I'm looking for some places that will take your rims, cut the centers out, and weld them into new outer rims? I know there was a guy on here not too long ago(maybe Ohio area?) that was doing Buick rally wheels. Looking for cost and closest to Michigan to cut down on shipping. Thanks, Tom
Tom - A couple other thoughts besides the ones mentioned here: a) I think Stockton wheel does this too b) If you are mixing and matching existing components (ie, the wheel rim and wheel centers are production pieces or already made) knowing your abilities I would encourage you to try it yourself. We have widened a number of Corvette rally wheels by adding additional rim width to the back side, or by replacing the centers, changing the offset, etc. You would need a dial indicator to check the radial and lateral runout, which I know you could do, and a good welder. Just a thought - K
I just ordered two 15x8 Buick rally wheels from Curt and the pics he has of his wheels look excellent. I also finally found a set of 1971 Buick super stock wheels and spoke to Curt about them so later in the year the front two will be welded into 15x7 chrome rim shells and the back two into 15x8 chrome rim shells, then Curt will beadblast the insides and paint them to match my car's exterior color.
Chris, Did Curt quote you his turn-around time for supplying the wheels (from ordering to shipping)? Also, do you know his current prices for the 15x7 and 15x8's?
>>Hi Chuck. I know that Curt advertised his wheels here on the board but I actually did a buy it now off an ebay auction he ran for two 15x8 Buick rally wheels for $280. I'm going to swap these two on the rear of my car with 275x60x15 tires. When I spoke to Curt about doing my super stock rims he quoted me the change from 14x6 (which is what the super stock wheels only came in 1971) as $110 per wheel for 15x7 and $120 per wheels for 15x8. Keep in mind though I am supplying the cores. If you were to just purchase wheels without supplying cores then I'm sure the price would be higher. Best bet is to give Curt a call directly at: (515)685-3397.
>>Hi Dean. When I spoke to Curt about doing this project and emailed him a pic of the super stock wheels he told me that he already did one set of these with exactly the same plan I had. Two 15x7s in chrome rim shells and two 15x8s in chrome rim shells. Then he beadblasted the centers and the owner had them painted a dark blue to match the exterior - I don't know if the owner is a member here? o No: I'll definitely post pics when I get this project done but it will not be for a while - probably towards the end of the year. Funny timing but I had been looking for a set of super stock wheels for a while, then I decided to give up on finding a set and settled for the 15x8 Buick rally wheels, only to get an offer on a set of super stock rims a few days later. Plus I have a complete 8.5 3:08 posi rear to add to my car, along with the rebuilt rally gauges, etc... Too many projects!
The reason I started this post was for this very same thing. I have a set of Super Sport wheels on the way to me from N.C.,but I'm not sure if I want them put into Chrome outer shells, or 14x7 bare steel shells, then painted as original. I don't mind a 14" wheel on our 70-72 Skylarks, but they HAVE to be 14x7 with the extra inch towards the outside. 14x6 in wheels look dorky on these cars, way too far under the car leaving a lot of overhang/top heavy looking, like a fat lady on a bar stool.
>>Hi Tom, I'm switching the 14x6 super sport wheels to 15x7 with 245x60x15 tires on the front and 275x60x15 tires on the back. That is the same set up I am doing with my Buick rally wheels on the car now. So I'll have super sport and rallys to switch back and forth with when both projects are done. I'm definitely going to put the super sport wheels into chrome rim shells so I do not need to add the trim rings that the originals used. I don't know why Buick painted all these wheels a charcoal grey, I think they will look really sharp with a color matching the exterior of the car.
Thanks for the info Chris! I currently own two 14x7 buick rallys that I bought from Curt at Spring Jefferson (WI) in 2006. When I first saw this beautiful pair of rims I couldn't believe my eyes. The cleanest rallys I ever saw, I thought he was selling repros. until I spotted the stainless centers. After wading through all the rusty, bent and junky wheels it was refreshing to find as new Buick rims. Bought the pair for 50 bucks. As I was shelling out the dough he told me that he has a business doing this... cutting out the centers and welding on new chrome barrels. I was in too much of a hurry with my low buck swap meet 'steal' to get his info back then and never had the chance to run into him again until he popped up on this board. To this day... best set of wheels I ever bought! Chrome has weathered better than I've seen and they've balanced better than any mass produced factory or aftermarket wheel I've ever owned! I now have a few cores sitting in my basement and hope to get these made into the finest 15" Buick rallys my 'Lark has ever seen! BTW, I like your choice of tire size/selection. Gives the car a deserved fierce look to match the horsepower 'personality' under the hood!:TU: Thanks again for the info.,
Well, Curt called me tonight and said my Super Sport wheels arrived today. He will get started on them this week, but has a pretty busy schedule over the next couple week's, but said he would get them done a.s.a.p. Stay tuned here for pics in about 2 weeks. I'm having the center's painted the correct dark argent and put into chrome 15x7 shells. Should look pretty neat:TU:
>>Hi Tom, Post some pics when you get the super sport wheels back. This weekend I should be able to take pics of my new 15x8 rally wheels that Curt made me. I'm definitely going to have my super sport wheels painted burnished cinamon to match my car's exterior but I will be doing the 15x7 (and 15x8 for the rears) chrome rim shells like you are doing.
I just posted two pics of Curt's 15x8 Buick rallys on my Skylark on another thread - the link is: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?p=1138371#post1138371
