Off topic: Wheels for my new to me ride... 71 olds

[john 800]

I know there are a few muscle car guys on here and I am not a member yet on any forum that discusses old cars, so here goes: I have a deal in the works to buy a 71 olds 442 from my grandfather, which is pretty exciting for for me, I have been a spectator at car shows and drag race events but never owned anything interesting or fun. The car is gold/copper colored with black stripes and factory style wheels that have body color paint on some of the wheel, and honestly I am not real fond of the way they look. Most cars that are a few years older I really like cragars, but I am not sure if they would look right on this car. To me cragars say “mid 60s” maybe they would work. Weld draglites? Weld prostars? Tourqe thrusts? What do you guys think?

 

[Bill Norris]

Centerlines with as much offset as you like would work well on that particular body style.

 

[acloco]

Nothing wrong with medium to shiny Cragars - they are back in style again.

 

[Dub]

Pictures man!!

 

[acloco]

PS - and offset MATTERS on this body style. Rear need to be moved out a touch. Fronts, not as much, but some.

 

[Bill Norris]

PS - and offset MATTERS on this body style. Rear need to be moved out a touch. Fronts, not as much, but some.

Exactly.

 

[john 800]

PS - and offset MATTERS on this body style. Rear need to be moved out a touch. Fronts, not as much, but some.

For clearance or for looks?

 

[john 800]

Pictures man!!

I will get pictures when we get it out! It has been on a 4 post lift in a pole shed for a few years. Ill have a full day or two moving “treasure” out of the way just to get to it.

 

[Cemetery21]

I like factory wheels on most everything, but many were changed and still look "period" correct.
My Chevelle:
Show us the 442.

 

[Rsadams]

I like factory wheels on most everything, but many were changed and still look "period" correct.
My Chevelle:
Show us the 442.
View attachment 1256241

Love it , gorgeous...

 

[tcmikey]

American Racing forged center and forged barrel line. Lots of choices there.

 

[john 800]

I like factory wheels on most everything, but many were changed and still look "period" correct.
My Chevelle:
Show us the 442.
View attachment 1256241

What size are the wheels and tires on the chevelle?
I had been thinking of tourqe thrusts, after looking around I found they are available with black centers. That might work well with this color combo or Maybe have the centers painted charcoal.

 

[Evan]

Rather than the Weld Draglites, I prefer the American Racing AR172. Another option are the VNA69.

 

[Cemetery21]

Chevelle above has 15 x 7 factory steel sport wheels. I think they used them thru the mid 70s on Camaros and Chevelles.

Edit: They are "5-spoke SS" wheels and they take an odd trim ring that sets in a groove in the wheel rim and a blue center with a chevy bowtie. Not correct for your 442. see the link at https://www.ss396.com/chevelle/NZW-...MIvoyloYHh8AIVx21vBB3KUASLEAQYCiABEgKaVvD_BwE

 

[jackieschmidt]

This style of wheel looks good on most vintage MuscleCars.

These are Centerline Billet Hammers.

 

[Twicepop]

I know there are a few muscle car guys on here and I am not a member yet on any forum that discusses old cars, so here goes: I have a deal in the works to buy a 71 olds 442 from my grandfather, which is pretty exciting for for me, I have been a spectator at car shows and drag race events but never owned anything interesting or fun. The car is gold/copper colored with black stripes and factory style wheels that have body color paint on some of the wheel, and honestly I am not real fond of the way they look. Most cars that are a few years older I really like cragars, but I am not sure if they would look right on this car. To me cragars say “mid 60s” maybe they would work. Weld draglites? Weld prostars? Tourqe thrusts? What do you guys think?

For my $0.02 worth, American Racing 200S would be my first choice, followed by another American Racing VN501 (looks like a Magnum 500), then either American Racing Torque Thrust or Cragar SS.

 

[acloco]

For clearance or for looks?

Looks, AND handling.

Check the difference between the 70 Chevelle and the Mustang. GM products of this era has ample wheelwells.

 

[tcmikey]

Billet Specialties mentioned above has some nice stuff. Year One has a 17" version of the Olds super stock wheel in aluminum.

 

[JSH]

I see a lot of the old black spoke mag wheels getting attention again. Makes most rides look like they have an attitude IMO.
Lol, they may be “vintage” now.

 

[MislMan]

Do a web search for pictures of your year car. Many pictures will have aftermarket wheels/tires so you can see how they look with your cars' bodylines. You may also find a website for musclecars that you might query the folks there for pictures of their rides.