Hello and Wire Wheels

I also think they look great. CORDially Mike

    I had chrome wire wheels made by Wheel Vintiques for my Glenn Pray Replica. 16" with original center caps. I'm sure they could make them in painted colors as well. I think they look great.

Private message sent

Thanks to all of you! I decided to order 4.5 bolt pattern new wire wheels and try to adapt the Auburn Hubcaps to them.
I will keep you updated and am happy about the great support here!
Szilard

A set of 4 , 34-36 eight cylinder wire wheels in very good condition 5.5 bolt pattern.

I bought mine from Glenn Pray. and made a custom adaptor to fit my modern axles. Keep in mind if you have original wheels the opening where the axle pokes through has the center stamped in reverse of a modern car for helping locate rim on axle, your adapter needs to have a recess machined . The Auburn bolt pattern is 5-1/2 Inch bolt circle @ 72 degrees separation. I used a 1974 Monte Carlo rear and front with 4-3/4 bolt pattern 36 degree offset from the Auburns pattern.. I have a drawing of what I made and will try to post if anyone is interested.

I agree to choose a set of wheels with ford pattern. It is a 2nd gen anyways so it would be a waste to try to put original wheels on it. What counts for me is the look and for that I would like to combine the wheels with Auburn hubcaps. I am ok to proceed with any wheel that is of good quality and the right look. Can be Dayton, Wheel Smith…

Curt, what was the result of your measuring - if you would like to share. I am happy to call you alternatively..

Thanks
Szilard

I went out and checked, I have a set of 8 cylinder wire wheels.

Pat…I completely agree. This is a classic example of modifying the right part to accept original components as opposed to trying to convert to original Auburn components un-necessarily. In this example, the bolt pattern of the nuts holding the wheel on the replica are 5 x 4.5. And the new rim you buy should have that bolt pattern in my opinion…I do not know the original bolt pattern for an original Auburn - no one has told us that measurement yet……someone like Curt or Mike should provide that info if they can. I imagine it is most likely an uncommon size and will therefore increase the cost of creating the wheel look you want. A 5 x 4.5 bolt pattern is a common Ford lug nut spacing (like on my replica). So it will be quite easy to buy a wire wheel with that specification. Usually the wheel diameter is 15 inch, which matches most replicas. Another consideration is the wheel offset.
But in my mind the big issue is, how do you get a center cap in the wheel that can accept a center cap that has the beautiful “Auburn 8” logo stamped into it. That logo is hard to find. No doubt Curt has a beautiful reproduction of that stamping on a center cap. His attention to detail on other parts have been superb (in my opinion). So if he sells that center cap (as shown in your photos), we need to have a measurement of the diameter of the center cap, along with the diameter of the raised section that snaps into the center part of a standard auburn wheel. This will tell us if an adapter is required to be machined…..I have a feeling that willbe required.
Curt….can you provide the dimensions of any center hubcap you sell?

Hi, you would be further ahead purchasing a new rim with the correct spoke pattern and bolt pattern and just make an adapter to use the original auburn hubcap if it didn't already work as is. My 2 cents. Pat

Curt, that is correct. Once I have original center hubs, I can fit original hubcaps on it. The bolt pattern I use is 5x 4.5. The original Auburn pattern is 4.25? If that is the case I would be still able to make Auburn pattern fit to my actual pattern by changing the pattern on my wheel hub itself.
The question is still, where to get original hubs.
Thanks
Szilard

What he needs is, original center hubs. The rims and spokes are not importent.
If he supplies the hubs to Dayton wheel, they can make him new ones.

Do you have the correct bolt pattern for original wheels?
CORDially Mike

Hi, try Wheel Smith in California 1- 800 -854- 8937
Tech phone 1- 951- 898- 4563
thewheelsmith.net
Good luck
Pat

I assume, the original wheels of my car have been replaced due to an (for me) unknown reason. I contacted ACD and Felix DeGuyter (btw they assured the history of the car being #2) regarding the wheels and am also waiting for an alternative. But as mentioned by xjn001 and you, Curt pointing out the correct wheels, I would be interested in purchasing the right ones regardless of the source whether commercial or private seller.

When I spoke with Glenn many years ago, he said the first 17 speedsters he built were constructed of original Auburn parts. As he ran out of parts he used reproduction stuff untill there was no original stufff left. I have hubcaps.

Those are the ones I am looking for (except the color of course). How and where can I get those? Thanks!

How about these wires?

The red car is what I have, the wheels on the Creme car is what I need. I hope that helps. Thanks!

Post a photo of what you have or what you think you need

Dear Club Forum and Club members.

First of all I would like to say "Hello" to all of you and I am happy to join the forum as an owner of a rare Glenn Pray car - the second ever built in unrestored original condition.

I am very happy with the car and would like to keep its patina but also would like to change one thing that is important to me. As of now, it has truespoke wire wheels with donut hubcaps and I would like to change them to painted wire wheels with Auburn 8 hubcaps on it. I called dayton wire wheels already and they mentioned, they can build the right wheels but would need the hubs and caps to proceed. My truespoke wheels have a bolt pattern of 5x4.5" that would not fit with Auburn hubs right? How could that issue be solved? I am happy to hearing from you and best regards from Germany!

Szilard