[Chrysler300] Big Wheels

[Rich Barber <barber@xxxxxxxxx>]

John:

Thank you for the thorough response, as per usual from you.  Before we 
let this drop, could you confirm the rim widths as published in the 
Chrysler shop manual.  5.5" for Windsor & NY (& 300, assumed), 6" for 
Imperial and 6.5" for Crown Imperial.

I bought a nice set of rechromed Motor Wheel wire wheels from a Club 
member and they have the Bornstein repro caps.  After installing the set 
of Remington L-78-15 wide WSW's on the wheels (with new tubes), I noted 
the caps were a loose fit and made too much "music" while driving.  I 
was looking for an appropriate O-ring  to shim them up, but settled for 
a wrap of 1/4" sticky-sided foam weather strip applied to the back of 
the caps.  Cheapest fix so far!

This query has generated the usual banter over judging.  I really like 
the looks of the wire wheels on my car, but am considering stripping and 
repainting the original rims and installing a different set of tires on 
them for judged Chrysler 300 meets.  I would need to repaint the center 
medallions for max. impact.  I respect the judging rules and have 
removed the cowl-mounted outside rear-view mirrors from my car to return 
it to as-shipped factory condition.  I replaced them with removable 
clamp-on mirrors mounted to the vent window frames.  Guess I will remove 
the nice clock I bought for the judged shows, also. 

My tire research shows very few options for 8.00-15's.  So far only 
Coker seems to have them with 3" WSW's.@ $127/pop for their Coker 
Classic.  Seems like a high price to pay for an inferior tire.  The 
L78-15 Remingtons ride and handle quite nicely, but are probably 15-16 
years old with less than 1,000 miles on them.  May be time to replace 
them on general principles.  Any thoughts on having all the balance 
weights put on the inside of the wire wheels?  I had this done and 
notice no vibration problems, even with considerable weight.  Keeps the 
appearance of the wheel cleaner.

300-ly,

Rich Barber
Brentwood, CA
1955 C-300

Johnl wrote:

>A couple of issues here.  First, if a 300B came from the factory with wires and it is in judging at a Chrysler 300 Club International meet then there is no issue.  If the wheels were added later the car is not correct as to the build sheet.
>
>Wire wheels were offered from 1953 through 1956 and there were three variations that I know of.   For sometime I though they were offered from 1951 up but Sherwood Kahlenberg pointed out to me that it was 1953 through 1956.   Thanks Sher, as I've always said our cars are a continuing learning process and no one has all of the answers.
>
>1.    Plymouth/Dodge with 48 spokes and the lacing was on the outer lip of the wheel like the T-Bird wires.
>
>2.    DeSoto/Chrysler also with 48 spokes but the lacing is further back in the wheel and this is also wider than the Plymouth/Dodge.  Both are a 15", 5 bolt on a 4 1/2" pattern.
>
>3.    Imperial wheels were 52 spokes with the same lacing as the DeSoto/Chrysler wheel but were wider.  These were 15" on a 5 1/2"bolt pattern.  Also they were used on DeSoto and Chrysler wagons, but I'm not sure about Plymouth and Dodge.  I've read and heard stories about a bulletin sent out via Chrysler that these wheels would not be offered after a certain date in 1955 on Imperials and Wagons.  My guess is it had something to do with a weight issue regarding these particular cars.
>
>Most of the repro wires for these cars I've seen are all done in 52 spoke version.  I have no idea why.  A few months ago I decided to install wires on our '55 NYer T&C and was lucky enough to find a set of newly finished correct original wheels.
>
>Last, a subject that has not been covered in any of this is the caps for all of these wheels.  There are two sources that I know of.  Bob Bornstein in Southern California was offering them and the product was excellent.  Now Coker Tire has them available.  It is my opinion that Bob's are nicer but at 60 mph you can't see the difference.  If you have a set of originals don't spend the time and money to replate them.  The repros are a far better way to go.
>
>John Lazenby
>Southern California, just minutes from Disneyland
>1955 Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe Town & Country
>1955 Imperial Newport
>1955 Chrysler C300
>1956 Chrysler 300B
>1957 Chrysler 300C Coupe
>1960 Chrysler 300F Coupe
>1963  Volkswagen Beetle
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