hobbycar.com/chrysler.html 

 

http://www.cokertire.com/wheels/chrysler-wire.html 

 

http://www.wheelvintiques.com/index.php/wheels/classic/chrysler-wire-76-seri
es.html 

 

http://www.cadillacworld.net/ChryslerKelseyHayesWheels.html 

 

I can't imagine that there are four manufacturers making these wheels. I
suspect one or two at the most are the root sources of the modern product.

 

For those of you that are so fond of original wheels, I will have four 1955
wire wheels for sale soon. I removed them with my own hands from another
C300 in New Mexico in the 70's. See:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1072476941250
<https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1072476941250&set=a.1072473981176.1
1609.1505965130&type=3&theater>
&set=a.1072473981176.11609.1505965130&type=3&theater 

 

Thank you for your feedback._

 

 

Jack Boyle

(913) 544 4650

 

Enjoying the same C-300 since 1967

 

 

_,_._,___

 

 

 





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



------------------------------------

To send a message to this group, send an email to:
Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx or
go to http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Chrysler300/join and select the "Leave Group" button

For list server instructions, go to http://www.chrysler300club.com/yahoolist/inst.htm

For archives go to http://www.forwardlook.net/300-archive/search.htm#querylangYahoo Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chrysler300/

<*> Your email settings:
    Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chrysler300/join
    (Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
    Chrysler300-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
    Chrysler300-fullfeatured@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    Chrysler300-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> Your use of Yahoo Groups is subject to:
    http://info.yahoo.com/legal/us/yahoo/utos/terms/