Does anybody remember which issues of the Bugle or maybe the Buildsheet were the ones that had those great comprehensive articles about factory Buick rallye wheels? I looked, but couldn't find it. My immediate question, though, is this: was there ever a 15 x 7 wheel made with the 5 x 5" pattern for the big Buicks? Maybe in the 1980's? Thanks in advance, Steve.
a long time ago i swiped this from a post ... The later wheels used a 3-7/8 backspacing while the 70 and earlier ones used a 3-3/8 backspacing. If they are 15x7s they will have 4-1/4 backspacing. Both of these wheels take adapaters to be used on 70 and earlier cars. They actually made 6 big car wheels, 1 design in 64 for the large wheel hubs, a different one in 65 for the new smaller wheelhubs, 66-67 saw a non disc wheel identical to the 65 except for a larger center cap hole, 67-70 wheels were made to fit discs and drums (67 they where brake specific), 71~85 depending on the car was the last 15x6 and had altered back spacing and back to the small center cap hole, finally the 80-87 15x7 came out with the big backspacing and small center cap hole. Thanks to the June 02 Bugle for all of that. There were many versions of the 5" bolt pattern wheels. The first one was available on 64 Wildcats only. It had charcoal colored center, larger hub diameter, no register ring and 2" hole for center cap mounting. the size was 15X6. Their backspacing differed from the more common 71 and later wheels and allowed to clear the drum fins (the wheels stood about " outward compared to the later ones) The second type was available on 65 Wildcats and Rivieras and was identical to the 64 wheel save for the addition of a register ring because of the smaller hub diameter. The Third type of wheels available on the 66-67 Wildcats and Rivieras without disc brakes and were painted a darker charcoal and had 2 1/8" hole for the center cap. The fourth type were available on 67 Wildcat/Riviera with disc brakes and on all 68 Wildcat/Riviera models and on some 69-70 full size cars. They were similar to the third type but thd space for caliper clearance and were painted black. The fifth type is the common 71 and later wheels and they had a new smaller hub diameter whitout a register ring, were having a different backspacing that made them stand inboard of the car and switched back to a 2" center hole like the 64-65 wheels. A 15x7" model similar to that wheel also came later.
The last thread provided lots of helpful information. I only wanted to add that the 15 x 7 rallye wheels will not clear the finned aluminum front drums on at least the 69-70 big cars. Also, I have read that at least the 69 big cars with disc brakes had slightly different rallye wheels than the drum brake models in order to fit over the disc brake assemblies.
I had 15x7 Buick roadwheels on my 70 Riv and they cleared the 90fin Al drums no problem. I thought the 15x7 roadwheels were also available on the 71 and later Rivieras? Big centercap hole, small wheel hub hole without register ring. I'll have to dig that copy of the Buggle out at home and look it up.
Here is my Centurion with the 15" X 7" Wheels on it. They are on my '65 Wildcat now, had to have spacers to work on the older (probably pre-disc brake era) brake drums. They look great on the Centurion, AWESOME on the Wildcat :Brow: Only 1 thing- they have the (smaller) 2" hole- the NOS Wildcat centers snap right in there :grin: . The BMD silver/little trishield caps are for the 2" holes- at least the ones on the original '71 Centurion road wheels and the NOS ones I bought in Batavia are that way! Ted
If I read all that right; if I look for 80-87 Big Buicks in my local yard, I oughta be able to find (if I'm lucky) some 15x7 wheels with 5" bolt centers that'll go on my '71 LeSabre? * Station wagons only, or any particular model, or on all Buicks? * Will my nifty '69 Wildcat center caps fit on them? Doesn't sound like it.
The 15 x 7 rallye wheels are very hard to come by and I believe were only delivered on the wagons such as the Estate Wagon. The 15 x 6 rallyes are not infrequently mistaken for the much rarer 7" width wheels. I can state without question that they will not clear the 90 fin aluminum drums on 1969's. Also, the '69 Wildcat center caps will not fit on them. Ted, I am pleased that you enjoy the 15 x 7 rallyes that you purchased from me. They look great!
i tried forever to find 4 NOS 15x6 5on5 buick factory spoked wheels ... finally this summer i found them one at a time ...i searched ebay extensively for mispelled words etc. i got 2 that were spares (one with a perfect original radial and the other a perfect staight tread tire) that had NEVER been mounted. another one (with another almost perfect radial) looks like it might have been driven 100 miles or less. and the last one (with no tire) i scored was actually used but aside from little scratches from where lug nuts had been tightened, you cant tell it from any of the other wheels. after shipping i have about $500 in them ... and about $68 in a set of 4 NOS #1236446 caps. BTW sbrmd.... i have an extra 15x7 wheel in average or better condition .. i would let it go cheap. i will post a pic or two on saturday.
Thanks for all the input, guys! I love this board. The article I had in mind is indeed in the 6/2002 Bugle; went back and read it. So I guess I'm on the lookout for the 1980-87 5x5 4.25 backspacing wheels. Yuk, I'd definitely interested in your singleton, and would like to see your pics. Best regards, Steve.
I have a real clean set here dam near Nos, Check out the pix's. I had them on ebay with Nos lugs and centers and they never came close to my reserve. which was $575 I feel there worth every penny. I hate to put them on a car they are so nice.
Hmm... Jarrod, do you know what car these originally came off of? Are you sure they're 15 x 7, and not 15 x 6? Thanks in advance, Steve.
that is a beautiful set of wheels ... how long ago did you try to sell them? i recently bought another set of 4 with tires from ebay that are pretty sweet. i won the auction at something like 58 bux plus shipping costs. one of my winter projects is making an enclosed trailer from a 1990 suburban. cutting it right in front of the rear doors and use the back of a regular truck cab to close in the front of the trailer. gonna use buick wheels on the trailer.
About 2 weeks ago on ebay and they only hit $405. One guy didn't like the fact I was asking so much and he expressed his opinion more than once. He was mad that I owned them not him.
Those are nice, Jarrod! I don't know why people complain; if he couldn't afford your price, he should shop elsewhere; they're your wheels. I'd be interested, but would rather look around for some 7". Thanks anyway! Best regards, Steve.
