gm alluminum wheels

[Big Burgundy]

Anyone have the gm alluminum wheels from a mid 80's half ton on their car? Just wondering if someone has a pic.

[32kCenturion]

Im not sure what you are describing. Half ton as in a truck?

[Big Burgundy]

Yes, not the rally wheels, but the aluminum rims with the same center cap as the rally wheels. Just curious what the car would look like with them on. I have a chance to pick some up, but not sure how it would look.

[Centurion717273]

Personal opinion, awful!!:Dou:

[32kCenturion]

I am not sure I have seen what you are describing. Do you have an image of one?

[Big Burgundy]

Here is a picture.
http://pic70.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1877/8082028/15152753/378874029.jpg

I'm afraid they won't look right either.

[73 Centurion]

Looks aside, those aren't going to work. Unless the picture is wrong they have 6 holes for lug nuts.

Our bolt pattern is 5 X 5.

If you found a version with 5 holes I would then check the size of the hub opening in the middle of the rim. Ideally the hole would fit our hub flange nicely. Too big would mean extra pressure on the wheel studs and too small would probably crack the rim when you tightened them down.

I've looked at several SUV rims as possible alternatives and there are a number of aluminum rims with the right bolt pattern, but the hub opening is usually too small. A machine shop could open them up, but the expense of the rims, plus machining makes them more expensive than a nice set of rally rims.

If I found a steal, on a style I liked I would probably paint the center of the rim to match my car. This helps them blend in and disguises their OEM origins. A little creativity and some Buick spinners would complete the disguise.

John

[Big Burgundy]

That is the only pic I could find of them. The ones I can get are 5 bolt. I was thinking about getting buick emblems and putting them on the caps if they would look ok

[73 Centurion]

Since the bolt pattern is right I would get a measurement of the hole in the center of the rim and see if it will fit over your hubs. If it passes that test and you know the seller you could to borrow one for a day. You could double check the fit. I it works you could have an extra tire mounted on the rim and give it a look.

Mounting a tire runs around $10 and you could probably talk them into taking the tire off for $5. For $15 and a bit of running around you could see how they look. Take some pictures and think on it.

If you know someone who is good with photo shop they can probably put a set on your car digitally as long as you can find a reasonable picture of the tires to begin with. Even a good straight shot of the rim should be enough they can shrink and squeeze the image and superimpose it over your hubcaps. It won't be perfect but it will give you a reasonable idea.

If you find an image of the Buick logo you'd like to use (I'm fond of the finned Riviera center caps from the late 60's) they might be able to add that as well.

John