Which brand and type of Magnum 500?

[JamesS]

Hello all, some of these wheels take 4 weeks to supply, so I may need to decide well in advance. American Racing is making two piece alloys and vintique wheels is making chrome steel. The alloys are about $500 a set more expensive. I'm looking at a set of 15 x 7 and 8 rims and hopefully some tyres with a decent tread pattern.

There might be other manufacturers I haven't seen.

What do you all recommend? There seems to be a bit of wisdom in alloy ( unsprung weight and no rust). But I'd like your advice.

For example if you can't fit repro centre caps to the AR alloys, that would not be cool.

Would anyone go as far as fitting 8 and 9s with 235/255 tyres? I don't want rubbing.

Thanks in advance,

James

 

[luxstang]

You can easily fit a 255/60/15 on either a 7 or 8 inch wide rim both on the front and the rear wheels.

I have a spare set of those tires on the original 15x7s and a friend of mine has the same tires on 15x8 rims and we both have no issues with rubbing the fenders.

If I were you, I'd go with 15x8 instead of 15x7. It's not original but it fills the wheel wells much better.

 

[Don65Stang]

James,

Mike has done extensive wheel size research and testing on his own car. If he says the 15x8 wheels with 255/60 tires will fit with no problems then that info is good to go.

 

[caspianwendell]

You can easily fit a 255/60/15 on either a 7 or 8 inch wide rim both on the front and the rear wheels.

I have a spare set of those tires on the original 15x7s and a friend of mine has the same tires on 15x8 rims and we both have no issues with rubbing the fenders.

If I were you, I'd go with 15x8 instead of 15x7. It's not original but it fills the wheel wells much better.

Do you have a pic of them on your car for observation?

 

[luxstang]

Typing in my phone right now. Yes I have pics. I'll post them when I get on my computer. That might take a day.

I forgot one thing: they do rub on the driver side frame when you turn the wheels all the way to the left.

The reason why I forgot that is that this is a very common problem with our cars and many rub there even with their original tire sizes so it really makes no difference. You never feel it and it only happens at very low speeds when maneuvering the car like backing out of a parking space or such.

 

[luxstang]

Ok, I got on the computer sooner than I thought.

Here are some pics:

First my friends 71 coupe with 255/60/15 on 15x8 Magnums:



Here's mine with 255/60/15 on 15x7 Torq Thrusts: I love that kinda "vintage Trans Am Race" like bulge the tires make here.

And finally with 235/60/15 on the front and 255/60/15 on the rear ( that was before the car was restored so don't look too close. )



I have currently 255/60/15 on my 15x7 Magnums for all 4 but they are not on the car. I only use them to satisfy inspection requirements every two years.

Oh, by the way, my car is lowered a lot. It has the Mustangs Unlimited one inch shorter 620 lbs coils (the blue ones) that have had one complete turn cut off on top of that. Still no rubbing on the fenders. (not much room left there though)

Bottom line is: If you're going Magnums and you don't necessarily have to stay all original I'd go with nothing narrower than 15x8. Those large wheelswells want to be filled.

For the rear wheels you can also go with a 15x10. That will look completely badass.

I have a 18x10 now with 285/40/18 and no issues whatsoever.

 

[JamesS]

Thanks Luxstang, that satisfies me size wise.

Anyone got any comments about which chrome ones are good/not to buy?

 

[luxstang]

that satisfies me size wise.

Yeah, I get that a lot.

 

[Don65Stang]

that satisfies me size wise.

Yeah, I get that a lot.

:udaman:

 

[Austin Vert]

Bottom line is: If you're going Magnums and you don't necessarily have to stay all original I'd go with nothing narrower than 15x8. Those large wheelswells want to be filled.

For the rear wheels you can also go with a 15x10. That will look completely badass.

I have a 18x10 now with 285/40/18 and no issues whatsoever.

Hi Mike (Big Boy),

Just wanted to let you know that Glory shot with the old school rubber and rims looks reeeeeeaaaaaal sexy!

Just the knockout look you need when pulling up at the front entrance of your Luxembourg Castle.!



Speaking of which, check out my glory shot with the badass 10x15's and the 295/50 thumpers!!

There's no school like the old school!



Old Chinese proverb - The bigger your ride, the smaller your tackle!rofl

Greg.

Thanks Luxstang, that satisfies me size wise.

Anyone got any comments about which chrome ones are good/not to buy?

Hi James,

I bought from Speciality Wheels America. I would say their wheels are fairly good quality, but i've had issues with quality of chrome finish, and mild surface rush appearing after one year of purchase on a couple of the wheels. The company was more than happy to replace the affected rims at their expense completely with new stock.I'M HAPPY NOW WITH WHAT I'VE GOT.

http://www.specialtywheel.com/

There are other American companies who sell the Magnums, but i can't give advice as i've had no experience with their products i'm sorry.Maybe other forum members could help there.

BTW - If you go chrome Magnums, try your best to keep any brake dust off the chrome at all times. If you leave it on, it will eat your chrome away fairly fast. A good wax paste or metal polish is good for preventitive care.

Hope that helps,

Greg.

 

[luxstang]

Those tens on yours look really cool.

My 18 inch rims are 10 wide too. Unfortunately, due to the modern offset, that deep dish look is kinda lost.

I liked the big rubber on the torq thrusts but I had to get rid of the tires. The only tires in that size available here are those Coopers and driving them in the rain is nothing less than suicidal. I remember a few years ago I was going less than 30 km/h in a turn and the car simply went straight ahead, despite all my steering and skidded right into the trajectory of an oncoming bus. The driver hit the brakes otherwise I would have hit him head on.

Unfortunately it rains here quite often and I don't wanna get caught in the rain with those tires.

After I tried the 18 inch rims, I decided I liked the restomod look and lowered the car further to go with the style.

The Coopers are going on the car only every two years. I drive the car to the inspection, everybody is happy and I drive back home and put the 18s on again.

If I go down with that car it will be in style, with a bang, not skidding off the road in the rain like a beginner.

 

[Austin Vert]

Those tens on yours look really cool.

My 18 inch rims are 10 wide too. Unfortunately, due to the modern offset, that deep dish look is kinda lost.

I liked the big rubber on the torq thrusts but I had to get rid of the tires. The only tires in that size available here are those Coopers and driving them in the rain is nothing less than suicidal. I remember a few years ago I was going less than 30 km/h in a turn and the car simply went straight ahead, despite all my steering and skidded right into the trajectory of an oncoming bus. The driver hit the brakes otherwise I would have hit him head on.

Unfortunately it rains here quite often and I don't wanna get caught in the rain with those tires.

After I tried the 18 inch rims, I decided I liked the restomod look and lowered the car further to go with the style.

The Coopers are going on the car only every two years. I drive the car to the inspection, everybody is happy and I drive back home and put the 18s on again.

If I go down with that car it will be in style, with a bang, not skidding off the road in the rain like a beginner.

Mike,

Thanks for the nod of approval on the big meat!

I've never run Cooper tyres, so i can't comment on performance issues as such.However, you surprise me, because i wouldn't have thought that they would be that slippery and deadly in the wet as you describe.

My Mastercrafts hang on pretty well in the wet. I can see why you would not be using them as your everyday driver tyres.

Greg.

 

[Wolverine]

"Thanks Luxstang, that satisfies me size wise."

Ha Ha Ha Ha HA HA HA HA.....HA HA!!!!

 

[Austin Vert]

"Thanks Luxstang, that satisfies me size wise."

Ha Ha Ha Ha HA HA HA HA.....HA HA!!!!

Hello!!

Sir James Wolverine the Third!

Where hast thou been of late my Lord???

BTW - I didn't realise there was a size playoff between you two imfamous characters!

Greg.

 

[luxstang]

BTW - I didn't realise there was a size playoff between you two imfamous characters!

Greg.

It's not an actual competition. I simply let him tag along behind me and learn.