Why 15" wheels on 1939 Century

[palbuick]

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

[Guest]

There is a 38 Century wheel listed on E-bay now...is it the same as 39?

[Guest]

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 ]

[Guest]

Its funny that stylists went to 14inch wheels in the 60's because they thought they looked better. Nowadays the bigger the better.

[Guest]

Why is it that they used 15" wheels on the 39 Century, But the smaller and larger cars all use 16" wheels?

[Guest]

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.