palbuick Posted January 26, 2002 Share Posted January 26, 2002 Thats how the Century got the HOT Rod name,<BR>15 inch wheels made it go faster. The 39 & 40 Century wheels are the same, and very hard to find a good set.<P>JIm Schilf /palbuick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 26, 2002 Share Posted January 26, 2002 There is a 38 Century wheel listed on E-bay now...is it the same as 39? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 26, 2002 Share Posted January 26, 2002 The 15 inch wheels would make them accelerate faster(like a hot rod), but cruise slower. With small wheels it takes more engine revolutions to go a set distance.<P>Century's (series 60) have a standard 3.9 ratio diff (3.62 optional) <BR>Special's (series 40) have a standard 4.44 ratio diff (3.9 optional)<P>Century's with 3.90 diff & 15 inch wheels do 2788 RPM @ 50 mph<BR>Specials with 4.44 diff& 16 inch wheels do 3198 RPM @ 50 mph<P>For all that, given the gearing, power of the 320 ci and weight makes them a hot rod (by 1930's standards)<p>[ 01-26-2002: Message edited by: 1939_Buick ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 27, 2002 Share Posted January 27, 2002 Its funny that stylists went to 14inch wheels in the 60's because they thought they looked better. Nowadays the bigger the better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 27, 2002 Share Posted January 27, 2002 Why is it that they used 15" wheels on the 39 Century, But the smaller and larger cars all use 16" wheels? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 27, 2002 Share Posted January 27, 2002 They may be bigger rims, but the tyre height (profile)is low.<P>The overall daimeter on modern rims and with low profile tyres is not much differnt than and old 14" rim with a 1970's tyre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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