Packard Forum Index » Modification Discussion

i have a 51 200 and i have a set of smoothie wheels for it. only problem is they are lug centric. i know i read some info on the topic, but i can't find it again. does anybody have any first hand experience with this. the wheels i got are wheel vintiques smoothies. one of the problems i have are the brake drum rivets and alignment pin. can i just clearance these to fit? the lug bolts are 9/16, so im not really worried about them shearing off or anything, but i would like the car to roll down the road somewhat smoothly. i had posted this in the post-war section, but i thought maybe i'd better ask the modification people instead of the stock restorers. somebody on here has to have done this, right??? its not a hot rod, street rod, or rat rod. mild custom at best. any helpful input would be appreciated.

I'm making no comment on desireability of original vs aftermarket wheels.
But lug-centric wheels are bad engineering - period. Rough calculation (5 9/16" lugs and a 3/16" thick wheel) shows several thousand psi on the lugs. Use whatever wheel you want, but shim the centers to transfer the weight to the hub for your own safety and that of others. My Packard is not on aftermarket wheels, but my daily driver is. A machined adapter plate will solve the rivet issue, but wheel offset should also be looked at in this fitment.