Are these original GS400 Wheels?

Discussion in 'Buick FAQ' started by 66 Nailer, Aug 6, 2019.

  1. 66 Nailer

    66 Nailer Member

    Can anyone tell me if these are original or reproduction GS400 wheels? And does anyone know what the stampings signify?

    Looking at them for my 1966 GS400.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Ryans-GSX

    Ryans-GSX Have fun, life is short.

    Look like original and from what I can tell they look like 1973 wheels.
     
  3. gsfred

    gsfred Founders Club Member

    WP code is 71 up 15x7. They did not have 15x7 for Abody in 66. They will fit but you have to watch tire size so they don't rub.
     
    mrolds69 likes this.
  4. 66 Nailer

    66 Nailer Member

    I was hoping to do 235/60/15 rubber front and back. See any issues with clearance?
     
  5. Doo Wop

    Doo Wop Where were you in '62?

    My guess, repro wheels. Going by the box.
     
  6. Duane

    Duane Member

    They are exactly as Ryan and Fred described.
    Duane
     
    66 Nailer likes this.
  7. Duane

    Duane Member

    Actually I must correct myself, those wheels are originals, and are 1973 "WP" rims, but the "WP"rim designation started in 1973.

    The 71-72 wheels would have had a "WM" code.
    Duane
     
  8. gsfred

    gsfred Founders Club Member

    Always went by the TEAM BUICK site......
     
  9. Duane

    Duane Member

    Fred,
    I went with the research I did when I wrote my 14" and 15" Buick Wheel articles for the BPG "Build sheet". I looked at hundreds of wheels to put that article together, and got the guys on the board to give me their wheel codes/date codes to put it together.

    Now they were only for the A-bodies, I didn't look at the big car wheels.

    I still have a set of original date coded correct "WM" rims for my 71 GSX. Some day I will get them cut apart and have the rims chromed and put new centers in them.
    Duane
     
  10. mrolds69

    mrolds69 "The Cure"

    The off set is different on the earlier wheels like 66-67. The rear axle is wider on early cars. If your car were a 67 Skylark with rr fender wheel covers, you have to have the right offset wheels to fit. Even w/o the covers, it's like Fred said, you can get in trouble with wheel diam. and tire sizes on the early cars depending on the car height, etc.
     
  11. 66 Nailer

    66 Nailer Member

    The suspension is all stock on the car. Do you think I'd have trouble with 235/60/15 rubber front and back?
     
  12. mrolds69

    mrolds69 "The Cure"

    I couldn't really say. My 67 GS400 is mostly all stock, height, wheels, etc. I'm running Coker redlines I think they are 225/70-14's from memory, they might be 215's or 235's. I'd have to look. You would have the extra 1" height plus the 50 width, so it's a lot bigger overall. Then there's the offset, too. There are many guys on here who have cars that are running different combos. I'm sure somebody is either running something like that or has tried them. They should chime in.....
     
  13. mrolds69

    mrolds69 "The Cure"

  14. 66 Nailer

    66 Nailer Member

    Great resource - thanks for the help!

    From what I'm reading, these 15s I just bought, stamped "WP" have backspacing of 4 3/8" where as my stock '66 wheels are 4 1/2" back spacing. So only 1/8" more inward than stock. Playing around with rubber dimensions should alleviate an rubbing I would think.
     
  15. wkillgs

    wkillgs Gold Level Contributor

    That's what I have on my 66's.... 15x7 with 4-3/8" backspace.
    I put 235/60-15's on the front and 255/60-15's on the rear.
    255's in the rear can be very snug, they might rub if the rear isn't centered in the body. The rear axle may be 1/2" or more off center.
    But 235's all the way around will be fine.
     
    66 Nailer likes this.
  16. 66 Nailer

    66 Nailer Member

    Would you mind sending a couple photos of your wheel/tire set up so I can see how much bulge the 255 has in the 15x7 rim compared to the 235?
     
    mrolds69 likes this.
  17. mrolds69

    mrolds69 "The Cure"

    There you go, Walt gave you real word experience!
     

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