One of the quickest and least expensive ways to drastically alter the way your car looks is to change the wheels. When you need to get your ride looking good in a hurry, a wheel swap and lowered suspension can take it from cute to killer. The most important factors to consider when buying wheels are style, size, weight, and cost. If you are a hard-core racer, size and weight may be the most important things to consider. On the other hand, if you're building a show car, style and size may be the priorities, leaving cost low on the list. Either way, we've put together a selection of wheels that cover all these categories.
We obtained our pricing from reputable online mail-order sites, including Summit Racing and Newstalgia Wheel. In some cases, we sourced the manufacturer's website for the price. These are the prices you will actually pay, not suggested retail. We know cost depends greatly on the size, so please note that the wheel prices are a range that encompasses the smallest wheel available to the largest. The same idea applies to the weights of the wheels.
Venom
Schott Wheels
Not all of us desire a traditional look in the standard sense. People who admire the cars of the '60s but who want the modernized styling of the 21st century got what they wanted when the Big Three started bringing back muscle cars. In perfect harmony with that idea, Schott Wheels has updated the Cobra-style wheel with elegant lines and sizes to meet today's needs. Each wheel is built to order so your exact specifications are met. Their wheels are fitted with their Cover-Loc center section that encloses the lug nuts behind an aluminum housing to give it an ultra-clean look.
| Finishes: | brushed, polished, cleared, and anodized |
| Diameters: | 17-20 inch |
| Widths: | 7-15 inch |
| Backspacing: | custom |
| Bolt patterns: | custom |
| Weights: | 26-32 pounds |
| Pricing: | $800-$1,500 each |
Source:
Schott Wheels
562-598-4411
www.schottwheels.com
Pricing: www.newstalgiawheel.com
G5
Schott Wheels
The G5 wheel by Schott was born from a spoked style established early in the history of road racing. Many companies have adopted the style and made it their own. Schott's version has updated the look with a flat lip and seamless polishing. All of Schott's wheels use their special Cover-Loc system to hide the lug nuts. This wheel comes fully polished, brushed, anodized, or any combination. Sizes include all of the popular combinations from 18 to 20 inches.
| Finishes: | polished, brushed, or anodized |
| Diameters: | 18-20 inch |
| Widths: | 7-15 inch |
| Backspacing: | custom |
| Bolt patterns: | custom |
| Weights: | 24-33 pounds |
| Pricing: | $690-$1,320 |
Source:
Schott Wheels
562-598-4411
www.schottwheels.com
Pricing: www.newstalgiawheel.com
Vintage 60
Vintage Wheel Works
This style should look familiar to you. PHR's own projects Street Fighter Mustang and Fastlane Fairlane wear it. This is a wheel worn traditionally by Ford-powered race cars, including the vaunted AC Cobras. Don't worry, though, these wheels aren't just for the Ford products--they look good on just about anything. The mock knock-off centers give the car an aggressive performance look without needing to switch to spindle-mount wheels. They come with a polished lip and a cast or gray painted center.
| Finishes: | polished lip with cast or painted center |
| Diameters: | 17 inch |
| Widths: | 7-9.5, 11 inch |
| Backspacing: | 3.75, 4.5, 5, 5.5 inch |
| Bolt patterns: | 5x4.5, 5x4.75 |
| Weights: | 21-25 pounds |
| Pricing: | $280-$350 each |
Source:
Vintage Wheel Works
714-690-4700
www.vintagewheelworks.com
Pricing: www.vintagewheelworks.com
Booster
Rocket Racing Wheels
Rocket Racing's Booster wheel is a one-piece wheel that's precision crafted from A356 aluminum and treated with a one-of-a-kind two-part silver finish. This matte silver coating gives the wheel a modern, high-tech look that just can't compare to ordinary chrome or polishing. Rocket keeps all their backspacing and bolt pattern combinations in stock, and can assist you in choosing the right wheel. The Booster wheel mates a quality product with a reasonable price to make your ride really stand out. While you're at it, check out their website to see some of Rocket's other great designs, such as the Rocket Fuel style.
| Finishes: | matte silver, chrome, gray painted |
| Diameters: | 17-18 inch |
| Widths: | 7-9 inch |
| Backspacing: | 4.25, 4.5, 4.75, 5.25 inch |
| Bolt patterns: | 5x4.5, 5x4.75, 5x5 |
| Weights: | 19-23 pounds |
| Pricing: | $240-$285 each |
Source:
Rocket Racing Wheels
888-307-7525
www.rocketracingwheels.com
Pricing: www.newstalgiawheel.com
Vintage 48
Vintage Wheel Works
If you like the look of vintage Trans-Am racers, you will connect with these wheels. Since the early '60s, this wheel has been a racing staple, and has found its way onto nearly every make and model since then. This wheel is made from virgin 356 aluminum, treated to T6 factor. The backside of this wheel is fairly flat, so make sure you measure your brakes carefully before ordering. These wheels won't break the bank, and you'll give your car that classic mini-lite look. All of Vintage Wheel Works' wheels come with center cap and lug nuts standard.
| Finishes: | machined lip, media blasted center |
| Diameters: | 16-17 inch |
| Widths: | 7-9.5, 11 inch |
| Backspacing: | 3.75, 4.5, 5, 5.5 inch |
| Bolt patterns: | 5x4.5, 5x4.75 |
| Weights: | 19-25 pounds |
| Pricing: | $250-$350 each |
Source:
Vintage Wheel Works
714-690-4700
www.vintagewheelworks.com
Pricing: www.vintagewheelworks.com