Im thinking about having a shop widen a set of 15 inch rally rims that I just got. They came with 295s on the rear. It looks really unsafe but would like to keep a big tire like that. Anyone have this done on the east coast? Who did you use? Im on long island. Thanks
Been done. 15X8 rally wheels. Year-one use to sale them as well others. https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/15x8-reproduction-buick-rallye-wheel-sources.375055/
Wheel Vintiques which is owned by Coker now is the only manufacturer of the reproduction Buick 15x8 rallye wheel. So no matter where you buy it, it’s the same one. Discussed in the thread posted above. I think that’s true for all the 14” and 15” Buick rallye wheels now.
Quick search of a web turned up prices around $150-$200 per wheel to widen a wheel. These were prices from over a decade ago. Maybe someone does it cheaper you can find that does a good job, but I’d imagine it may approach the cost of just buying the reproduction 15x8’s.
But looks like Weldcraft may do it. However they aren’t in Long Island. I’d be interested in what it really costs. https://weldcraftwheels.com/
...couple things about what Weldcraft does, according to webpage; widening is done by adding a ring of metal to inner side of rim, which increases backspace. For example, widening a 7X15 Rallye to 8X15 changes backspace from 4 3/8 to 5 3/8, which may or may not be an issue. Welding centers in new rims allows backspace to be whatever (within reason and physical features of rim) for clearance or geometry. Also, unless I misread, they don't finish wheel. You'd have to have that done somewhere else...
Thanks for the replies. Wheel Vintiques has them at 650 a pair. Not sure if Its worth it for the little increase in width. But maybe the 15x10 would be. That would really be able to fill the wheel well. Im going to look in to them and start saving.
I had a set of 15x14 Buick wheels made by Stockton wheels 15-20 years ago for $400 shipped to Pa. I'd hate to think what it would cost nowadays..
https://www.wheelvintiques.com/all-wheels/15x10-buick-rallye-5x4-75-bolt-5-backspace.html Problem is that the WV 15 X 10 wheel comes with 5" of back spacing. That won't be enough in most cases. WV does NOT do custom back spacing any more. They screwed me over when I ordered two 15 X 8" Buick wheels with 5" of back spacing. Stock BS for them is 4 1/2". They kept my money for 2 years, jerking me around for those two years before they told me they no longer did custom back spacing orders. https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/wheel-vintiques-has-been-sold.386942/
I don’t understand why they are making 15x8 reproductions with 4 1/2” backspace. Who wants those? They’d probably increase sales significantly if they just made a 15x8 with 5” backspace. Then they’d sell more tires too. I would have bought tires and wheels from them if they sold those, but instead I bought original 15x7 and will get tires from local place.
Mine are 295/50 x 15 on 15 x 8 Rallye wheels with 4 3/4" backspacing. These wheels were made by a V8 Board member a few years ago (Steve Wheeler?). They fit perfectly on my '70 with a '71 8.5 Corporate rear axle.
I had a set of 15x10 made by a company in Washington or Organ years ago with the 5-1/2 back space "if I am remembering correctly" Those wheels looked so good with the tire that Ray has. They had very little bulge and allowed more tire on the ground. Sure wish I had kept those wheels.
Yes, 5 1/2 -5 5/8" back spacing is what is needed on a 10" wide wheel to fit the widest tire in the back of the 70-72 Skylark/GS. That corresponds to zero offset or 1/8" positive offset. I believe Phil Sedlon used a wheel like that to mount P325/50R-15 Drag radials on the back of his 70 GS. This thread, https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/my-new-new-15x10s-are-here.15046/ Pictures of Phil's car,