Dual sidemount rim color?

[Only Buicks]

I am restoring a 38 Special with dual sidemounts. The car is black and the rims are red. What color should the rims be on the tires which will be used on the sidemounts, black or red?

Thanks.

[Glassesguy]

Glenn:

Don't know for sure what the factory did. I'd bet the rims were body color. In any case, I'd personally paint the rims red with the appropriate striping as you did the others. This would allow you some flexibility for tire rotation if you plan to be driving the car a lot.I assume you'll have the sidemount covers in place, so if judging is a concern, judges would have no reason to pull off the covers. We both know those covers won't stay in place without a tire and rim in there, so there would be no question that the six wheel equipped car does indeed have six wheels and tires in place. Sure hope you'll post some more pictures of your progress.

[Only Buicks]

Dave,

The wheel covers cover the complete tire and rim except for the rear of the rim which is quite ugly and can be seen if you are standing at the front of the car. I thought the red would look neat against the black paint so I painted one of them red and loaded it onto the car. I looks like a bright red sore thumb. I am now thinking that black would have a tendancy to blend in with the exterior of the car better but would really like to do it by the book (if there is one). Who is the head judge for the BCA, maybe I will ask his input.

I'll post another pic tonight with this weekend progress. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Glenn

[Guest imported_Thriller]

Here's the BCA Judging Manual - http://www.buickclub.org/BCA%20JUDGING%20MANUAL/BCAjudgingrev2.pdf - it's a rather large PDF.

[Glassesguy]

Glenn:

I forgot that little detail about the back of the rim showing as the covers do not totally cover it. My very original 39 Special wheels have no body color on the back side..just the outer side and this includes the spare which has been used some time in the past as its backside was dirty as well. The Judging manual is not clear on this for the prewar cars. My 65 Lesabre has a low gloss gray on the inner wheels with a low gloss black on the outer side which does correspond to the Judging Manual guidelines. I confess my lack of chassis judging experience is showing here; however, my impression over the years is that it has been acceptable to use a Chassis black on most underside components including frames, axles, suspension components, brake backing plates, inner wheels, under side of floor pans, and inner fenders whether or not a factory finish was ever originally applied. These original finishes wore off quickly under use and were never really intended for long tern durability..just enough to hold off the rust to get the car out the door, sold, and maybe look nice for a year. Seems to me which ever way you go should be acceptable. Alan Oldfield is listed as new Chief Judge in the Bugle. Keep those pics coming.

[Nick_S]

red wheels.