Lookin' For Rims...

These are the rims I'm wondering about.
What are they, and where can I get them?
15 inch diameter, and up to 12 inches wide.





I'm havin' one heck of a time findin' rims that I like. Won't go to the 16, 17, 18....inch rims. I don't like the styling.

Hey starship as i was reading the thread NEWBIE and first post. 1975 vette w/ 46k original i think i came across your anwser 73shark said they were American Racing Vector wheels and Chev used them on one of their prototype Corvettes in the 70s.  Also the narrower version was used on some of the Buick Grand Nationals.
Hope that helps be sure to thank shark

 
This was his responce to the above photo, so I figured that the rims in the photo were not the "Vectors". 

"Nice wheels.  I'm partial to Amer. Racing Vectors tho."



Straighten me out, I'm all confused now.

well when i read that i took it as the reason he likes them is because he is a fan of American racing vectors
Well i just googles American racing vectors and looked at the images they look to be the same wheels

Thanks Bro, I'll run a google too.

Glad to help out

Here they are.
 
http://www.americanracing.com/browse_vintage.asp
 
 

The only Vectors that I can find, are 15 X 7 or 15 X 8.5.
If I can't find them 15 X 10, I'll have ta look for another style.
AR used to make the 10 inch rims, but not no more.
 
Thanks anyway guys!

I bought mine back in the 70s and they're 8.5".  I don't believe they ever made anything wider.  Also the Grand Nat'l's were black between the ribs like the ones in the pic but were 7" wide. 

I'd think with 10" that you'd need offset trailing arms and/or flares.  Not there's anything wrong with that.

Well, here they are. Note that they did make a 10 " width.
 
 







OVERVIEW

Features of Note:

• These are pictures of 86-87 T-Type wheels and the American Racing 'Vector' wheels which are of the same pattern. (Think "Dukes of Hazzard" General Lee Charger)
  
• These wheels were not made by Western. While Western did make 'turbine' style wheels, they were a different pattern with a much denser 'fin' count.
  
• A picture of 4 wheels.
  
  Top to bottom:
  
  • Stock 7" 86-87 wheel,
    
  • 7" American Racing 'Vector'. (Weight: 20 lbs.)
    
  • 8.5" Vector. (Weight: 22.5 lbs.)
    
  • 10" Vector. (Weight: 37 lbs.) The 10" has the inlays painted to match the car they were on.

 
 
The goomers are just really hard to find.

here are some 15x10`s i wonder what these would look like on the 68??hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

What make are those that are on your Chevelle?
( Nice car BTW  )
The deep "Vectors", seem to be out of production.
I can't even seem to find deep dish chrome reversed rims.
I guess bein' an ol' fogey has got me trapped. Can't seem to find "old school" rims. I'm a pickey ol' f@rt.

Hey C3, It looks like you will be cruising the swap meets to find those!
 

You learn something new every day.  Best bet is to probably watch Craig's List and ebay.  I'll keep my eye out.
 
What about the fitment issues?

I need to check on the backspacing.

I just happen to have a set of those, but they are not 10" wide.
 

 
 

Nice.  They look like they might be 8.5". 
 
What's a set of those worth today?

Prices? Here's some......
http://www.performanceplustire.com/products/wheels/searchType/searchByBrand/manufacturerID/1/productID_/4025?applicationID=8605&productID_=4025&manufacturerID=1&year=1980&makeID=538&modelID=7401&btnSubmit=View+Products+and+Prices#prodAnchor

It says that those wheels are "painted machine alloy" .  I want to either paint or powder coat my rims black. What kind of paint is best? Powder coating mine may be a problem as I am told they are not clean enough and the finish may bubble or come off.
 
Any suggestions?
 
 
 
Used prices on these rims is around $50.00 to $100.00 each.
 

 
 

quote:

ORIGINAL: C3 Starship

What make are those that are on your Chevelle?
( Nice car BTW  )
The deep "Vectors", seem to be out of production.
I can't even seem to find deep dish chrome reversed rims.
I guess bein' an ol' fogey has got me trapped. Can't seem to find "old school" rims. I'm a pickey ol' f@rt.

 
 
thanx C3  they are either cragar or centerline SST`s 15x8 in front and deep dish 15x10`s rear 4 inch bs on both.
I  was a kid all through the 70`s and thats how i remembered the cars lookin then so it kinda stuck on me but i couldnt take the rear jumpin all over so i put a set of cutom made 15x10 with 5.5 BS ralley wheels on it and lowered the rear ack down so these wheels are sittin in my shed lookin for a new car to jump on!!

here it is now.
 
 
 

quote:

ORIGINAL: DeeVeeEight

It says that those wheels are "painted machine alloy" .  I want to either paint or powder coat my rims black. What kind of paint is best? Powder coating mine may be a problem as I am told they are not clean enough and the finish may bubble or come off.

Any suggestions?



Used prices on these rims is around $50.00 to $100.00 each.

 
If there is some kind of coating, that can be removed.
Have you talked to the guys that do powder coating?
If not, ya should. They would know.
If ya have a local powder coater, take a rim down and ask them.
 
As far as I know, painting metal is painting metal.
Use a good primer and then color to your choice.
Powder coating would be more durable though.

Dave,
 
I have no idea what the width of my wheels are, but whatever they are, they stick out past the fender and I don't think it would help if I put on thinner tires. Next chance I get, I will take a wheel off and read the back in case there's any info.

If ya find any numbers on them, let me know and I'll try to look them up for ya.
Do the rims stick out past the tires?
If so, you can turn your steering wheel all the way, one direction, and use a straight edge across the wheel. If ya make a mark on the floor, on each side of the wheel, you can now measure between the two marks and get the width. ( just a thought )
You may not have to remove the tire and wheel to find info. As above, turn your steering wheel all the way, one direction, jack up that one wheel. Now ya can spin the wheel, and look on the back side for any numbers.

Dave,
 
I actually saw some 10" vectors today on a chevy truck. They look a lot deeper than mine do, mine must be 8.5".