Restored 1969 Shelby Wheel

[eric lipper]

I have four very nicely restored 1969 Shelby Wheels but one of them has a crack next to one, and maybe two, of the rivets that you can only see when I wear my glasses.  The wheel still looks great for a show but as I drive the car very slowly down my driveway every time it rotates I hear a click that sounds like a rock in the tread which is that I thought it was at first. 

By replacing the wheel with one from my 1967 Shelby I have determined that the problem is with that particular wheel.  The car now operates normally but is too nice of a car to not have the right wheels on it.

So, long story short, I really want one restored wheel so if any of you know of one restored OEM wheel let me know; otherwise, I guess it is the best plan will probably be to head off to Paradise Wheel for a reproduction set and put my originals away in the parts room.  If your wheel needs restoration that would be alright but my preference would be for one that I could just install right away. 

There are a few options out there on ebay but they are sets of four.

Let me know if any of you have one wheel that you want to part with. 

[johnzajc@gmail.com]

Hi---I was lucky and got 4 very nice rims from Bob Gains--however 2 of them had cracks Bob showed me--We have local restoration shop specializing in rims repairs---they did all the welding , grinding and repolishing to point where you swear that are brand new, and it cost me less--- than $ 250 including taxes---GREENS AUTOMOTIVE in Richmond BC

[Bob Gaines]

I have four very nicely restored 1969 Shelby Wheels but one of them has a crack next to one, and maybe two, of the rivets that you can only see when I wear my glasses.  The wheel still looks great for a show but as I drive the car very slowly down my driveway every time it rotates I hear a click that sounds like a rock in the tread which is that I thought it was at first. 

By replacing the wheel with one from my 1967 Shelby I have determined that the problem is with that particular wheel.  The car now operates normally but is too nice of a car to not have the right wheels on it.

So, long story short, I really want one restored wheel so if any of you know of one restored OEM wheel let me know; otherwise, I guess it is the best plan will probably be to head off to Paradise Wheel for a reproduction set and put my originals away in the parts room.  If your wheel needs restoration that would be alright but my preference would be for one that I could just install right away. 

There are a few options out there on ebay but they are sets of four.

Let me know if any of you have one wheel that you want to part with.

Contact forum member johnzajc@gmail.com  . Here has had success with a company to repair that exact problem.

[johnzajc@gmail.com]

However I did not mentioned that Bob did supply donor center cap that shop was able to use on one of the rims---taking in account purchase price repair and shipping cost I was offered more than 3 x what I spend on them, thus I think it is absolutely worth to restore original----Bob Perkings quote---"NOTHING BITS ORIGINAL"

[JohnHouston]

Here is a single wheel, by Paradise.  No affiliation, or knowledge as to how correct these are, or, on a Monday, much other wisdom.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-1970-Shelby-Mustang-GT-350-GT-500-5-spoke-wheels-15-x-7-and-15-x-8/333265596629?hash=item4d982d70d5:g:Vm4AAMXQjWtRIZkr

Good luck,
John Dillman

[Bob Gaines]

Here is a single wheel, by Paradise.  No affiliation, or knowledge as to how correct these are, or, on a Monday, much other wisdom.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-1970-Shelby-Mustang-GT-350-GT-500-5-spoke-wheels-15-x-7-and-15-x-8/333265596629?hash=item4d982d70d5:g:Vm4AAMXQjWtRIZkr

Good luck,
John Dillman

Beautiful wheel however the compromise from a historical standpoint is that wheel has the center welded to the rim. Original wheels used rivets. It is a choice which depends on what your expectations are. If on a nice driver car then i wouldn't sweat the detail. On the other hand and if wanting a correct from the factory car that detail is visible one and most knowledgeable enthusiast appreciate the correct way. If all four are nice with the exception of the small crack in the one I would strongly suggest getting it fixed given John Z. had a good experience. Use his guy. Just my opinion others may have different.

[eric lipper]

Thanks for the info guys.  As it turns out Jim Cowles had another wheel on his shelf that he is selling to me for a fair price so I may have an extra, albeit cracked, wheel.  It is crazy that the center must be moving independently of the rim because it sounds like a rock in the tire each rotation.