Dan O Posted September 20, 2023 Share Posted September 20, 2023 Greetings! Is the bolt pattern the same? I found a set of apparently OEM wire wheels with SKYLARK on the spinners and decent Coker bias ply tires mounted. I do not see any damage and the chrome is good. Tires are older - date code is "129" which I assume is 12th month of 2009 since they were mounted pre-2014. I think these would look great on my '49 convertible. And yes, I have read the discussions on here regarding truing the rims and balance and difficulty keeping clean but I have always wanted a set of wires on something! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted September 20, 2023 Share Posted September 20, 2023 I think you should make sure the hub diameter of the rim will be big enough to fit your hub. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted September 20, 2023 Share Posted September 20, 2023 2 hours ago, JohnD1956 said: I think you should make sure the hub diameter of the rim will be big enough to fit your hub. That should not be a problem since the centers on wire wheels is larger than steel wheels making them lug-centric vs hub-centric on the steel wheels. Hint: cut the heads off a couple of lug nuts and cut slots in the ends to make it easier to line up and mount the wires. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan O Posted September 20, 2023 Author Share Posted September 20, 2023 24 minutes ago, old-tank said: That should not be a problem since the centers on wire wheels is larger than steel wheels making them lug-centric vs hub-centric on the steel wheels. OK, but is the bolt pattern going to match up from the newer '53-'54 wires to my older '49? And the '49 uses lug bolts that screw into the wheel hub - is that the same on the '53-'54 or a problem? I bet the '53-'54 has the lugs on the hub, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted September 20, 2023 Share Posted September 20, 2023 I would be greatly surprised if they did not fit and if they don't then you can send me a nasty gram. 😮 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireballV8 Posted September 20, 2023 Share Posted September 20, 2023 5 hours ago, Dan O said: Greetings! Is the bolt pattern the same? I found a set of apparently OEM wire wheels with SKYLARK on the spinners and decent Coker bias ply tires mounted. I do not see any damage and the chrome is good. Tires are older - date code is "129" which I assume is 12th month of 2009 since they were mounted pre-2014. I think these would look great on my '49 convertible. And yes, I have read the discussions on here regarding truing the rims and balance and difficulty keeping clean but I have always wanted a set of wires on something! Hi Dan O Those tires are from the 12th week of 1999 or 1989 or 1979. After the year 2000, the codes were four digits 2 digits for the week of the year and 2 digits for the year. Hope this helps. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan O Posted September 21, 2023 Author Share Posted September 21, 2023 12 hours ago, FireballV8 said: Hi Dan O Those tires are from the 12th week of 1999 or 1989 or 1979. After the year 2000, the codes were four digits 2 digits for the week of the year and 2 digits for the year. Hope this helps. 1999? These tires look like they have not been driven many miles but 1999 was a long time ago for a tire - that changes the trade if I need to swap out tires. I have included a photo - are those actually Buick factory wheels? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireballV8 Posted September 22, 2023 Share Posted September 22, 2023 Yes, they are the right Skylark wire wheels, the 53 would be 6.5" wide and the 54 is 6" wide. Are those tires G78-15 Denmans? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan O Posted September 22, 2023 Author Share Posted September 22, 2023 12 hours ago, FireballV8 said: Yes, they are the right Skylark wire wheels, the 53 would be 6.5" wide and the 54 is 6" wide. Are those tires G78-15 Denmans? They are L78-15 Coker Commanders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted September 22, 2023 Share Posted September 22, 2023 1 hour ago, Dan O said: They are L78-15 Coker Commanders. Old bias tires are fine as long as they look good and are not flat spotted, but those L78-15 Coker Commanders are horrid tires even when new. You will curse every revolution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan O Posted September 22, 2023 Author Share Posted September 22, 2023 10 minutes ago, old-tank said: Old bias tires are fine as long as they look good and are not flat spotted, but those L78-15 Coker Commanders are horrid tires even when new. You will curse every revolution. I don't know much about old bias ply tires longevity so any info is appreciated. I have some great looking old Denman Classics with no apparent tread wear I think they date from, what, the 50th week of 1993? Or 1983? So, those are reliable at 70 mph?? I use one as a spare as you see, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireballV8 Posted September 22, 2023 Share Posted September 22, 2023 Hi Dan You may want to call Coker and ask them about the date code on those specific tires. If you get the wheels, please post some pictures with them on your car. I really like the Buick wire wheels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan O Posted September 22, 2023 Author Share Posted September 22, 2023 I am not going to get them but here is a link to them on Facebook Market Place: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/871406034056224/ Seller supplied me with a lot of data besides what you see here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted September 22, 2023 Share Posted September 22, 2023 7 hours ago, Dan O said: I don't know much about old bias ply tires longevity so any info is appreciated. I have some great looking old Denman Classics with no apparent tread wear I think they date from, what, the 50th week of 1993? Or 1983? So, those are reliable at 70 mph?? I use one as a spare as you see, In my opinion i can't understand why someone would run 30+year old tires. Especially to 70 mph. If one cares not for their own safety at least think of the possible victims in the car next to you. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted September 23, 2023 Share Posted September 23, 2023 All GM big cars used 5 lug on 5 in bolt circle for years. Certainly everything after WWII when the intermediate cars came out in 1962 those were all 5 lugs on 4 3/4 bolt circle. The only exception I can think of was the Corvair was only 4 lugs from 1960-1964 and in 1965 they went to 5 lugs on 4 3/4 bc. That would mean the Cadillac design wire wheel would also fit your Buick 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan O Posted September 23, 2023 Author Share Posted September 23, 2023 15 hours ago, JohnD1956 said: In my opinion i can't understand why someone would run 30+year old tires. Especially to 70 mph. If one cares not for their own safety at least think of the possible victims in the car next to you. I did not say I wanted to run the old tires to 70 mph. I just was asking for clarification on the roadability of older bias ply tires... Harumph! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted September 23, 2023 Share Posted September 23, 2023 Realize you're no longer considering them but will just say, I'd have to see the wire wheel rims without the tires before spending near that for them. Rust could be a problem where the spokes mount to the rim. And by the way, I just mounted a set of new/20 year old tires to a set of KH for the 54 Roadmaster but as of right now it isn't running. Will change out once running. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now