I have a very stock looking 68 with a 383 and auto tranny - except my rims. It has P205R70-14 tires all the way around on aluminum rims (still look pretty decent). The car sits level with a stock ride height. Obviously I need more meat in the back and am considering two different options:

1) Put a matching 15x8" aluminum rims on the back with the shortest 50 series 8" wide tire I can find (about 26" high) The 14"ers in the front would stay, they're 24.5 inches high. Would the difference in rim diameter front to back look odd?

2) Go with 15" ralley wheels all the way around - 15x7 in the front and 15x8 in the back. I'm concerned that the trim rings and hub caps would tend to fly off when I hit one of those infamous Michigan potholes.

My budget is too small for 16 or 17 inch rims or anything exotic, just don't want to do something that'll look stupid. What do you think?

My opinion is to go with the 15 inch ralleys. I live in northern Indiana, also famous for its potholes, and haven't had any problems with the trim ring or center caps falling off.

I agree 15's. I got 4 15x8 (fronts scrape) and the rings and centers are still there. Though I try to avoid the potholes out here in Colorado, kinda difficult to do.

Thanks guys. Anyone got a good source for new/repro ralley wheels? Time to start checking prices to see if they'll fit the budget.

Anyone running 14" in front and 15" in back out there? If so do you like the way they look?

Eric,

I have 15x7 on front and 15x8 in back. Summit or Jegs sells Wheel Vintiques at a good price. If you look around at car swaps and such you can find a set. You can sandblast, paint them and you're set.

Just my 2 cents,



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Jay
69 SS-350 4-speed
Hotchkis suspension

The Wheel Vintiques repros go for $50/each for the bare wheel at the big shows, like Carlisle. They come powder-coated in gray. You can usually pick up repro trim rings and center caps for cheap too (but avoid the really cheap ones -- terrible quality chrome).

I have seen catalog companies selling them for about $80/each.

Personally, I like the look of the mix 15x7 front, 15x8 rear using the 7" trim rings all around and flat 67-style center caps.

btw, carefully measure the distance front and rear from the mounting hub to the outside crease of the fender. My front drums stick 3/4" further out than the rear drums (which is normal), so 7" front and 8" rear with the same backspacing fills the fenders perfectly.

Thanks guys, what backspacing are you using Ken67SSRS? I have the Saginaw wide ratio P/S box (4.5 turns lock to lock) - the 7" will still work in front right?