Re: Wire wheels

Posted by Randy Berger On 2013/11/18 20:16:33

Packard wire wheels #446280 were: mfd by Motor Wheel
dealer net 53.40 5=267.00
list ------- 89.00 5=445.00
trade net- 66.75 5=333.75

Dayton Wire Wheel charges $650.00 to rebuild/rechrome and true (.020) your Packard wire wheels. That's $3250.00 for all five. They do a superior job. Vintage Wire Wheel charged $450.00 a wheel back in the mid-90s. Neither cost includes shipping (out and back).
Vintage used stainless nipples as well as spokes.
Dayton does not use stainless nipples claiming they will seize on the stainless spokes. Not being a metallurgist I take them at their word.
Motor Wheel wires contain 52 spokes.
On the long spokes the right-most spoke goes OVER the left.
On the short spokes the left-most spoke goes OVER the right.
I have one original untouched wire wheel if anyone needs a picture. They are a PITA to clean.
Modern brake shoes create a lot of dust which will eat into the chrome and also soil your white walls in a very short time. I run asbestos on the front but have found no good substitute for the rear lining.