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Old 11-22-2020, 11:31 AM   #1
Bob-A
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Thumbs up "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

Anybody else noticed the '30 town sedan on eBay with wooden spoke wheels on it? An unrestored car with what looks like a good set of accessory "Motor-Wheel" made year, not just era, correct wooden spoke wheels. Man, would I like to have them! Car looks in not to bad of shape too. Look up,
1930 Ford Model A, on eBay. You will find it easy enough.


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Old 11-22-2020, 01:28 PM   #2
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

I've not seen those wheels on a Model A before. Pretty cool. Notice the super nice deluxe ORIGINAL interior.
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Old 11-22-2020, 02:00 PM   #3
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

Why not add the link? https://www.ebay.com/itm/1930-Ford-M...kAAOSwiVRftwPF
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Old 11-22-2020, 02:26 PM   #4
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

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Originally Posted by mass A man View Post
I've not seen those wheels on a Model A before. Pretty cool. Notice the super nice deluxe ORIGINAL interior.

That back seat makes a “handy” place to store your rear fenders when you’re not using them. ;-) [emoji23]


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Old 11-22-2020, 02:29 PM   #5
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

Hmm, add one more set to the known number of Motor Wheel wood wheels. At one time I had 3 sets. I’ve cut back to 1 set of 19” and 1 set of 21”.
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Old 11-23-2020, 06:25 PM   #6
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

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I would love to have a set of these wheels on my pickup
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Old 11-23-2020, 06:31 PM   #7
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

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Originally Posted by CarlG View Post
I would love to have a set of these wheels on my pickup
Yea, those are nice, but they are not wood...
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Old 11-23-2020, 06:31 PM   #8
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

were they aftermarket or stock on some A models ?
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Old 11-23-2020, 06:35 PM   #9
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Talking Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

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Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead View Post
Yea, those are nice, but they are not wood...
That's why I "wood" want them!
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Old 11-23-2020, 07:21 PM   #10
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

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That's why I "wood" want them!
I bet you wood!! I wood like to have that whole car!!
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Old 11-23-2020, 08:26 PM   #11
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

Personally dont care for the look. Have never seen them before, but if I wtd a model T, I wood buy a model T.


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Old 11-23-2020, 08:34 PM   #12
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

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Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead View Post
I bet you wood!! I wood like to have that whole car!!
Is it the one with a cosworth engine?
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Old 11-23-2020, 08:45 PM   #13
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

Wood rots, with bad, sometimes fatal, results. Even if I owned a T, I would put steel wheels on it.

(I would love to have a 26-27 T coupe. It is my favorite pre A design. But I find them impossible to drive, and even more dangerous than an A in modern traffic.)
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Old 11-23-2020, 08:48 PM   #14
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

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Originally Posted by Big hammer View Post
Is it the one with a cosworth engine?
Yes, the wheels CarlG shows are Aluminum.
https://youtu.be/iFSGSL3Nrmc

https://youtu.be/MFOpsmor6u8

Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 11-23-2020 at 11:47 PM.
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Old 11-23-2020, 11:22 PM   #15
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

Here's the car from eBay:



.....and here is a Town Car back in 1978 with similar wooden wheels:


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Last edited by Brad in Germany; 11-23-2020 at 11:27 PM.
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Old 11-23-2020, 11:41 PM   #16
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

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Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead View Post
Yea, those are nice, but they are not wood...
.....a bit OT....but those "wooden wheels" are actually hand made aluminum alloy wheels. Here they are freshly cast and machined:


....and after wood-graining of the spokes:


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Old 11-24-2020, 08:24 AM   #17
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

Hmmmmmm, those wood look nice on my Woody.
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Old 11-24-2020, 08:47 AM   #18
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

I thought those looked custom. They are gorgeous, love to know if someone intends to produce those.


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Old 11-24-2020, 12:56 PM   #19
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

Who made this set and at what cost? Wayne
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Old 11-24-2020, 01:22 PM   #20
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

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.....and here is a Town Car back in 1978 with similar wooden wheels:


Brad in Marylnd
Any idea what became of this set of wheels?
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Old 11-24-2020, 02:25 PM   #21
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

Quote:
Originally Posted by 700rpm View Post
Wood rots, with bad, sometimes fatal, results. Even if I owned a T, I would put steel wheels on it.

(I would love to have a 26-27 T coupe. It is my favorite pre A design. But I find them impossible to drive, and even more dangerous than an A in modern traffic.)
Ray, I think this is a unwarranted 'preconceived thought' that Model-Ts are dangerous with wooden wheels. While I agree that wood can rot, most hickory spokes do not if the vehicle is garage kept and maintenanced properly. All of my Model-Ts (-with the exception of 1) have wood wheels, and I have no problem driving 50 mph. Below is my 1915 that we think nothing of touring 300 miles a day in.

As for a T being dangerous in modern traffic, I guess there is some truth in that however I just make sure I drive mine on safer roads so as not to endanger me or others. I just drive on backroads or divided highways that typically have 55mph (-or less) speed limits, and I try to run in the 45-50 mph to stay out of harms way. I also watch my rear view mirror for cars closing from behind and I just ease over to the shoulder of the road to let them by if need be. I stay off of interstates -or any roads that would create stress for me and other drivers, ...but with that said I have no problem driving any of my T's on any roads that others would drive a non-hot rodded Model-A.

.
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File Type: jpg ModelT2.jpg (40.6 KB, 57 views)
File Type: jpg ModelT1.jpg (34.7 KB, 59 views)
File Type: jpg ModelT GPS2.jpg (58.0 KB, 53 views)
File Type: jpg ModelT GPS3.jpg (40.5 KB, 58 views)
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Old 11-25-2020, 04:12 AM   #22
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

Quote:
Originally Posted by 700rpm View Post
Wood rots, with bad, sometimes fatal, results. Even if I owned a T, I would put steel wheels on it.

(I would love to have a 26-27 T coupe. It is my favorite pre A design. But I find them impossible to drive, and even more dangerous than an A in modern traffic.)
My model T is 99 years old with the original wood wheels.
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Old 11-25-2020, 06:44 PM   #23
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

My first mentor was also a high school chum with one of my uncles. He busted a few too many spokes on the rear wheel of an old Harley Davidson V-twin. He reworked an old Maxwell wood spoker wheel to fit the axle and drive sprocket then rode it around quite a while before selling it to someone else. My uncle rode with him through a cow pasture chasing jack rabbits and the wheel held up just fine. Both of those guys were pretty crazy but they had a lot of fun doing crazy stuff..
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Old 11-27-2020, 09:06 PM   #24
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

Brent and Chris, this was not a preconceived thought or worry, my comment and concern are based on an article from a few years ago (2013) about a woman who was involved in an accident in a T which caused the wooden spokes to break and collapse, with the result that the car rolled down the hillside, killing the lady. I guess in fairness I would say it wasn’t due entirely to a failure of the wooden spokes, but it made an impression on me at the time. I am not by nature an alarmist and am wont to spread false information, but this was in my mind when I read about wooden spokes.

https://www.startribune.com/minnesot...car/217193941/
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Old 11-27-2020, 10:32 PM   #25
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

Seeing how wooden aircraft propellers work just fine and last just fine, maybe the difference is in maintenance and inspection. Which costs $$, I know. If you ignore the wood in the weather, it will surely degrade.
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Old 11-28-2020, 06:59 PM   #26
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

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Hello I know of a A400 convertible sedan owner that bought a wooden wheel sedan to use on the A400. Must have been rare when new . I can recall an old timer telling me about driving wood wheel cars in a creek to tighten them up.
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Old 11-28-2020, 09:38 PM   #27
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

The old wive’s tale about driving in water—if you get a set of these wheels do yourself a favor and DO NOT drive in water. The rim is two layers of metal, water gets inside and will start to rust. But I sure wish I had $1 for every person that tells me to do that, I could buy another set of wheels!
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Old 11-30-2020, 08:47 AM   #28
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

@31 Woody, can you talk about how the wood spoke wheels mount to the hubs. I see in the pic of the Alum cast wheels the bolt pattern is under the steel center that holds the hub cap. Some pics of just the hub would be great.

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Old 11-30-2020, 08:58 AM   #29
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

I guess each to his/her own. I’ve seen guys marry butt-ugly gals thinking they were gorgeous and vice-versa.......
I’m at a loss as to why you would put wooden wheels on a model a!
IMHO
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Old 11-30-2020, 10:17 AM   #30
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

Nothing ugly about wood spoke wheels on a Wood Station Wagon. IMHO.

wouldn't do it on any other body style.
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Old 11-30-2020, 12:41 PM   #31
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....
@31 Woody, can you talk about how the wood spoke wheels mount to the hubs. I see in the pic of the Alum cast wheels the bolt pattern is under the steel center that holds the hub cap. Some pics of just the hub would be great

I am also curious as to how the wood wheel mounts to a Model A brake drum. Could we see a photo of the back of the wheel? thanks.
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Old 11-30-2020, 10:04 PM   #32
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

Here are some pictures of the wheels showing the hub front and back. Also there is one picture of lug nuts—that is the key, this requires a special long shank lug nut and secures to any stock Model A with no other changes required.
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Old 11-30-2020, 10:59 PM   #33
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

OK. Now I get it. Extra long shanks on lug nuts. That would work. Thank you for explaining.
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Old 12-01-2020, 07:17 AM   #34
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

Thanks for the pics. @31Henry Assume the hubs are two pieces, are they riveted together? Do the lug nuts bottom out on the inside hub or are the wheels held in place by the force on the outside hub?

Jon.
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Old 12-01-2020, 07:22 AM   #35
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

I guess each to his/her own. I’ve seen guys marry butt-ugly gals thinking they were gorgeous and vice-versa.......
I’m at a loss as to why you would put wooden wheels on a model a!
IMHO


Im with ya old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! some of us have taste and some of us- well you know.......
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Old 12-01-2020, 07:36 AM   #36
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

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some of us have taste and some of us- well you know.......
Really!!! I didn't come here to be insulted.....
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Old 12-01-2020, 10:34 AM   #37
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

What do you guys think about the final bid of 7400 on the car on eBay?
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Old 12-01-2020, 10:43 AM   #38
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

JWM—there is an outer hub and an inner ring that are riveted together. The wheel is lug centric with it essentially riding on the shank and bevel of the lug nut. In addition to the rivets, the lug nuts also hold the wheel together through clamping force.

To Ronn and Old, i get these wheels aren’t for everyone. But you do not have to be rude. Frankly, I like the uniqueness.
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Old 12-01-2020, 12:25 PM   #39
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

rude, not at all- a little levity is always a problem on the Barn.


I guess as we all get older, it is true we get grouchier.


7400. is a great price if that is the car you want. considering the rarity of the wheels, maybe they are worth 1500. - 2000.?
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Old 12-01-2020, 12:53 PM   #40
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

31 Woody, thanks for the details. Now I am educated on the wheels, my search for a set may be more fruitful. Any leads would be appreciated.

$7400, I thought it might go for $10K. Thought about bidding just for the wheels and flipping the Fordor. But without getting an eyeball on the car and it being a Fordor, ya just don't know how much wood work is going to be required, just to get a driver.

I am thinking I would be in at $2K for a full set wheels with the right lug nuts. More if they are ready to bolt on and the natural wood finish.

31 Woody - If you don't mind, I want to use a couple of your photos and get a Parts Wanted add posted.

Thanks again.

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Old 12-01-2020, 12:56 PM   #41
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Default Re: "A" with wooden spoke wheels....

Here is the VID with the Tudoor with the Cosworth engine. I have 5 stock As but I have to tell you one of these in the garage would be nice.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFOpsmor6u8
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