OT: Classic car purchase

[Bushwack]

I'm negotiating the purchase of a 1980s GM car with about 55M miles. The seller has driven the car with 22" wheels for the past 6M miles (OEM wheels are 15").

What, if any, drivetrain/transmission damage is possible by driving on 22" wheels (under 'normal' driving conditions)? The process of this purchase does not allow me to have the car checked out by a mechanic.

[Barney Eaton]

The only concern I would have is with wheels that more off-set which could overload the wheel bearings. However even if it were a problem, the low mileage should not be a problem.

[Guest Richard D]

Sorry, But what does 55 M miles mean? 55 million? 55 Mega-miles? I must be getting old.

[Ronnie]

Roman numeral M=1000

[padgett]

Sorry, have trouble with "80's" and "Classic" in the same topic. (Unless a Caprice Classic - is this an SS ?)

OTOH the major worries I would have are threefold:

1) Was the car jacked for clearance. If so, how ? (can bend things)

2) Is the inner fender liner OK ? (again rubbing could be an issue)

3) Were the fenders or suspension otherwise modified ?

All three things should be visual though might ned to remove a wheel or two

ps current meaning of "M" is Mega as in Megabytes. Kilo is thousand. Of course if Mega-miles you should be calling Guiness.

Edited November 28, 2011 by padgett (see edit history)

[Bushwack]

Thanks all for the help. Aesthetically and of what I've seen (mechanically) thus far, car is too good to pass on. Decided to engage a mobile mechanic (I forgot they exist) who will take a look at the car Tuesday.

[NCReatta]

Sorry, have trouble with "80's" and "Classic" in the same topic. (Unless a Caprice Classic - is this an SS ?)

The SS (Impala technically.. not Caprice) was mid-'90s. BUt I've seen quite a few locally that have been jacked up and put on 22"s. They're called Donks around here. Look it up on Wikipiedia.

It really all depends (as padgett said) on what was dong prior to the (shall we call it) "Conversion". If the seller took the necessary steps to do it right, then you shouldn't have a problem.