VA Mustang/Scott Drake Wheels??

6hypo5conv_old · October 7, 2008 at 12:08 PM

Has anyone bought the 1965 Charcoal painted 14X5 Styled Steel wheels, RED centers, and "correct" "POINTED TIP" lug nuts from VA Mustang?? are these wheels OK? Price OK? service OK? or is there a better place to get these wheels from??

6hypo5conv_old · October 9, 2008 at 8:50 AM

It is hard for me to believe that out of 70 plus views that no one has any experiance in purchasing reproduction styled steel wheels, I almost feel as I have asked or done something wrong....if so would some please send me a pm and explain?? Thank You.

dunc289_old · October 9, 2008 at 8:57 AM

I have bought them, tho wider, soooo mine are not the original size and didn't think you cared about them. Mine are pretty good, and I got them out of Oregon. I am happy with them, but didn't scrutinize them closely, they look fine to me<img src=images/icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=images/icon_smile_question.gif border=0 align=middle>

66gtk · October 9, 2008 at 9:12 AM

VA sells the better ones out there - Scott Drake. Don't shop SS wheels on price as there are several manufacturers. Make sure you take your wheels to a very reputable shop that knows how to balance them correctly. They are lug centeric, not hub centric. These wheels are truly difficult to balance, and may even be out of round when purchased new, so stay away from the cheapos. Same holds true for the center caps, which can easily break off. Also, don't let any shop put an impact wrench on these wheels unless you like chipped off paint.

SixT5HiPo · October 9, 2008 at 11:28 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>

It is hard for me to believe that out of 70 plus views that no one has any experiance in purchasing reproduction styled steel wheels, I almost feel as I have asked or done something wrong...

Don't feel you've asked something wrong. It's a relevant question. Remember, this is a fairly small board, and even with 100 views, it's not a good bet that more than just a few have recently purchased S/S wheels and can comment on the specific details about them. (You might also try posting this question on the VMF site where there is a much greater base to tap into.)

There have been two replies here within 48 hours. Let's wait and see if any more can help out with this question. We've also discussed this topic here in the past...

Maybe these will get you started regarding this question:

http://www.hipomustang.com/hpmx/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6210

http://www.hipomustang.com/hpmx/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3605

http://www.hipomustang.com/hpmx/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2647

http://www.hipomustang.com/hpmx/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3935

6hypo5conv_old · October 9, 2008 at 2:45 PM

Thanks all for the help!! It sure looks to me like the S/D wheels are the best bet in the original size in a reproduction.

66KGT_old · October 9, 2008 at 5:57 PM

Scott Drake makes the best ones but as Troy mentioned even theirs can be out of round. One of mine was a bugger to balance.

Hint: Buy 67 wheels for the extra 1/2" width, especially if you are planning on putting radials on them.

dunc289_old · October 9, 2008 at 6:37 PM

Just a heads up, but if you consider ANYTHING other than absolute stock size, i.e., for show, then I recomend 15" rims, in a width and offset that matches your car. 65 Shelby's had 15" rims and I put 15" on my convertible, and they fill the wheel wells very nicely and there are a lot of choices in high performance radials that might not be offered in a 14" . My TCW. <img src=images/icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=images/icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

azbeneman · October 9, 2008 at 8:55 PM

I agree with Dunc. I had the 15" styled steel wheel on my last coupe. I purchased them with BF Goodrich TAs (black wall) in 215 width. They filled the wheel wells nicely, and gave the car an aggressive stance, with no rubbing. The best part was that CJ Pony Parts ships them mounted and balanced. Pull them out of the box and they are ready to go.(link to pictures of that car are posted in my profile)

My current Koupe has 14" redline bias plys. I like the original look with standard hub caps. I put 400 miles of mostly mountain driving on the car last week, and those tires are sketchy (the non-power drums don't help). I miss the 15" w/radials. I may switch to the that set up on the K code next year.

Edited by - azbeneman on 10/09/2008 20:56:33

zray · October 9, 2008 at 9:29 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>

Just a heads up, but if you consider ANYTHING other than absolute stock size, i.e., for show, then I recomend 15" rims, in a width and offset that matches your car. 65 Shelby's had 15" rims and I put 15" on my convertible, and they fill the wheel wells very nicely and there are a lot of choices in high performance radials that might not be offered in a 14" . My TCW. <img src=images/icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=images/icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

I am interested in learning what "... high performance radials..." are available in the 15" size.

thanks,

Z. Ray

dunc289_old · October 10, 2008 at 8:00 AM

Discount Tire has a wide range available, but its the " profile ratio " that determines whether or not it will fill the wheel well, and running on very low profile tires looks goofy to me, showing too much wheel and not enough tire. Anyone else?<img src=images/icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=images/icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

zray · October 10, 2008 at 9:13 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>

.............., and running on very low profile tires looks goofy to me, showing too much wheel and not enough tire. Anyone else?<img src=images/icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=images/icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

I agree. IMHO, the extreme low profile look of the 17" and largerwheels isn't "right looking" for the older cars like the '65- ''71 Mustangs.

That said, I compromised between looks & performance and went to a 16" wheel (sourced from the '05 - '08 base Mustang) so I could run my preferred tire , Goodyear's F1 GS-D3 :

http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/t…gy_f1_gs_ds.pdf

I'm running a 50 series now, and might go to a 55 series.

Z. Ray

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