Modified Memories
Tire and Rims
The tires and rims are the finishing touch on any car. I started with and idea of using steel rims front and
rear. The back would be painted white and the fronts would have moon discs.
I got the rims cheap enough but man were they HEAVY!! I still needed to make the car a roller so I mounted the tires anyway.
Here is a picture of it.
The more I looked at the car, the more I realized those steel rims were not going to get it done.
Of course I would have liked to have had a set of Hildebrands (sp) but a lack of money brought me back
to reality in a hurry. I decided that as set Deep Dish aluminum rims would be so nice so I started
spreading the word that I was looking for a set, at the RIGHT price of course.
I am going to relate a short story and it is an important lesson. I have a 9" Ford rear with the
5 on 5 bolt pattern, so naturally that was what I was looking for. I came across a set of 15 x 10
but they were chevy pattern and wouldn't fit. They were just $50 for the pair including some
wide street tires. I was disappointed, but continued my search.
That was my biggest mistake.
If I had thought through the bolt pattern idea I would have found out the Master Line axles from Mark Williams, has a variable
bolt pattern in each axle, those rims would have fit! You have got to think out of the box.
Yeah I know that is way over used but in this case it fits. Don't automatically dismiss something
that at first doesn't look like it will work. That is one of those secret rules good bargain
hunters learn. If you dismiss it, then so will most others effectively driving the price down. Cool, huh?
Enough philosophy, lets talk about my new (to me) rims. When I was in California to go to
the Hot rod Reunion, I walked through the swap me just looking to see if something will jump out at me.
I saw a man with at least 4 swap meet spaces and had it filled with rims and hub caps and assorted goodies.
Up in the right corner all by itself I saw this pair of Big Mag wheels. I slide over quietly
and took a peak at them. I could see they were a pretty good set of mags and they looked
like what I had in mind. I asked how much and he said $75. I then asked the size and he said,15 x 10.
This is exactly what I wanted! I asked him what they fit and he didn't know, so the tag "Mystery Mags".
Well I had flown out and I don't think I could have gotten them on as "carry on" luggage. I got his card
and about two weeks later I called and ask if he still had those rims. He said yes so I made
the deal and today they arrived. I took a few pictures to show you.
This is the front side.
This picture shows how wide they are.
Now comes the big surprise. When I turned them over, here is what I saw:
That reads SPRINT as in Ansen sprint mag wheels of the 60s and the 70s. This was as close
to period correct as I was going to get. New rims close to the look will run about $500 for
the pair, these cost $105 delivered to my door. By taking a chance I received a major reward and surprise.