Did someone have a big sale on Cragar S/S wheels?

[Oh Haha]

I have seen a ton of cars and trucks lately with Cragar S/S wheels. Sure, it's a classic style but why the resurgence?

[Oh Haha]

This beauty was at a local car cruise.

[pwd72s]

'64 Goat...the car that started "muscle"...beautiful. Thanks for the pic..

[Zeke]

The fact that they are being made and the fact that they are considered "period correct" is a main reason. When cars are judged, period correct neither adds nor subtracts. Of course other period correct wheels are Americans and baby moons on steelies.

And most all look better than what the cars came with, Fuchs on Porsches being an exception.

Big business these days with Tiger Paw red lines and other tires. Cooker Tire and Lucas Tire (not far from me) are doing well selling old style new tires.

[sc_rufctr]

Milt

Are these the same as the original Bat Mobile?

[porsche4life]

I prefer them to the gawdy new crap some of the guys run.... YUCK! The guy we bought one of our car trailers from had one of the nicest '67 SS Camaros I have ever seen... The god awful wheels ruined it.... A set of Cragars would have made a world of difference....

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by milt

And most all look better than what the cars came with, Fuchs on Porsches being an exception.

Glad you said "Most all"...I cringe when guys dump the original bullitt wheels for shiny stuff. Gotta confess, I am thinking of having mine widened a bit...only 8 1/2" wide as they sit...

[porsche4life]

Ya paul... That stance could be improved for sure... I must admit that the new mustang wheels aren't bad..... Shame about the rest of the car though...

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Milt

Are these the same as the original Bat Mobile?

I don't know. There have been so many Bat Mobiles that it might be hard to determine. I assume you're talking about the first ones Barris built. AFAIK, they were left to die in the sun and then rescued. Who knows what was done or redone. I don't.

I looked at the pics on the web and they do seem to be similar with a red bat as a center cap. However, I see a rib on the spoke that a Cragar would not have.

[pwd72s]

Of course, it'll never keep up with a well driven 944 through the twisties... Sure a shame 944's are so ugly, tho...

That's one part of the design I don't like...even when "dropped in the weeds", the S197 Mustangs look "high" because of the fender designs. I've done some measuring of actual clearances underneath...with the Bullitt already being a bit lower than the stock GT, I don't think I want to go much lower...Even the most radical coils on the aftermarket only drop the car about 1"...lower than that, they won't work on the street...

(edit) Sidney, have you EVER driven a Bullitt Mustang? I've driven 944 Turbo and 944 S2...All I can tell ya is be careful out there...

[scottmandue]

+100000 on what Milt and P4life said...

Noting worse that seeing a cool classic American car with some bling bling silly wheels on it!

I don't even like chrome wheels on 944's! (but heck it is your car do what you like)

I do like the wheels on the new Mustangs... nicely retro... IMHO of course!

[Oh Haha]

Paul, I've seen "deep dish" Bullit style wheels on the newer cars. You might try a speed shop instead of fookin' with your factory wheels.

[Jim Bremner]

Nothin' worse than BBW's

Big Billet wheels on vintage cars.

I want someone to say "nice car" not "nice wheels"

[Tobra]

You can get WIDE old style wheels from Eastwood, like Chevy or Olds rally wheels, or the Mopar or Ford ones too. Look like stock, but big.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by Oh Haha

Paul, I've seen "deep dish" Bullit style wheels on the newer cars. You might try a speed shop instead of fookin' with your factory wheels.

Yep, I've been toying with the idea of a set of these in 7.25" backspace...(stock backspace is 6.82") An exra inch in width should allow a wide tire selection.
Wheelsforless - Custom Wheels - VNCL20589500 - Classic Torq Thrust 18x9.5 - Vintage Wheels - Wheelsforless

I like that this company allows you to select your preferred backspace...no need to play with wheel spacers, longer wheel lugs, etc.

Kind of like the wheels "Lt. Frank Bullitt" ran in the old movie, eh?

Yep, "retro" wheel designs in modern diameters are becoming popular.

[Zeke]

People gonna realize someday that 20 inchers with rubber bands do not ride nice. Peobably about the same time they will be getting hearing aids because of their sub woofers.

[WIL84911]

lol

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by milt

People gonna realize someday that 20 inchers with rubber bands do not ride nice. Probably about the same time they will be getting hearing aids because of their sub woofers.

Cracks me up when I see a compact (Toyota, Nissan, Honda) with the 20+ inch wheels that actually RAISE the car off the ground... that has got to do wonders for the handling.

[Hugh R]

Originally Posted by milt

When cars are judged, period correct neither adds nor subtracts.

As a concours judge I couldn't disagree more. Period correct tires and wheels avoid at least a 1 point deduction. I did a tie breaker at the LA Concours at the Rose Bowl last year between two Aston Martins where one guy had the correct bias-belted Dunlop tires over an equally well done car with newer radials. I mean it came down to that one item between 1st and 2nd place.

[Mike C]

Originally Posted by milt

I don't know. There have been so many Bat Mobiles that it might be hard to determine. I assume you're talking about the first ones Barris built. AFAIK, they were left to die in the sun and then rescued. Who knows what was done or redone. I don't.

I looked at the pics on the web and they do seem to be similar with a red bat as a center cap. However, I see a rib on the spoke that a Cragar would not have.

Those wheels are made by Radir & are still available.