RE: [Chrysler300] 52 Spoke Motor Wheels ???

["Rich Barber" <c300@xxxxxxx>]

Motor Wheel brand name is stamped inside the rim.  Not visible with a tire
on it.  Imperials have a different bolt circle, also.  And, different bolt
size, as I recall.  Wagons use the Imperial wheels.  ?53-?55 wheels must
have the holes between the lug holes for the indexing pin.  I have not heard
whether these holes are there on the ?56 wheels, but assume they may have
the indexing holes, also?even though not needed with ?56 hubs with studs.

I find it interesting that Chrysler did not install the wider Imperial
wheels and hubs on the 300's.  It is written that it was to reduce cost.
Whaddaya want for $4,100?  Egg in your beer?  Bean counters often spoil some
of the fun.

Here is what Wayne Graefen has written in his ?57 manual:  (A ?felloe? is
the outer part of the wheel?the part that receives the tire.  New word for
me.)

WIRE  WHEELS
Those beautiful chrome wire wheels were only Chrysler-offered factory
equipment on the 1953 through 1956 Chrysler products (including the C300 and
300B).  For 1957 and later they were a dealer installed accessory only.  No
300C, other, or later Chrysler model ever came with wire wheels as factory
equipment.
   The wheels offered by Chrysler Corporation from the factory or from
dealer parts departments were Motor Wheel Company brand.  They are not
Kelsey Hayes brand as is so often written and said.  Motor Wheels for
Imperial, Chrysler and DeSoto cars are short-laced only to the innermost
part of the felloe.  Dodge and Plymouth Motor Wheels are short and long
laced to the inner and outer part of the felloe.   Kelseys are all short and
long-laced.
   The Chrysler short-laced 48-spoke wheels are shared with DeSoto having a
5 bolt on 4-1/2" pattern.  The 52-spoke short-laced wheels used on Imperials
have the Imperial 5 bolt on 5-1/2" pattern.  Chrysler and DeSoto ?estate
wagons? had Imperial suspension and thus also used Imperial wheels.  The
short and long-laced 48-spoke wheels of Dodges and Plymouths have a 5 bolt
on 4-1/2? pattern.  Dodge and Plymouth wheels were offered chrome plated or
argent painted.
     Reproduction chrome wire wheels are available in the hobby.   
   NOTE:  The Kelsey Hayes 52-spoke wheels which were available for Hudson,
Kaiser, and Thunderbird all have the 5 bolt on 4-1/2" pattern.  They were
offered both chrome or argent painted.  Kaiser Golden Dragon models had gold
plated Kelseys.


And, here is a good link to nearly identical information (from Sweden--Tack,
Ulf!)

Dear Rich,

With courtesy of Charlie Fisher and his eminent homepage
www.chrysler300country.com  ;  Here is a bit of reading on the subject.


http://chrysler300country.com/motor_rim_wheels.htm 

Best regards

Ulf Larsson, Sweden  

And thanks to all that helped me through this interesting subject.

C-300?ly,
Rich Barber

________________________________________
From: Kathy Rook [mailto:kmrook@xxxxxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 10:51 PM
To: 'Intl 300'; Rich Barber
Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] 52 Spoke Motor Wheels ???

Regarding the wire wheel question from Rich, all my Chrysler wheels are 48
spoke as are the Dodge ones also.  My Imperial ones are all 52 spoke.  Where
are the marking to tell the manufacturer?  Sincerely,  Don Rook
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Rich Barber 
To: 'Intl 300' 
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2009 7:21 PM
Subject: [Chrysler300] 52 Spoke Motor Wheels ???

I've been in communication with a member regarding a set of wire-spoke
wheels advertised on eBay. I noticed they had 52 spokes and declared them
not to be authentic Motor Wheel brand as found on '55 Chryslers as I was of
the opinion they only had 48 spokes. The seller responded they had come
from his '55 Chrysler, provided a picture of the Motor Wheel stamping inside
and confirmed all had 52 spokes. The member is asking if these might be
wire wheels from an Imperial or Crown Imperial of that era. 

Anyone know if any Chrysler or Imperial Motor Wheel brand wire wheels had 52
spokes? I had told the member they were probably Kelsey Hayes wheels, but I
have apparently misled him. I'll ask him to have the vendor measure width,
bolt circle and bolt hole size as I recall these were different for Imps.

To cover his next question, please advise if you are knowledgeable of a shop
that can be trusted to do a high-quality restoration job on a set of these
wheels. Also, a contact for the guy in LA that markets the reproduction
pseudo knockoff caps. The member lives in the San Diego area.

C-300'ly,
Rich Barber
1955 Chrysler C-300 (with 5-1/2" wide 15" wire wheels-Motor Wheel brand,
restored, 48 SS spokes, PIA to clean--but worth it)
Brentwood, CA Perfect 70 degrees at 5:20 PM





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