Gauging interest in repro 15x8 six-lug steelies!

[joeydurango]

Okay. We all know the 15x8, 6-lug, 4-nub wheels are insanely expensive right now - even for rusty wheels that've been sitting in a field for a decade. So I've been wondering why no one has made repro versions. I wondered that for long enough that I decided to make a call, and now I'm seeing how many folks might be into the idea.

If there were a reproduction steel wheel that looked like the following photo, was pre-finished in white, was 15x8, 4" backspacing, 6x5.5 lug pattern, 4-nub for disc brake and 10.25" dog dish compatibility, and cost ~$125/wheel (whew, that's a mouthful): Who all would be seriously interested?

If we can get a large enough group together, we might be able to make a case for these... so speak up!

[BLAZERMAN]

I would be, I've been looking for a set for a few years now.

[Big O]

I would be interested in getting a set and would even like the option to go a little wider in the back if we could get the right offset.

[lolife99]

These do NOT take a dog dish hub cap but they are 15x8 and cheap!
You could always add clips to these wheels like they are doing with the 22" transit wheels.

I think you would need to keep your price closer to $100 each.
Just my opinion.

[joeydurango]

It seems that most of us looking for the 6-lug wheels are intending to run the factory dog dish caps, so I think that's important. Pricing could be closer to $100/wheel, I really don't know. For the record, I'm gauging interest out of curiosity and not as a business opportunity for myself, at this point. I'm "passing the info along" so to speak - largely because I want a set, but can't see paying $125/wheel plus shipping for a used set that needs $300 in blast/PC work.

[CG]

I think they should be bare steel, not everyone wants white, and it could make the price a little more palatable

[Cooper Restorations]

They would sell, I believe. I would be a buyer for sure.

[joeydurango]

CG, noted. Maybe we could do multiple colors, or maybe the price could come down as you say.

[cleszkie]

I could be wrong, but doesn't Wheels Vintique already sell these?

[CG]

They dont have them ... yet =)

[Gromit]

I think the hubcap nubs are going to be the hardest and most expensive part of making that hydraulic press die. But a provision for hubcap clips would be okay with me too so long as the wheels arrived ready to install the hubcap or with a kit with everything needed to install the clips into the wheel.

The next most important features for me would be the hubcentric design with the reinforced lip around the hub cutout and the original lugnut profile in the wheel (which I cannot recall at the moment but I think is 7/16 ball seat or bulge acorn 60 degree taper)..

My guess is there are a lot of potential buyers who just need one wheel for a spare..

[special-K]

I think $125 is a good price, especially powder coated. What do people pay for Wheel Vintiques 5-lug? You could offer them in primer or white. I wouldn't get into color options. Let people paint them or take to be powder coated whatever color they want.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by cleszkie

I could be wrong, but doesn't Wheels Vintique already sell these?

Originally Posted by special-K

What do people pay for Wheel Vintiques 5-lug? .

Wheel Vintiques just sells a 5-lug version at this time.
Might make it worth an axle swap for the 2wd guys,...

[jocko]

Concur, fair price. Recommend ping the 60-66 crowd, this is their #1 and only choice for a stock steelie to cover disk brake conversions. That's who's hording them all At least that's when I grabbed the set I have... They are ALL 6 lug and they are ALL non-disk brake so NONE of their wheels (or even C10s thru 70) work with Disk brakes. Good idea. It seems there wouldn't be an issue with any markings (like corvettejim's awesome 60-66 a/c repops) so I'm not seeing any GM interaction required. I don't know. It's a replacement/reproduction - not sure who you'd even ask such a question. Fortune favors the bold, go for it!

[DeadheadNM]

Heck why not 16" rather than 15"? I'd be interested at 16".

[cleszkie]

What are the implications with DOT for producing a rim for use on public roads? Could getting DOT approval take a long time, cost money, etc.?

[jocko]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Heck why not 16" rather than 15"? I'd be interested at 16".

Now THAT is a great idea.

Good point on the DOT dudes - I was thinking along the lines of GM copyright and thinking not an issue - but a wheel is obviously a safety item - and would need DOT approval.

What about trying to coordinate with the folks that make the repro 5 lug steelies - those look perfectly correct, so they've clearly cracked the code for getting the patter for the center and rim profile - shouldn't be a leap to get them to do the 6 luggers - if they are shown the market, I bet they'd jump at it. There were certainly as many 6 luggers out here between 60 and 70 and then the K5/10 crowed thru the 70s to make it worth their while. They would have the DOT code cracked already though, that's why I'm suggesting.

[joeydurango]

Thanks for all the replies... I talked to Wheel Vintiques and that's one reason for this thread, is to see if they can be convinced to add a very similar wheel to some current production units in their lineup. If not, well, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

Pete, WV makes a 16" version... although I think it's only in 8-lug. An awful lot of trucks came with 15x6, but of course with modern tire choices the 8" makes more sense.

Keep the interest coming. The more we can show the better.

[Desert.Chevy]

Originally Posted by joeydurango

Thanks for all the replies... I talked to Wheel Vintiques and that's one reason for this thread, is to see if they can be convinced to add a very similar wheel to some current production units in their lineup. If not, well, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

Keep the interest coming. The more we can show the better.

I also called wheel vintiques about this time last year and asked about those and I was told No and that they were to busy with it being spring. I'm glad that this may go somewhere. I would be in for 5 wheels, I use my truck and would like a spare tire.

[joeydurango]

Jocko, we must have been typing at the same time. Everything you just said - that is exactly what I'm trying to do! I had all the same thoughts. Plus, I already have a small business to run, I don't need another...

[westong]

I'm in...sign me up for a set of 5

[powell72]

Probably having them finished in primer like their 5-lug wheels would work best and keep costs down.

[joeydurango]

Jocko, I just now re-posted this query with the 60-66 guys as well. Thanks for the suggestion. We'll see what they think!

[bill3rail]

Great idea, let's see what, if anything happens with them!
I could use a set of five as long as I could find a decent set of hub caps for them.
I suppose the caps are available aftermarket, but never looked for them.

Bill

[ASWZ71]

Any update on this? I called Stockton about getting some 16x8's six lugs made and they said 245 each plus shipping. Min backspacing they can do is 4.25-4.5. I am hoping something comes of this thread..