Were 1970-71, 16 Slot Rally Rims Made of Stainless Steel?

[Gerald Morris]

Greetings C Body Moparians!

Autumn is my favorite season for automotive projects! With Gertrude's 4th Anniversary with us just past, I'm seriously shopping for the best tires we can find for her for the best $. I found a couple or 3 yrs ago a SWEET deal on 5 16 slot Rally Rims, from a 1971 Chrysler Newport if the junk yard crayon marks can be believed, and after the nasty little failure of one of the 14 inch rims this summer past, I figure its high time to prepare those rims to receive new rubber. First, let's observe the state of the rims as I purchased them:

One can readily see the Arizona "patina" of rust around the rim, everywhere but on the chrome plating on the outside meant for public viewing. So, I bought a good stock of Duplicolor for rims, and with the cooler weather commenced to remove rust and old paint. Now let's see what I discovered for my effort to date:

NICE to see the old factory stamps emerge from the steel! I definitely WILL clearcoat these and tape them off after before I prime the rest of the paintable surfaces. I also will protect well the chrome-plated outside facing well before I spray at all. Be this as it may. those stamps show the authenticity of the rims. I expected an ordinary steel shine to this, but looking at the rim as I can now, suspect they may well be made of a stainless steel; thus the title of this thread. Does anyone KNOW?

I'll update with pics of them after painting. Might take a while...

Stay tuned!

 

[FURYGT]

Not stainless steel.

 

[Gerald Morris]

Not stainless steel.

OK, thanks big BIG! 4 that datum. I'd best cover all that bare shiny surface quickly then.

 

[CBODY67]

The W23s which came OEM on my '70 Monaco Brougham are pure steel. Which is why they rust. The chrome is only on the area where the slots are, or the whole center, covered in the matte silver paint. The OEM chrome is designed to be more "satin" rather than "bumper chrome". Also obviously thinner, too.

NOW, the 1979 Cordoba 300s had a factory wheel which looked similar to the W23s, but were 15x5.5 wheels of stamped aluminum. IF they had been 15x7, they would have better-fit the factory G60-15 tires, but they were not.

You spent a good deal of time polishing that steel! Looks good.

Enjoy!
CBODY67

 

[6PKRTSE]

My favorite C Body wheels. Mine cleaned up nicely. I have another set for just in case another C body comes along someday.

 

[Gerald Morris]

The W23s which came OEM on my...., but they were not.

You spent a good deal of time polishing that steel! Looks good.

Enjoy!
CBODY67

Oh yes! But I MUST put the effort in to remove ALL the old rust and paint. Tempting as clearcoating the whole job is, I'll stick with the plan to prime, then use factory silver in the proper places, and to buff the chrome as well as I can. Fine steel wool does wonders for chrome plating, with plenty elbow grease for the polish. Tempting as 235/60s are, I'll likely stick with 225/70s, which closely match the diameter of the 215/75 14s on the car now. I would rather not have to diddle with the speedometer pinion gears, though I've a decent set of them, as my current one matches the GPS speedo very precisely.

 

[6PKRTSE]

Oh yes! But I MUST put the effort in to remove ALL the old rust and paint. Tempting as clearcoating the whole job is, I'll stick with the plan to prime, then use factory silver in the proper places, and to buff the chrome as well as I can. Fine steel wool does wonders for chrome plating, with plenty elbow grease for the polish. Tempting as 235/60s are, I'll likely stick with 225/70s, which closely match the diameter of the 215/75 14s on the car now. I would rather not have to diddle with the speedometer pinion gears, though I've a decent set of them, as my current one matches the GPS speedo very precisely.

235/60's are too low of a profile for a big ole C Body. The taller 70's will look better. That is what I have on my car as pictured.

 

[Gerald Morris]

My favorite C Body wheels. Mine cleaned up nicely. I have another set for just in case another C body comes along someday.

LOVELY NY'ER! Very tastefully done. I got my wheels for a truly Providential price, and am glad, especially looking at what you did with yours.

 

[6PKRTSE]

LOVELY NY'ER! Very tastefully done. I got my wheels for a truly Providential price, and am glad, especially looking at what you did with yours.

Thanks, I still have the fender skirts in the trunk, but I don't like how they look as much as it does without them, and they hide the look of the Road wheels in the rear.

 

[Gerald Morris]

Thanks, I still have the fender skirts in the trunk, but I don't like how they look as much as it does without them, and they hide the look of the Road wheels in the rear.

I can dig the urge to show off one's good wheels. I'll probably leave Gertrude's skirts on her, given the modest width of the rally rims, though the Babushka gets to weigh in w her opinion, since she now makes most of the family $. If SHE wants folks to see the wheels, they'll be shown, in all their glory. I INSIST on some sort of white rubber on our tires, as this marks the Age of Detroit Quality as nothing else does. I'm even happy to support the extra $ for the labor needed to make a good whitewall or raised white letter tire. I miss Hankook Optimas, but those have joined the Pharaohs now....

 

[Gerald Morris]

235/60's are too low of a profile for a big ole C Body. The taller 70's will look better. That is what I have on my car as pictured.

MUCH Obliged! So, those rims will run 235 70s just dandy then. GOOD! I lack center caps. Did you use one of these latter day after-market sources, or did you cop some of the old production caps with the rims? I'm shopping carefully for these, and am in no hurry, but any further light you can shed on this matter will be appreciated.

 

[Vinny]

Love this pose! U code.