What 15" steel wheel options do I have for my 65 B Body?
In that, what wheel can I use that will be wider, clear the single piston 1970 brake caliper, and still take the dogdish? I'd like to go with a considerably wider wheel all around.
As of now, I only know that a 15" Ralley wheel will clear the caliper on a 65-70 B.
Thanks, Mark
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1965 Laurentian post, 67 Big Block Grande Parisienne 4 door HT, Ex USSR Ottawa Embassy.
Mark, I believe 1971-1976 Chevrolet B body wheels are 5” bolt circle (not 4.75”) just something to consider, I know my 1972 Impala was 5”. bolt circle which limited wheel interchange
1980s Caprice 15 by 7, 5 on 4.75 bolt pattern (non police/wagon) F41 rim will fit. It's deeper than stock but not deep like the 15 by 8 Vette wheel. It will clear the single piston caliper - I used it on my 69 Caprice - but it jammed on my 68 4 piston caliper. It may not be wide enough for you though if you want a really deep wheel.
Mark, I believe 1971-1976 Chevrolet B body wheels are 5” bolt circle (not 4.75”) just something to consider, I know my 1972 Impala was 5”. bolt circle which limited wheel interchange
Yes, 70 Impala rim is the last year for the 4.75" until they downsized in 77. Some of those new smaller Impalas went back to 4.75" pattern but not all of them are.
I know there are none left in my area. With the last set I bought here I ended up tossing one away as the rim was rusted through. However I had to temporarily move to Nova Scotia in 2017 and while I was there I advertised looking for these specific wheels. I ended up with 5 good 15 by 7 steel wheels in 5 on 4 & 3/4 and 2 15 by 7 in 5 on 5. I shipped them home when I moved back. You might get lucky if you advertise. The Ontario market is pretty big and lots of these cars were sold there. And the wheels were used on 77-90 Chevy, Olds, Pontiac and Buick B bodies (non police or wagon) with the wire wheel covers because the wires required a deep wheel. I'm sure you could find them in a pick apart out west as well. Maybe some western members will have an idea where to find them. They look good with the right dog dish caps. I had a set on my 65 Parisienne convertible back in the early 90s and they looked sharp.
One other thought. If you want a really wide wheel with dog dish caps you might be able to use the 15 by 8 Vette wheel and modify and mount a set of hubcap clips used on the early 50s Chevy pickup trucks (LMC, Brothers, Ecklers or one of the truck suppliers have them as I have seen them somewhere) to allow you to attach the Pontiac dog dish hubcap. I also had a set of 8 inch Vette wheels on my 65 Parisienne convt for a while. They fit fine with 225 70 15 police spec tires and looked awesome.
And of course Larry had a supplier for an adapter for dog dish caps that he used on his blue Biscayne 2 door post (sorry to hear of your accident Larry but glad to see you have a replacement car). I'm sure you can find or make a solution that will enable you to get the look you want.
