'35 Ford rims on Model A's
 

Man they sure are popular. Today's MAFCA 'A' of the Day (8-1-2017) has a group of guys touring out in the NW and all five A's have '35 rims:o

I don't have a problem with that, it's a bolt-on and no different than all the Mustangs and Chevelles and the like back in '69 that were running Cragar S/S's doesn't take away from the value of the car.

Just got me to thinking that there should be a plentiful supply of GOOD '35 Ford rims about. Ford sold a million new cars in '35 it was a stellar year for them even with a Depression still lingering on. Bolt pattern same as Model A and you don't have the weird sizes of say a '32 Ford with 18" tires and rims.

I actually prefer the stock look with stock rims and tires myself but I'm mostly stock still have most of my original parts:) What say you guys?? Comments??

http://www.mafca.com/photos/CoverCar.jpg

Re: '35 Ford rims on Model A's
 

Well, before the car was off the carrier I had a set of KH's on the way, just something about the look that it screamed 16's.

Re: '35 Ford rims on Model A's
 

I have a set of '35 wheels for my Phaeton and another set for a recently acquired '31 S/W Town Sedan along with the stock wheels.

I plan to mount the '35 wheels on the Phaeton this September when we start an East Coast road trip. I have 16" Coker Classic Radials mounted on the wheels. I keep the 21" stock wheels on the Phaeton the rest of the driving season.

I am setting up the '31 S/W as a touring car to tow a camper and will be leaving the '35 wheels on it year round. I have Coker classic radials, 600R-16's on the front and 700R-16 rear. I chose 700R-16 for the rear because the inflated height is the same as new 19" tires. This allows me to use original 19" wheels/tires as the spares for my combined rig. Camper will eventually have 19" and the car can accept the same in any location. The car has a side-mounted spare on driver's side and at the rear. Two spares...better for long trips.

I like the stock look but like a little more rubber on the road when touring at highway speeds for safety. JMO


Good Day!

Re: '35 Ford rims on Model A's
 

My roadster was set up for touring by the previous owner, George Hawkins (RIP) of the Utah Bees chapter. It has been a joy to be the caretaker.
Most people see it as a "stocker", a wire wheel is a wire wheel, isn't it?
The turn signals and third brake light are the other visible non-stock items.
It takes some experience with A's to see things like the non-stock striping and yellow wheels. I have an info sheet titled "Not quite as built by Henry" that I share with those that have more than a passing interest. Russ

Re: '35 Ford rims on Model A's
 

I have a set of 17s 5.50 on my '29 CCPU, I feel it rides and handles better with them, than the 21" narrow tires. I don't do shows or fine point so for a driver it works for me. I do like the 21" wheels look.

Re: '35 Ford rims on Model A's
 

I have a set of 16 inch 35 wheels that I had powder coated gloss black to put on my coupe, but sold the coupe. I guess I should sell them, but shipping wheels is a pain.
The 29 speedster I have for sale on the swap page has a nice set of 16s on it.

Re: '35 Ford rims on Model A's
 

I have 16's on my Tudor,they were on the car when I purchased it.I like them.

Re: '35 Ford rims on Model A's
 

My 1930 is much more stable with the 1935 16's on it. 600x16 front 750x16 rear.
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps5ysy4wjq.jpg

Re: '35 Ford rims on Model A's
 

Dave,

The 6.00 - 16's on the front and 7.00 - 16's on the rear is what I had on my 48 Ford Coupe back in the day. Although my rears were 7.00 + don't remember exactly what. Gives it that "raked" look. Show us some pictures.

David Serrano

Re: '35 Ford rims on Model A's
 

The model A had such a long life of daily use because of the depression and WW2. People had to use them longer than normal and many were switched to the 16 inch tires during the tire shortages in the war years. Many were still secondary cars 20 years after manufacture and 16s were easy to find. When I was a kid and unrestored A's were on the road, many had 16s so I got used to seeing them, kind of a full circle to see people putting them on drivers again.

Re: '35 Ford rims on Model A's
 

To me its weird they went smaller fatter tires and back in the 60-90's 13's-15's were the most common. Now its 17-20's on trucks and cars...

Re: '35 Ford rims on Model A's
 

I had them on my 29 special coupe but they just didn't look right and were difficult to mount over the studs because you could'nt see them inside the hub, I found them tough to clean also because of less space between the hub and the rim. I had 17s ( 33/34 ) on my 30 roadster and they rode good and were easier to clean than the 35s.

Re: '35 Ford rims on Model A's
 

We use them because my Dog & I are our "OWN MEN"---Many folks think they were STOCK!
Bill W. & Buster T.

Re: '35 Ford rims on Model A's
 

I simply prefer the 19's on my rig. And now that Radial tires are available, I like them even more. A lot of guys here went to 16's, just because they could get radial tires at Costco. I held out for the Coker 19" radials and couldn't be more pleased with the performance and ride.

Re: '35 Ford rims on Model A's
 

Hey Jeff,
Well, there's a LOT more to it than just the idea of popularity.
Admittedly , the '35 wires do look good, particularly the 40 Kelsey bent spokes.
However, they have much more rubber where it meets the road and that makes for better braking. Besides safety, the tires are much more available and in steel belted configurations, if wanted for added safety..your choice, and choice is good :)

Re: '35 Ford rims on Model A's
 

Makes sense. And Carl's experience w/ 19"radials intrigues me I'm not real familiar with them......

Re: '35 Ford rims on Model A's
 

Did you know that Kelsey-Hayes, bent spokes were REJECTS? They came out LOOSE & they bent the spokes to TIGHTEN them!
I pulled over in East Texas, admiring a Guys' mail box post, with a Kelsey welded on it, he walked out & said, "Don't get EXCITED, it was already crookeder than a Dogs' Leg"!---Wish I had a set. (5)
Bill Wheeler

Re: '35 Ford rims on Model A's
 

Bent and out of true rims can be made like new. Contact Pico Wheel in Santa Clarita, CA. He straightened my 16's and even widened two of them so the 750's would fit. 818 678 0375

Re: '35 Ford rims on Model A's
 

I like wheels, so I'm chiming in.
Just 2 points.

There are so many A's with 16's many people
think they came stock with them!
I have found many times wheels advertised as Model A
that turn out to be 16-17-18 inch wheels.

Also just my own personal experience.
I have run 7-50-16 Firestones and BF Goodrich Silvertowns
on stock 16 inch wheels, on Model A's at least
6 times in the last 15 years, with no issues at all.
The tire mfgrs are concerned about liability,
understandably. Just my own observations, do what you
think is right.

Re: '35 Ford rims on Model A's
 

I go back and forth, but I do like the ride on the 16's better.