MTFCA Forum

Posted: **Fri Oct 13, 2023 12:16 pm**

Which wheels do you prefer on a brass speedster, demountable wood or 27 wire wheel type. Yes I know either are correct for a brass car but I am going for looks and smiles plus a have a full set of each and I am going to get rid of one or the other. So, tell me what you think.
Thanks
Dino

Posted: **Fri Oct 13, 2023 12:23 pm**

Personally, I would go with the 26/27 wire wheels if you have the hubs to go with them. While wood would look more antique, the wires would maybe look more sporty.

Posted: **Fri Oct 13, 2023 12:30 pm**

Mark Gregush wrote: ↑
Fri Oct 13, 2023 12:23 pm
Personally, I would go with the 26/27 wire wheels if you have the hubs to go with them. While wood would look more antique, the wires would maybe look more sporty.

Thanks Mark

Posted: **Fri Oct 13, 2023 12:40 pm**

There is a man in my area that has a gorgeous 1913 touring. But he has Ford 21” wire wheels on it and I just can’t look at it. Why don’t you install 1 year only 16” - 1935 Ford wires ? Of course 21” wire wheels aren’t correct for a brass T. Go ahead and spend $5 K on correct repop wires.

Posted: **Fri Oct 13, 2023 12:46 pm**

For a speedster I would use the wires. The wire wheels are stronger then wood, and although the speedster is likely lighter then a full-bodied T, I think that it might be driven a bit harder. I much prefer wood wheels on a "normal" T, but this time I think that wires are safer.

Posted: **Fri Oct 13, 2023 12:54 pm**

It may depend on your speedster style.
--
2 bucket seats, no body, fenders & brass - look mostly wood. No fenders, streamlined look - wire wheels
https://www.google.com/search?q=speedst ... AXoECAEQAw

Posted: **Fri Oct 13, 2023 3:10 pm**

Since you asked... My personal feelings are that I really don't like 26/27 wires on a brass car. Period, aftermarket wire wheels however can look very nice.

Posted: **Fri Oct 13, 2023 3:17 pm**

Dino,
I agree with Jerry.
I like the wire wheels, but a 21x4.4/5 wire wheel has too much tire for a brass era speedster.
There are lots of options out there. Pasco, Hayes, Buffalo, Bud...

These 30x3-1/2 Hayes demountables are surplus to my needs.

Let me know if you are interested...

Posted: **Fri Oct 13, 2023 5:30 pm**

No question about it. Skinny tires tall wheels/tires. Strength of the wheels not an issue. Make it look like the era it represents.

Ed aka #4

Posted: **Fri Oct 13, 2023 5:54 pm**

KWTownsend wrote: ↑
Fri Oct 13, 2023 3:17 pm
Dino,
I agree with Jerry.
I like the wire wheels, but a 21x4.4/5 wire wheel has too much tire for a brass era speedster.
There are lots of options out there. Pasco, Hayes, Buffalo, Bud...

These 30x3-1/2 Hayes demountables are surplus to my needs.

20211107_111638.jpg

Let me know if you are interested... boy those are really nice

Posted: **Fri Oct 13, 2023 6:22 pm**

I'm kinda partial to disc wheels !

Posted: **Fri Oct 13, 2023 6:28 pm**

Is the assertion that wire wheels are stronger than wood wheels opinion or fact? Either are certainly up to the job on a speedster.

Allan from down under.

Posted: **Fri Oct 13, 2023 6:52 pm**

McLarens are awesome!

Posted: **Fri Oct 13, 2023 7:56 pm**

They look fine and are perhaps stronger than the wood wheels, however, I hate to see someone use those on any car other than a 26-27, The original wire wheels were only used for two years and someone restoring a 26-27 can have a hard time finding a good set. Since it is a speedster, any wheels available during the T era is acceptable.
Norm

Posted: **Fri Oct 13, 2023 8:37 pm**

Adam, nice speedster, I like Cape Neddick Lighthouse in the background York Maine.

Posted: **Fri Oct 13, 2023 9:16 pm**

"Disqueals"

Posted: **Sat Oct 14, 2023 1:54 am**

TXGOAT2 wrote: ↑
Fri Oct 13, 2023 9:16 pm
"Disqueals"

Didn't know you knew French

Need to update the spelling checker

Posted: **Sat Oct 14, 2023 5:24 am**

My preference is the period correct after market wire wheels or disc wheels. Unless the wood spoked wheels have been rebuilt, the original ones become brittle and the wood will shrink with age, making them unsafe.

Posted: **Sat Oct 14, 2023 10:43 am**

Allan wrote: ↑
Fri Oct 13, 2023 6:28 pm
Is the assertion that wire wheels are stronger than wood wheels opinion or fact? Either are certainly up to the job on a speedster.

Allan from down under.

I'm taking it as fact. There was an article a while back in Vintage Ford (I think) about just that subject.

Posted: **Sat Oct 14, 2023 11:26 am**

dinosbunny wrote: ↑
Fri Oct 13, 2023 12:16 pm
Which wheels do you prefer on a brass speedster, demountable wood or 27 wire wheel type. Yes I know either are correct for a brass car but I am going for looks and smiles plus a have a full set of each and I am going to get rid of one or the other. So, tell me what you think.
Thanks
Dino

Given only a choice between the 2 you have, I would run the wood wheels.
Paint the demountable rims black to help hide the demountablness feature.
26-7 wires look cheap on a brass radiator car.

Posted: **Sat Oct 14, 2023 11:37 am**

If there is someone restoring a 1926-27 T that needs a set of 21” Ford wires, I will gladly trade mine for a set of Mclaren, Buffalo, or Pasco wire wheels!

Posted: **Sat Oct 14, 2023 11:46 am**

Hi Dino,
Personaly I like wires on a speedster. Stronger in corners. Speedsrter( sport, speed or race car) has little to do with originality & a lot to do with
fun. But if you do use the wires check them closely for cracks as they do crack! I personaly like 21" Model A wheels the adapters & 5 A wheels are
about half the price of a set of 5 T wires & hubs & I think they are much stronger. IMHO
Ed, I bet you would

Craig.

Posted: **Sat Oct 14, 2023 12:20 pm**

Altas Wheel Co. (a.k.a. PG&E wheels) made accessory steel spoked wheels that give you the look wood spokes. They also have a demountable rim which make roadside tire fixes quick and easy. I have a set on my speedster and really like them. Not the easiest wheel to find, but sets do come available from time to time.

Posted: **Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:37 pm**

26/27 wires are just wrong on a brass era car.

Given the options wood is the proper choice and with luck you will find in the future aftermarket period or more correct wood. If you want brass keep it era correct.

Posted: **Sat Oct 14, 2023 6:00 pm**

I like my speedsters fairly close to era correct! My 1913 speedster has the two sizes non-demountable round felloe wheels on it, wheels painted dark blue like an early 1913.
I did have one speedster a few years back that had 21 inch model A wire wheels on it. That was only because I bought a pile of model T parts that had a set of hubs made up for the model A wheels. One of the fronts needed repair, but otherwise they looked good. I had a speedster I was trying to put together quickly, and used them. I turned around and sold the car a bit later.
It was funny when I first read this thread, I got down to the group of photos of various speedsters, and my model A wire wheel car is in that group!

Posted: **Sat Oct 14, 2023 7:53 pm**

Personally, I would not use Model A wheels with adapters unless they support the wheel correctly. Many adapters do not do that.

Posted: **Sat Oct 14, 2023 11:00 pm**

Mark is correct about the adapters not mounting the A wheels correctly they mount the wheel the same as the T wheels are mounted. The A wheels are just stronger than T wheels are that is why the T wheels crack in the fist place is they are not supported correctly.
Craig.

Posted: **Mon Oct 16, 2023 8:32 am**

Given the binary choice you have, I suggested painting the demount-able rims black.
Here is a great example. @ 20 feet you barely notice the wheels are later incorrect to the car.

: 14 touring

Posted: **Tue Oct 17, 2023 7:43 am**

Why not do both ? And period correct too

Posted: **Wed Oct 18, 2023 6:39 pm**

Surprised no one posted a picture of Humble Howard Genrich's white spoke wheels!

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