The Ford Barn

DNLs1930 · 02-14-2022, 11:23 PM

Have a question for those of you who have 16in 1935+ ford wire wheels installed on your car.
What size tire are you running?
Same size front and back?
Same width front and back?

And finally I understand they (tires) are tubeless modern radials; is this a good guess or are you also running tubes?

Thanks in advanced!!

PICTURES are always welcome!!!
Looking to have a slight "rake" for a mild "hotrod" look which I think my uncle was trying to accomplish when he had the car. (car has been in our family since 1935) so not wanting to totally hotrod it just get a part of the look.

PC/SR · 02-14-2022, 11:47 PM

Try 600x16 front, 650 or higher in the back.

Model A Ron · 02-15-2022, 02:49 AM

I would keep the original Model A wheels......the 16's make it look more like a hotrod in my opinion.

1929 · 02-15-2022, 08:17 AM

215x85 front and rear tubeless.

tinkirk · 02-15-2022, 07:02 PM

These are radials back are 235R85/16 not positive on the front I will need to look at them to know for sure

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

MAG · 02-15-2022, 07:15 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Agree with post 3.
I think a better place to post this is on the Hot Rods and Customs Forum.

McMimmcs · 02-15-2022, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAG

Agree with post 3.
I think a better place to post this is on the Hot Rods and Customs Forum.

I agree with you. Obviously it doesn’t look like a Model A anymore.

DNLs1930 · 02-15-2022, 07:40 PM

Ok so you all know; I do have the original 19in wheels I plan to keep and use for those times that 1930s Model A specific look in desired.

I also have my family car that had the wheels in the picture installed so not sure where to draw the line.

My uncle wanted to rip the fenders off and make it a hotrod in 1966 so he too has a chapter written in this cars history.

After the car sitting for 50 years (locked up by gramps) in the garage to prevent the "destruction" my uncle wanted to preserve the car with some hints of hotrod so this is where we are...

FYI if anyone can identify the wheels on the car in the picture please let me know what they are. Hub caps? Rock shields? No clue here...

DNLs1930 · 02-15-2022, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinkirk

these are radials back are 235r85/16 not positive on the front i will need to look at them to know for sure

sent from my iphone using tapatalk

me likes!!!!

nkaminar · 02-16-2022, 08:10 AM

A lot of Model A's got converted over to 16 inch wheels early on. I suspect it may have been do to availability of tires or fashion as the newer cars had balloon tires.

I had 16 inch wheels on my first 1930 Model A in the 1960's. I liked the look of the earlier wheels and tires so I switched back to originals. I discovered that the car steered easier with the 19 inch tires. If you are going to stick with the 16 inch wheels you may want to consider switching over to a F-100 steering box.

Great photo, by the way.

48fordnut · 02-16-2022, 08:47 AM

The wheels you are trying to identify on the model a coupe look to be wide 5, 37-39 ford with the corresponding hub caps.

Fred A · 02-16-2022, 09:55 AM

The wheels on the coupe do appear a bit like the wide fives, but a closer look will show the spokes beneath the wheel covers. Fred A

Cool Hand Lurker · 02-16-2022, 12:00 PM

Back in the 20's, 30's & 40's the regular day-to-day users of Model A & T Fords would make modifications to their cars. It was way of life for them. It was a way of life for the Model A & T. It wasn't hot rodding. Changing the size or look of a wheel was normal. Even now, changing the look a little is still normal. Like driving lights in front, LED tail lights that can actually be seen at night. To be a normal Model A it doesn't have to be a perfect Model A unless you are looking to be judged. By a real judge, not a casual observer on a bad day.
I like snow tires. I am a normal Model A owner.
DNLs1930, don't worry about it. Find the wheel you want to keep it like the family wanted it to be.

chrs1961815 · 02-16-2022, 12:18 PM

Back in the 40s to the 60s it was common to go with V8 wheels to lower the car and soup it up. Kind of like a light version of hot rodding. Just going for the look.

AL in NY · 02-16-2022, 01:32 PM

Try the link below. A lot of information on 16 inch wheels and tires. I went with a Westlake SU318 225/75R16 passenger car tire. If you drive your car a lot, you'll really like these radials.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...light=westlake

DNLs1930 · 02-16-2022, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred A

The wheels on the coupe do appear a bit like the wide fives, but a closer look will show the spokes beneath the wheel covers. Fred A

YES there are spokes in the wheels behind the hubcaps.

I just have not been able to find a hubcap that matches that design.

For all I know they are not ford wheels at all. I'm sure they installed whatever they could get/find so next step is to figure out what wheels would fit the ford lug pattern and expand the search...

DNLs1930 · 02-16-2022, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AL in NY

Try the link below. A lot of information on 16 inch wheels and tires. I went with a Westlake SU318 225/75R16 passenger car tire. If you drive your car a lot, you'll really like these radials.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...light=westlake

Thanks for the link LOTS of car pics there!!

700x16 and 600x16 seems to be the not too hotrod look

Bruce of MN · 02-17-2022, 05:15 AM

I’ve read that 16” wheels were put on during WW2 tire rationing because those used tires were more available.

DNLs1930 · 02-25-2022, 03:45 PM

THANKS for the follow up on the tire sizes!!

gdmn852 · 02-25-2022, 04:18 PM

The last year Ford used spoke wheels was 1935 ,36 to 39 used the wide spaced type rims similar to older VW bugs. But as you said may not be Ford . I can remember when I first got my first Model A(late 1960s) “old timers “said the older sized tires weren’t available so they went to 16 and 15 inch rims and tires.In fact that is what the Model A had when I bought it,1935 Ford ,and one of the first things to find were 19 rims .

02-14-2022, 11:23 PM	#1
DNLs1930 Senior Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: Fort Worth side of DFW Posts: 171	16in wheel tires Have a question for those of you who have 16in 1935+ ford wire wheels installed on your car. What size tire are you running? Same size front and back? Same width front and back? And finally I understand they (tires) are tubeless modern radials; is this a good guess or are you also running tubes? Thanks in advanced!! PICTURES are always welcome!!! Looking to have a slight "rake" for a mild "hotrod" look which I think my uncle was trying to accomplish when he had the car. (car has been in our family since 1935) so not wanting to totally hotrod it just get a part of the look.

02-14-2022, 11:47 PM	#2
PC/SR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 1,279	Re: 16in wheel tires Try 600x16 front, 650 or higher in the back.

02-15-2022, 02:49 AM	#3
Model A Ron Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Troutman, NC Posts: 717	Re: 16in wheel tires I would keep the original Model A wheels......the 16's make it look more like a hotrod in my opinion.

02-15-2022, 08:17 AM	#4
1929 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New York Posts: 943	Re: 16in wheel tires 215x85 front and rear tubeless.

02-15-2022, 07:02 PM	#5
tinkirk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: SouthWest Michigan Posts: 363	Re: 16in wheel tires These are radials back are 235R85/16 not positive on the front I will need to look at them to know for sure Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

02-15-2022, 07:15 PM	#6
MAG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 925	Re: 16in wheel tires Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Agree with post 3. I think a better place to post this is on the Hot Rods and Customs Forum. __________________ I noticed the harder I work the luckier I get!

02-16-2022, 08:10 AM	#10
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: 16in wheel tires A lot of Model A's got converted over to 16 inch wheels early on. I suspect it may have been do to availability of tires or fashion as the newer cars had balloon tires. I had 16 inch wheels on my first 1930 Model A in the 1960's. I liked the look of the earlier wheels and tires so I switched back to originals. I discovered that the car steered easier with the 19 inch tires. If you are going to stick with the 16 inch wheels you may want to consider switching over to a F-100 steering box. Great photo, by the way. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

02-16-2022, 08:47 AM	#11
48fordnut Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: warner robins ga 31088 Posts: 494	Re: 16in wheel tires The wheels you are trying to identify on the model a coupe look to be wide 5, 37-39 ford with the corresponding hub caps.

02-16-2022, 09:55 AM	#12
Fred A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Encino California, near Burbank Posts: 935	Re: 16in wheel tires The wheels on the coupe do appear a bit like the wide fives, but a closer look will show the spokes beneath the wheel covers. Fred A

02-16-2022, 12:00 PM	#13
Cool Hand Lurker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Minn Posts: 1,565	Re: 16in wheel tires Back in the 20's, 30's & 40's the regular day-to-day users of Model A & T Fords would make modifications to their cars. It was way of life for them. It was a way of life for the Model A & T. It wasn't hot rodding. Changing the size or look of a wheel was normal. Even now, changing the look a little is still normal. Like driving lights in front, LED tail lights that can actually be seen at night. To be a normal Model A it doesn't have to be a perfect Model A unless you are looking to be judged. By a real judge, not a casual observer on a bad day. I like snow tires. I am a normal Model A owner. DNLs1930, don't worry about it. Find the wheel you want to keep it like the family wanted it to be.

02-16-2022, 12:18 PM	#14
chrs1961815 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Spring Grove, Illinois Posts: 1,371	Re: 16in wheel tires Back in the 40s to the 60s it was common to go with V8 wheels to lower the car and soup it up. Kind of like a light version of hot rodding. Just going for the look. __________________ "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

02-16-2022, 01:32 PM	#15
AL in NY Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Upstate New York Posts: 1,160	Re: 16in wheel tires Try the link below. A lot of information on 16 inch wheels and tires. I went with a Westlake SU318 225/75R16 passenger car tire. If you drive your car a lot, you'll really like these radials. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...light=westlake __________________ AL in NY Last edited by AL in NY; 02-16-2022 at 04:34 PM.

02-17-2022, 05:15 AM	#18
Bruce of MN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: VA Posts: 1,410	Re: 16in wheel tires I’ve read that 16” wheels were put on during WW2 tire rationing because those used tires were more available.

02-25-2022, 03:45 PM	#19
DNLs1930 Senior Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: Fort Worth side of DFW Posts: 171	Re: 16in wheel tires THANKS for the follow up on the tire sizes!!

02-25-2022, 04:18 PM	#20
gdmn852 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Erie Pa Posts: 689	Re: 16in wheel tires The last year Ford used spoke wheels was 1935 ,36 to 39 used the wide spaced type rims similar to older VW bugs. But as you said may not be Ford . I can remember when I first got my first Model A(late 1960s) “old timers “said the older sized tires weren’t available so they went to 16 and 15 inch rims and tires.In fact that is what the Model A had when I bought it,1935 Ford ,and one of the first things to find were 19 rims .