1953 Ford Crestline - wide wheels?

[ArcLighter]

Anyone have experience with 7" wheels on a '53?

Like these: FORD CRESTLINE - CUSTOMLINE 1953 15" Wheels

The Vicky has 14" wheels on it now, speedo is off and it doesn't handle all that well with 14" wheels.

I have 5 15" wheels that need sandblasting & maybe powder coated; don't like wheel covers/

Any suggestions?

[RalphG]

I kept the stock wheels on the 52 Merc but some wide 60 series tires on the front since I needed something to hold it up after removing the rotted tires. The 60s would not go on the back though. Clearance was limited and no matter how I jacked the car body up I could not get anything bigger than a P215x75 fifteen inch tire in there.

[59ab]

RalphG is right!

[Blu Dice]

I think I would try to "Photo Shop" the wheels on first - but that's just me - I like hub caps on '50's cars!

[Vic Piano]

Like RalphG said, the stock rear tires and wheels are tough to get on and off. My '53 Crestline Sunliner came stock with 7.10x15's (I don't remember how wide the stock wheel is) but they are a real PITA to remove and install.

[41ford1]

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215 - 70/15" is probably the largest modern size that will fit. Removing them from the Courier is a PITA. These are on aftermarket 15 x 6" smoothies. The body needs to be jacked high enough to clear the top of the tire of the unbolted wheel. The wheel and tire has to drop straight down to clear the axle and wheel well space.

[Bertha]

Originally Posted by Blu Dice

I think I would try to "Photo Shop" the wheels on first - but that's just me - I like hub caps on '50's cars!

Me too....Stock wheels, with tubeless Coker Firestone bias 710/15 WW.


Bob

[RalphG]

Yes, those rear wheel wells on the 52 Merc are almost like non removable fender skirts it seems. I could just slide the stock wheel with a p215 75R tire in place. No problem getting the P23570x15s on the stock wheel up front as there is lots of room. I'd be happy to run all the original wheel covers but I only have one. Found a pair of what i think are Meteor caps and I like the look of them.