Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

I am a young guy here owning an "A" and a "AA", I kinda like to keep them original :D. Ok Guys, This bring me to my question... Why the 16 inch wheels?

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

Probably because radial tires are available in 16 inch sizes.

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

Probably because i like em

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

Cheaper tires, more stabil when driving down the road, more surface area touching the pavement, and they look good.

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

I look at the Model A Ford as an extremely pleasant piece of design work. I can understand the advantages of the 16" tires and wheels, but asthetically, to me, they look out of proportion to the car. I have seen exceptions, such as those with a larger, taller tires which look better, and they do seem a bit more passable on the '30-'31 models. To me, they look too small and fat for the tall, lanky, '28-'29 models. Thay just don't seem concentric to the curve on the fenders. Then again, I have issues with trunks mounted behind the spare tires and upside-down landeau irons, but my opinion matters not to what you choose to do with your car.

I have seen non-original cars on this site with certain modifications done well, and are pleasing to the eye. But there comes a point when the clean simplicity of the original car crosses over into the "clown car" catagory. Less is more.

Again, these are my thoughts only, and please keep your attacts to a minimum. Enjoy your car. Do whatever you find pleasing to you.

Richard

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

Probably got started during WW II when you could onlly get 16 inch tires if you were lucky. After that it stuck. I like the look of original 19's or 16 inch Kelseys equally on my '31 RDPU.


Charlie Stephens

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

They look good. They ride smoother. They cost less. Most important is they make people ask questions. ken

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

I like the looks too!!!

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

I like the looks of the 16 on mine.

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

I can't see the "looks better" ideas. To me, the wrong wheels/tires is the first thing I see when spotting an A driving down the road. From a quarter mile away, I'll tell my daughters "there's a Model A!" then the next thing out of my mouth "But they've got the wrong wheels on her..." Sorry, can't help myself.... Its your car and I would never tell anyone else how to dress their A, but I like the original "tall tires".

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

I'll admit if you run modern lower profile 16s they look terrible, but if you run some old 600x16s with a fat white wall they look good. When you hold the 600s up next to original 19s theres not that much height difference the main difference is the width.

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

In the '50s and '60s, it was more of a rarity to see regularly driven Model As with the original 21" or 19" wheels and tires, and almost never did I see them with anything but sealed beam headlights. A's with 16" wire wheels were the norm. Then, Model A's on the road were more often just daily transportation and had evolved to run on more available parts.

I have one A with smaller black wire wheels and black walls; and frequently I am asked if the car is original, and "What is it?". Ninety nine + percent of the general public only recognizes our old cars as "old cars."

I like smaller diameter wheels, but feel the A's fender shape needs a fairly tall tire for the car to look right with smaller wheels. It makes me happy and the car gets driven.

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

As a novice, I was shocked when I first saw 16" wheels on a Model A (in modern photographs). But as time went on I saw so many of these photos that I began to believe it was a Model A option. In other words, I thought they came that way from the factory.

It never occurred to me to "modernize" an old car (except for hot rods). But then I learned that modern mods make the car better. 16" wheels are more stable, alternators are more reliable, halogens are brighter, turn signals are safer, etc, etc, etc. With some creativity, you could turn your Model A into a Pinto!

You'll have to decide what mods fit your personality. Are you a hardcore purist? Or can you live with a few modern upgrades?

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

Funny you mention that, because you can fit a pinto motor in an A with very little modifications, mounts up to the flywheel housing and everything.

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

I drove my 1929 business coupe from Jan of 1960 thru early 1964 on the streets of Cincinnati with 21" wheels, mechanical brakes, 1 tail light, and non-sealed beam head lites. Additionally the car always passed the Cincy or Norwood, twice a year, safety lane check; which the brand new Chebbies often didn't. Availability of tires was not an issue, nor was stop-ability!!

Granted during that era I only saw one other 'A' used regularly, another '29 business coupe but with oval windows.

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

I was born in 1934. As I grew up, I was always interested in cars. Old cars, new cars, it didn't matter. In my teen years, a lot of the Model A's on the road were running 6:00X16 tires. To me, a Model A with 16's looks more capable, more like a real car. I have two A's: a roadster running 6:5016's with wide whitewalls, and a coupe running 19" blackwalls. The coupe looks ten years older, and sometimes that's good. The roadster has an overdrive and more horsepower. It feels much better at speed. To each his own.

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

If I could find 16" wire wheels with '30-31 centers, I might consider it. Otherwise I'm sticking with 19's. What I think really looks wierd is a 30 or 31 with 21" wires. See them like that on eBay all the time.

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

I would really like to run some 6.00X16 WWW tires on my '28 Roadster, but have the early (AR) brake drums. Only other rims besides the stock 28 rims that fit on it, are some old military Jeep steel wheels.

I want 16" wire wheels and have some. I may buy some spacers and machine them to fit on the AR brake drums. They would also help tires clear the rear shocks too.

I do prefer to have wire wheels on it, but I have other wheels with the 5X5.5 bolt pattern, that I would like to use to change it up, including a new set of Radir Wheels WWW cheater slicks.

WOO-HOO!

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

If I had a points car then I would want the original tires and wheels, but for a hobby /daily driver car I like the 16 in wheels with the 600/16 tires. I want both. I have the daily driver now looking for a points car.

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

I have the original size rims on my 31 coupe,the front end has been rebuilt and properly alligned,but on the paved county roads it will dive to one side or the other (hedge hop) maybe due to the narrow tires catching all the groves and uneven surfaces of the road,you really have to keep both hands on the steering wheel and pay special attention all the time,I am wondering if 16 inch tires would make a big difference in how it handles and drives .

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

Because the 16" rims came on the truck when I found it and they're in good shape. I had to buy new rubber for them. Finding and buying the truck happened very fast. I wanted to drive the truck soon after buying it. I had to restore some mechanical and safety issues with any old car that's been in hibernation for 43 yrs. I don't belong to the theory, " Just throw on any old 19" wheels". You guys know... Tubes and tires are expensive! A set of really good original 19" wheels are hard to obtain when you need them. Needless to say, the Slant sedan I'm restoring is having the correct wheels and tires on it.

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

Recheck the toe in.

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

I also have heard it started during the war years. By 1942, the 16-inch tire had been an industry standard for 7 years, whereas 19-inch tires were only around for a couple years, and 21-inch tires were decidedly old tech. If you were going to get any tires at all in the 1940s, it would probably be in 16-inch. I've even seen period advertisements for remanufactured Model A wheels with 16-inch rims.

A stock "A" with 16s just looks 1940s to me, which is fine if that's the look you're going for.

-Dave

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

I run both 16 & 19 wheels on my car. When asked for the car to be on display...I put on the 19's When on tour I put the 16 inch bent spoke kelseys on (with radial tires). It rides better brakes better and I get many more miles on radials than on the Firestones or Goodyears.
Bruce Davis [email protected]

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

I'm essentially a purist, but the 16's do look good on certain body styles- Coupes for instance. If I bought a Model A with 16's already on the car, I wouldn't be in any hurry to change them out.

Now stone guards on the other hand.............

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

If I could find a set with 30-31 (19") centers, I'd go for it.

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

I was browsing to see if there were any of the cut-down wheels for sale on the HAMB. I didn't find any, but I did stumble across a picture of a set:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/a...2&d=1209082692

-Dave

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

i drive mine as a daliy driver now and i love the 19s i had 16s on it and it just felt slugish and harder to turn swiched to 19s and couldent be happier yes my truck dose hedge hog in a lain thats cuz all my stering balls are worn and my 7 tooth is out of adj

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

In my case it was simple - they came on the car when I bought it 4 years ago. The car needed new tires so right off I showed my wife pictures of the cars with the 21's on them and ours and said pick one, because I need to buy either new 16" tires or new tires and 21" rims. She liked the 16s so here we are. BTW - these are still bias ply with tubes.

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

My 1st Model A had 16" wheels-so I got used to looking at them at an early age. I've got the correct ones on one of my cars and 16's on the other. ALSO,if you decide to run 16" wheels, you can use the rusty lug nuts that have been rattling around in the bottom of your tool box as they won't show once you install the hubcap!

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

Why? Simply because everybody else in High School ('49-'53) had 16 inchers so I had to have them as well............... Gar Williams

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

Another reason would be to set it apart from most of the other A's. A mild form of customizing.

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

Were the 16 inch wheels from another year between '31 and '39? Also, there are 17" wheels. What years are they?

Phil (oldfords)

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

Fords used 16-inch wheels from '35 to '39 (and on to '48), but in the years you listed, only the 1935 wires directly interchange with Model A wheels; in 1936-1939 Ford used a 5 on 10.25 (or 10.50, I can't remember) "Wide Five" bolt pattern. Seventeen-inch wheels date from 1933 and 1934.

-Dave

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

Every one has their own likes and dislikes regarding wheels. My first A had solid 16" wheels, took those off and went to solid 15" wheels took those off and went with the original 21" wheels and never looked back. Now regarding the radial question we just order 19" radials for the roadster pick up build. We will write that up in the Model A Times once the project build gets on the road!

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

Does Coker tire in Tenn. sell 16 in. wire wheels that will fit on the model 'A' with out spacers ? Any one have a set on their 'A' model and if so, what size tire do you use.
I called Coker the other day and ask, and the guy said he was not sure but he did not think so.[maybe a new guy?].
Thanks for any info.

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

650x16" BFG's from Coker on 35 Ford wires.

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

By around 1940 most cars were using pressed steel wheels, so K-H appear to have come up with some aftermarket ones to retro-fit to '28-'35 cars - I have several of these in 16" x 4" and 4-1/2", all with the correct raised centre to seat on the five nubs inboard of the studs. Unless they were made for another manufacturer who used the Ford pattern of 5 on 5-1/2", of course? Oddly, they take the '40s Lincoln caps rather than similar aged Ford ones, but maybe that was for a bit of extra prestige when updating your "old car"? :)

Re: Why the 16 inch wheels?
 

I think it depends on the body style. To my eye, 16's look ok on pickups, coupes, and maybe roadsters; on Fordors and Tudors, they just give it the look of an interrupted hot rod project, IMO.

Looks aside, there must be good reasons the whole world changed to the fatter tires, like road stability, stopping power, and safety. They do make car feel a bit more like a rod--more fun to bomb around in. However, they are noticeably harder to steer while stopped or barely rolling. Also, they are like switching from a standard (3.78) to a 4.11 rear end, at least from my 21" tires.

I had solid 16's on my car when I first got it many years ago, but I switched back as soon as I had the money. More recently, I borrowed a set of 1935 spoked 16's with tires mounted to try out again. I was planning to switch to 16's because of the glowing reports from our club members who have switched to 16's. I was annoyed to discover I still really liked the looks of the 21's. So, I invested in some pretty Firestones.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...oestrength.jpg

There are other options. In 1939, my dad had something else on his "A". I don't know if those are 17" or 18" tire, among his many mods.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...s/scan0028.jpg




Steve