16" Tire Questions

[Napa Skip]

Thanks again to everyone who replied and for all the useful information.

[dumb person]

Hello, may i ask if the only year wheels that will fit a model A are 1935? Are the other ones too tight over the hub or something?

[Charlie Stephens]

Originally Posted by dumb person

Hello, may i ask if the only year wheels that will fit a model A are 1935? Are the other ones too tight over the hub or something?

The 1928 (except AR) through 1935 Ford wire wheels all interchange. The sizes were:
'28-'29 21 inch
'30-'31 19 inch
'32 18 inch
'33-'34 17 inch
'35 16 inch
'35-'39 the wheels remained 16 inch with a 5 on 10 1/4 bolt pattern
'40-'48 were 16 with the Model A 5 on 5 1/2 bolt pattern but required inexpensive spacers to run on stock Model A drums

Charlie Stephens

[dumb person]

Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens

The 1928 (except AR) through 1935 Ford wire wheels all interchange. The sizes were:
'28-'29 21 inch
'30-'31 19 inch
'32 18 inch
'33-'34 17 inch
'35 16 inch
'35-'39 the wheels remained 16 inch with a 5 on 10 1/4 bolt pattern
'40-'48 were 16 with the Model A 5 on 5 1/2 bolt pattern but required inexpensive spacers to run on stock Model A drums

Charlie Stephens

Thanks, but why are the '35 wheels the preferred choice? Is it the sizing?

[1931 flamingo]

They are wire, tires are readily avail and possibly cheaper than the 19 and 21 inch. They also lower the car a bit. Visually more appealing. To each his own. JMO
Paul in CT

[Peter J]

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I finally installed my 16's on with 600-16 bias. Painted the rims black until I descide on what color to paint the car. Rides nice but takes some getting use to after the 21's. Doesn't look quite like a clown car now. Checked spedo with a gps and it seems pretty close.

[dumb person]

If they were 17 inch '33-'34 would they be ok? Or is that not the done thing for some reason?

[Vic in E-TN]

I have not looked recently but 17 in bias tires were significantly more expensive than 16 in bias tires. The new 17 in radials are way too wide for the rim width.
Vic

[dumb person]

Originally Posted by Vic in E-TN

I have not looked recently but 17 in bias tires were significantly more expensive than 16 in bias tires. The new 17 in radials are way too wide for the rim width.
Vic

Oh, that reduces the attractiveness of the cheap wheels i was offered then.

[Fred A]

Originally Posted by dumb person

Thanks, but why are the '35 wheels the preferred choice? Is it the sizing?

It is about tires! In the second half of the '30s 16"s were the dominant tire size, and through the war, 16' was way more available with the rationing. After becoming the adopted standard tire for earlier cars, the near tradition lasted into the '60s to where most people expected wire '16s on As. Then there was a slow return to original size tires and wheels. The V8 cars were slower to return to original because the '35 Ford wheels looked so much like the earlier V8 era wheels. Now there is a renewed acceptance of the 18" and 17" wheels because, along with tire availability, they are somewhat taller while the trend in newer cars is to larger diameters. Good Luck: Fred A

[quickchange]

We have been running 205 -80 radials, these give a slight step up over stock & look much better than 70,s , fill the fender gap better, If running overdrive run the 70 series,

[ejgloss]

What color paint is the yellow/cream shown in pics on this thread a few of your 16" wire wheels?

[1931 flamingo]

Most likely Tacoma crème...................
Paul in CT

[jkeesey]

I just installed a set of Kelsey Hayes wheels on my A. I bought them sight unseen from a buddy of mine for $200. He told me they were apple green so i was expecting the neon green like used on most As, nope they are a very dark dark green so it looks like when i get my new tires i will be painting them either red or red and white. But on a nice note the wheels are perfect and I got a full set of 5 and im still running on the 40 year old tires!

[Gold Digger]

When I was growing up my dad had a 4-wheel farm wagon made out of a model a running gear. All 4 wheels were 16" but one was different. It was a solid steel with spokes in front and I think had a V-8 hub cap on it. I've often since wondered what that wheel cam off of.