SAAC Forum

The Cars => 1966 Shelby GT350/GT350H => Topic started by: commok on November 07, 2020, 09:00:03 PM

Title: Restore or replace spare wheel?
Post by: commok on November 07, 2020, 09:00:03 PM
What do you think? 6S978's spare is functional, but not feeling too young - should I restore it or find a new replacement? Who would you suggest to restore, or where to buy a new wheel?
Title: Re: Restore or replace spare wheel?
Post by: 427hunter on November 07, 2020, 11:57:20 PM
Shouldn't the spokes be brushed chrome vs bright polished chrome?
Title: Re: Restore or replace spare wheel?
Post by: 6s1640 on November 08, 2020, 02:09:14 AM
Hi 427Hunter,  all the chrome would have been very shiny when new.  On restoring, I am not aware  of anyone that still restores these wheels,  so you might be out of luck.  I'd recommend a new Blue Streak tire from Kelsey Tire.  If you want shiny again, Virginia Mustang can sell you a repop made by Wheels Vintiques.
Best of luck
Cory
Title: Re: Restore or replace spare wheel?
Post by: CSX 4133 on November 08, 2020, 07:03:20 AM

Totally unrelated question.... so what are these wheels "worth" in unrestored condition?
Title: Re: Restore or replace spare wheel?
Post by: commok on November 08, 2020, 07:45:02 AM
Thanks gents - I saw the repop at Virginia Classics, and they do a great deal of business with me already (  :):) so I will head there... I like the Blue Streak idea as well...
Title: Re: Restore or replace spare wheel?
Post by: 427hunter on November 08, 2020, 11:59:19 AM
Quote from: 6s1640 on November 08, 2020, 02:09:14 AM
Hi 427Hunter,  all the chrome would have been very shiny when new.  On restoring, I am not aware  of anyone that still restores these wheels,  so you might be out of luck.  I'd recommend a new Blue Streak tire from Kelsey Tire.  If you want shiny again, Virginia Mustang can sell you a repop made by Wheels Vintiques.
Best of luck
Cory

Hi, original magnum 500 wheels for fords had bright chrome rims with brushed chrome spokes.

Here is an example

Title: Re: Restore or replace spare wheel?
Post by: J_Speegle on November 08, 2020, 02:00:55 PM
Quote from: commok on November 07, 2020, 09:00:03 PM
What do you think? 6S978's spare is functional, but not feeling too young - should I restore it or find a new replacement? Who would you suggest to restore, or where to buy a new wheel?

Believe the choice comes down to your intended purpose/use of the car when finished as well as how much effort and dollars you want to spend. Consideration of each in combination should lead you to the best choice for you
Title: Re: Restore or replace spare wheel?
Post by: OldGuy on November 08, 2020, 02:17:24 PM
Quote from: 427hunter on November 08, 2020, 11:59:19 AM
Quote from: 6s1640 on November 08, 2020, 02:09:14 AM
Hi 427Hunter,  all the chrome would have been very shiny when new.  On restoring, I am not aware  of anyone that still restores these wheels,  so you might be out of luck.  I'd recommend a new Blue Streak tire from Kelsey Tire.  If you want shiny again, Virginia Mustang can sell you a repop made by Wheels Vintiques.
Best of luck
Cory

Hi, original magnum 500 wheels for fords had bright chrome rims with brushed chrome spokes.

I would disagree with your blanket statement about the brushed spokes on the Ford-used wheels. The original Hertz-style wheels as referred to in the original post have polished spokes. The picture that you posted looks like a 15" wheel from a later Magnum application like a Boss.

Frank

Here is an example


Title: Re: Restore or replace spare wheel?
Post by: 6s1640 on November 08, 2020, 02:29:45 PM
Hi 427Hunter,

Attached is a repop chrome 1966 GT350H Magnum 500.  Tell me what you see with the spokes.  All the original Hertz wheels I have seen have all had shiny spokes.  Now they could be dulled with age, but where once shiny, not brushed.

Best of luck

Cory
Title: Re: Restore or replace spare wheel?
Post by: 6s1640 on November 08, 2020, 02:41:21 PM
Quote from: CSX 4133 on November 08, 2020, 07:03:20 AM

Totally unrelated question.... so what are these wheels "worth" in unrestored condition?

Hi CSX4133,

The price of a repop wheels is $334.95 plus shipping.  The last wheel I had restored was $350 plus shipping twice.  I purchased a very nice un-restored wheel from Tony Branda for $150 plus shipping.  If you were to find a nice wheel for $100, I'd jump on it.  But based on the high cost to restore, $50 would be a better deal, but I have seen asking prices much higher.

Not sure that helped, but some data for you to think about.

Cory
Title: Re: Restore or replace spare wheel?
Post by: 427hunter on November 08, 2020, 04:16:44 PM
Reproduction magnum 500 are all the same bright chrome finish - original magnum 500's have a brushed chrome spoke/inner and a bright chrome rim.


I found this with photo's http://www.429mustangcougarinfo.50megs.com/wheels.htm
Title: Re: Restore or replace spare wheel?
Post by: J_Speegle on November 08, 2020, 04:54:01 PM
Quote from: 427hunter on November 08, 2020, 04:16:44 PM
Reproduction magnum 500 are all the same bright chrome finish - original magnum 500's have a brushed chrome spoke/inner and a bright chrome rim.


I found this with photo's http://www.429mustangcougarinfo.50megs.com/wheels.htm

Think they are showing later Magnums Not all of them were finished the same through all the years
Title: Re: Restore or replace spare wheel?
Post by: CSX 4133 on November 08, 2020, 09:15:26 PM
Quote from: 6s1640 on November 08, 2020, 02:41:21 PM
Quote from: CSX 4133 on November 08, 2020, 07:03:20 AM

Totally unrelated question.... so what are these wheels "worth" in unrestored condition?

Hi CSX4133,

The price of a repop wheels is $334.95 plus shipping.  The last wheel I had restored was $350 plus shipping twice.  I purchased a very nice un-restored wheel from Tony Branda for $150 plus shipping.  If you were to find a nice wheel for $100, I'd jump on it.  But based on the high cost to restore, $50 would be a better deal, but I have seen asking prices much higher.

Not sure that helped, but some data for you to think about.

Cory

Thanks Cory for this information. I may be selling some n the near future is why I inquired.

~Steven
Title: Re: Restore or replace spare wheel?
Post by: 98SVT - was 06GT on November 08, 2020, 10:31:30 PM
Get it stripped at the platers (or sandblast) and turn it into a painted one.
Title: Re: Restore or replace spare wheel?
Post by: 6s1640 on November 09, 2020, 01:06:44 AM
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on November 08, 2020, 10:31:30 PM
Get it stripped at the platers (or sandblast) and turn it into a painted one.

That is actually a great idea, especially for a wheel that needs restoring and no one to restore. IMHO, there is no need to strip, just sand blast to rough up the surface.  That should be enough for the paint to stick.  I know of an 66 GT350 that was at a concourse de elegance event with the painted Magnum 500's.  They were all originally the chrome versions marked 795C painted gray.  "C" is for chrome.  Don't let the judges know.  The car looked great.

Has anyone ever figured out the formula for the painted 66 GT350 Magnum 500 and willing to share?  For some reason this remains a secret.

Take care

Cory
Title: Re: Restore or replace spare wheel?
Post by: gt350hr on November 09, 2020, 11:13:06 AM
Quote from: 427hunter on November 07, 2020, 11:57:20 PM
Shouldn't the spokes be brushed chrome vs bright polished chrome?

       NOT on the Hertz wheels . All five of my originals and others I've had are polished chrome spokes . Not brushed like a Boss magnum.
Title: Re: Restore or replace spare wheel?
Post by: gt350hr on November 09, 2020, 11:19:53 AM
  My spare looks about the same as the OP's and still has the original Blue Streak ( with some wear) on it. "I" wouldn't touch it. It's only a virgin once LOL.
Title: Re: Restore or replace spare wheel?
Post by: 427hunter on November 09, 2020, 12:13:29 PM
Well you learn something new every day - what are the rim stamped? 
Title: Re: Restore or replace spare wheel?
Post by: 427hunter on November 09, 2020, 12:27:26 PM
Quote from: 427hunter on November 09, 2020, 12:13:29 PM
Well you learn something new every day - what are the rims stamped?

P.S. I went through collecting a set of Ford magnums for a 70 mustang I had some years back, that's why the wheel posted here looked wrong.  The later version of the reproduction magnum looks exactly like the original magnum posted here.

Since the Shelby magnums are not the Ford version is the reproduction sold today the same?
Title: Re: Restore or replace spare wheel?
Post by: hertz350 on November 10, 2020, 12:33:19 AM
The wheels made by Wheel Vintiques are a faithful reproduction of the original Hertz Magnum 500 chrome wheel. The new reproduction wheel has the same backspacing, offset and is the same size. The rim incorporates a safety bead which the original wheels did not have.
Title: Re: Restore or replace spare wheel?
Post by: 6s1640 on November 10, 2020, 12:43:15 AM
The 66 GT350 H wheels are marked JK, 795C 14 x 6 and just under 3.5 inch backspacing plus Ford bolt pattern.  These wheels were made by Motor Wheel Corporation for SAI and the 66 GT350 program.  Motor Wheel also made this rim for GM and Chrysler with the same hoop and same markings but with different back spacing and respective OE  bolt pattern. See attached image of a GM Magnum 500 with same markings as 1966 GT350H wheels.  So don't be fooled if you find a wheel with these same markings.  These markings alone don't make a 66 GT350H wheel.

The repops from the visible side are well done and look very much like original wheels.

Hope that helps

Cory
Title: Re: Restore or replace spare wheel?
Post by: commok on November 10, 2020, 10:56:44 PM
I figure in for a dollar, in for a dime, so I ordered a wheel from Virginia Classic Mustang and a Blue Streak from Kelsey, as suggested by Cory... I guess I just like the look when opening the trunk!
Title: Re: Restore or replace spare wheel?
Post by: 427hunter on November 11, 2020, 12:47:04 AM
Quote from: commok on November 10, 2020, 10:56:44 PM
I figure in for a dollar, in for a dime, so I ordered a wheel from Virginia Classic Mustang and a Blue Streak from Kelsey, as suggested by Cory... I guess I just like the look when opening the trunk!

Good idea!
Title: Re: Restore or replace spare wheel?
Post by: Steve McDonald Formally known as Mcdonas on November 11, 2020, 07:06:06 AM
+1