1929 CHRYSLER 65 wooden or wire wheels

[34 FORDOR]

I have wooden spoke wheels which have some slight movement where the small round section of the spoke goes into the steel rim .  Trying to decide which way to go, have them rebuilt or change  to wire wheels .  Is it possible to find brake drum / hub assemblies and wire wheels . Any thoughts / ideas would be appreciated, thanks

[JimmyS]

I love the wood wheels on my 32 Chrysler, but I love them because you very rarely see them on a 32, most 32’s had wire.  And because they’re minty.... my late father dumped the money into them not me. 

[viv w]

In the old days to cure this problem, they used to park the car in a river for some hours, so the wooden spokes would swell. How often they did that I'm not sure. You obviously don't want to do that with a restored car today.

 I would find someone who rebuilds wood wheels and ask their advice. I believe Coker Tire have a rebuilding service and also some Amish people can still do this work.

[C Carl]

Viv, please note, our friend in need is in New Zealand. Hopefully he has a wheelwright fairly near him. If it were me, I would respoke the wheels. I'm with Jimmy. Now those stout wood spoke wheels on his '32 really do look fabulous !    -   Carl 

[viv w]

Thanks Carl, I did miss the fact he is in New Zealand and yes there are probably guys in NZ or Aussie that can redo them. I do agree the wood wheels are really nice.

[34 FORDOR]

Thanks for your replies. Yes I rather like the wooden spoke wheels,   the car isn’t original , it was cut down  into a roadster pick up many years ago  and the wooden wheels suit it.  There  is a wheel wright down here  which I will contact  and take it from  there, in the mean time  the offending wheel has had the ethylene glycol treatment