1963 New Yorker Wheel Options

[aaron72]

I am in need of replacing my tires due to the age of them from the car sitting so long before I purchased it in November.

While I love the look of the wheel covers the car has, I am less than thrilled by the lack of tire options in the 215/75R14 size range, so I am exploring the possibility of moving to a larger diameter wheel for more tire options as well as reducing the size of the sidewalls for better handling. I am looking at the possibility of going to an 18 inch wheel as it provides the best options for tire widths while maintaining the circumference of the tire to match up to original equipment to keep the speedometer and gearing as close to stock as possible.

I'd like to keep a classic look to the wheels and not go muscle car or too far new generation as I think it drastically changes the look of the car. Also, not looking for a very "open" wheel as the brakes underneath won't be all that pretty.

I came across these Schott Bel-Air's that I think would be perfect, but they are around $2,500 per wheel, which a set would be more than the car was.

Does anyone have any recommendations of larger wheels they've seen work well on these cars? I'm open to any ideas.

 

[marko]

you could put a set of 15" road wheels on..............

 

[CBODY67]

You could always go with the American Racing VN-501s 15x7 with whitewalls, 15x7 4.00" backspacing. Many times on sale at Summit Racing.

The wider rim width will aid the handling of even normal 75-series tires. P225/75R-15 tiers or even the P215/75R-15 tire, too.

Chk with Discount Tire/Tire Rack for brands of whitewalls that ARE available.

You know about the RH and LH wheel studs? Just curioius.

CBODY67

 

[aaron72]

You could always go with the American Racing VN-501s 15x7 with whitewalls, 15x7 4.00" backspacing. Many times on sale at Summit Racing.

The wider rim width will aid the handling of even normal 75-series tires. P225/75R-15 tiers or even the P215/75R-15 tire, too.

Chk with Discount Tire/Tire Rack for brands of whitewalls that ARE available.

You know about the RH and LH wheel studs? Just curioius.

CBODY67

Thanks for the recommendation. I've seen these wheels around and on cars and feel they change the look from classy to sporty and I'm trying to avoid that if I can. Wheels look great, I just see them a bit more in place on a 2 door or sportier body style

And yes, I'm aware of the different direction threads on each side.

 

[Big_John]

You could go with a Magnum 500 type wheel. These were factory options for 1967 B-bodies and up. They became available in the aftermarket around 1965, so it could be a "Day 2" type wheel and it's still a Mopar type wheel (although Fords got them too). They are available in the aftermarket now, all kinds of sizes and not crazy money.

Here's a few cars with them. Put Magnum 500 wheels on my '68 Chrysler

 

[CBODY67]

That mega$$$ wheel looks nice and somewhat similar to some of the factory-type 1955 wheel covers, a bit.

Seeking to keep something like the current factory wheel covers, but with 15" wheels, will always look a bit different than OEM, especially to those who know what they are looking at.
BUT finding a 15x6.5 or 15x7 Chrysler factory wheel will be an improvement. Then you can seek out a set of the 1969-197_ factory wheel covers which look very similar to what is now on the car. That would maintain the "luxury" look you presently have.

The wider wheel will help handling with a P215/75R-15 tire as the tire sidewall will be more vertical to the ground, rather than being bowed with the narrower rims. It can make a surprising difference, from my experiences.

The issue with 18" is that no whitewalls are available for those sizes in "modern rubber". PLUS the wheels will all show the "needing attention" brake drums. There is ONE wheel which mimics the 15" GM Pickup truck Rally Wheel, which is also very similar to the W23s, but with the GM styling cues on the center caps and such. If tha tone is available in 18x7 size, with 4.0" backspacing, that might be an option. But people would want to ask how you got that Chevy pickup truck wheel to fit your Chrysler, I suspect. Seems like Vision Wheel has it? With the Chrysler bolt pattern, might be able to use the W23 center caps? Maybe even use some of the B/E-body rallye wheel wheel centers?

The 15x7 "cop car" wheels are in repro, but some looing around might find some in the salvage yards, too.

Just some thoughts,
CBODY67

 

[aaron72]

That mega$$$ wheel looks nice and somewhat similar to some of the factory-type 1955 wheel covers, a bit.

Seeking to keep something like the current factory wheel covers, but with 15" wheels, will always look a bit different than OEM, especially to those who know what they are looking at.
BUT finding a 15x6.5 or 15x7 Chrysler factory wheel will be an improvement. Then you can seek out a set of the 1969-197_ factory wheel covers which look very similar to what is now on the car. That would maintain the "luxury" look you presently have.

The wider wheel will help handling with a P215/75R-15 tire as the tire sidewall will be more vertical to the ground, rather than being bowed with the narrower rims. It can make a surprising difference, from my experiences.

The issue with 18" is that no whitewalls are available for those sizes in "modern rubber". PLUS the wheels will all show the "needing attention" brake drums. There is ONE wheel which mimics the 15" GM Pickup truck Rally Wheel, which is also very similar to the W23s, but with the GM styling cues on the center caps and such. If tha tone is available in 18x7 size, with 4.0" backspacing, that might be an option. But people would want to ask how you got that Chevy pickup truck wheel to fit your Chrysler, I suspect. Seems like Vision Wheel has it? With the Chrysler bolt pattern, might be able to use the W23 center caps? Maybe even use some of the B/E-body rallye wheel wheel centers?

The 15x7 "cop car" wheels are in repro, but some looing around might find some in the salvage yards, too.

Just some thoughts,
CBODY67

Appreciate all of the insight. It's a tough line to try to find the right balance of luxury, with a more modern wheel size.

 

[Imperialist67]

I always thought the Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels look good on these cars, up until '65 anyway....... Wheel Vintiques has them, not cheap by any means, but with the 2-prong spinner, is a period correct (almost, anyway) look for the car, AND you don't have to worry about wheel covers flying off.......

15x6 76 Chrysler Wire | Chrome | 5x4.5 bp | 3 bs

15x6 76 Chrysler Wire Chrome 5x4.5 bolt pattern 3 backspace

wheelvintiques.com

 

[SGT FURY]

On 63/64 Chryslers I’ve always liked the look of 1979 300 wheels.