65 Riviera Wheels

[Crazy4cruz]

I purchased a 65 Riviera about one year ago. The gentleman I purchased it from had put custom tires and wheels on it, but also had a complete set of original wire spoke wheel covers. Unfortunately he did not have the original steel wheels. How hard is it to track down a set of original wheels? Are the wheels from other years/makes/models interchangeable? Also, is there any issue with switching back to original wheels if the Riviera has been lowered?

[RivNut]

It's much easier to find wheels for a '65 and later than a '63/'64. The '65 has the smaller center hole and that was used for a few years. I don't know when they stopped making the wheel with the four slots for the bolt on cast wheel cover. Kind of strange that they left the slots when the cast covers were no longer an option.

Here's a link that shows the different wheels.

http://forums.aaca.org/f177/64-riv-wheels-350430.html

[Jim65Riv]

My interchange book says that Buick Part Number 1377269 15x6 plain steel wheel fits 1965 Wildcat, Electra and Riviera. There is also a listing for a heavy-duty (trailer-tow) plain steel wheel, part #1363478, fitting 64-65 Le Sabre, Wildcat, Electra and Riviera.

[Crazy4cruz]

Thank you both for the information. Very helpful. Do either of you know if I will have any issues with the tires and wheels fitting with the Riviera having been dropped three inches? I would hate to track down some rims just to find out that the tires rub or something. Thanks again.

[RivNut]

No clue on that. Sorry

[Jim65Riv]

P225/75R15 tires on standard wheels will rub on the frame rails at full steering lock. I'm going down to 215's next time. Other than that, I'm with Ed - no idea.

[Crazy4cruz]

Jim, thanks for the info. Have to track down some wheels first, but good to know about the 225's

[steelman]

BB1970 dropped his about that far on the stock Formula 5 wheels. He generally checks in on the weekend. I think he can answer this better than anyone. Mine is dropped further with bigger wheels and only have a very slight rub on full lock, so you shouldn't have any problems, but see what Bill says.