I'm leaning towards biting the bullet and ordering a set of 16x8 cop car wheels from Stockton. Figured it would behoove me to check here first and figure out what other options I've missed in my research, though. I'm just looking for a simple black steel wheel in a 16" flavor (OE, cop, or?). Wheel Vintiques makes the OE and the cop car wheel, but only in 15". Did vans run the 5 x 4.5, or did they share bolt circles with 1/2 ton trucks? Did any of the New Yorkers, etc. ever come stock with 16s? I don't have a good local yard to go scrounge around it...

They will be going on a '76 Dart Swinger with BBP. Likely getting wrapped in 225/50R16 Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S. Thoughts?

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Sounds like you want Crown Vic wheels....

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

all the 16" crown vic wheels im familiar with are 7" wide. backspacing on the cop model wheels vary greatly depending on year

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64' Valiant Signet 5.9, 64' Dart 170 moredoor 3.7, 67' A100 3.7, 00' Dakota SLT 4.7

Now that's exactly the kind of info I was looking for. Thanks! I'll look into the 7" wide thing, not sure how big a deal I should make over that?

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If you plan to stick to the 225/50's the 7 in. will be fine. Anything over that I would go with a 8+ in. wide wheel.

Some of the later Crown Vic's had rack and pinion steering. The wheels look "flat" if you will. You'll want the '90's into the early 2000's models. The center caps have "Ford" stamped into them...not sure if you want those on your Mopar.

Eric, thanks for the heads up. I've been researching them, and it looks like '96-'03 is what I can use. Earlier only came in 15", and later had the wrong offset. I don't like having wheel covers, beauty rings, etc than can fall off the car, so no worries on the brand F center caps. In fact, I'm not even thrilled with running F**d parts at all. But it looks like they'll be over 50% cheaper, and function the same, so...

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Heavy wheels. If it was me I'd find a set of aluminum rims from a Mustang. I think this set only cost $200 with the tires.

I agree with Andy. Unless you need that look of the steelies, I recommend Mustang takeoff wheels.

I bought a full set of 2000 Mustang V6 wheels with centers for $200 shipped off ebay - 16X7.5", 16.5 lbs/whl, simple 5 spoke. You may need a bit of spacer to get correct offset.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Andy, those Bullits look pretty good on there! What size spacers did/do you need, and what size tires do you run?

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Scott - waywardgarage.com
Why is the rum always gone?

No spacers, the wheels bolt right on. Of couse, it isn't quite that simple but it is true, no spacers.

The tires in the picture are 245/50 but for track time the car runs 275/40-17 at all four corners on 17x9 rims. Once again, no spacers for the 17x9 rims either.

The car has a B body rearend in it and custom front hubs so spacers aren't required. Front brakes are 13x1.250 rotor. The car goes 150+ mph on a road race track so money has been spent on upgrades.

Here is a picture with the 17x9 rims mounted up with the 275 tires. Probably can't see it in the picture but those front emblems say 427. The car has a 427 inch small block Mopar engine in it.

Andy, beautiful car, and good advice. Both those sets of wheels look great on that car. For some odd reason, I just love the look of plain black steelies (heavy as they are)... But food for thought, for sure.

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It would be simple to paint the cheap Mustant 16X7.5 V6 rims black... Just a thought.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988