Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

By 55 400 is equipped with wire wheels I would like to know who was the manufacturer that provided wheels for Packard in 1955
Thanks

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Motor Wheel Corporation, a very long time supplier of wheels to Packard, back at least to the early 1930's if not earlier. The name is stamped into the wheel gutter, photo courtesy of Randy Berger.

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As Owen said, Motor Wheel Company was supplier of original postwar wire wheels to Packards starting in 1953. Until recent years it was quite rare to see wires on any 1950s Packards-especially V8s since they were expensive when new and few people ordered them. However, since the introduction of reproduced wire wheels, it is almost a common sight now to see a postwar Packard equipped with wire wheels. There are presently far more post-WWII packards running around now with wires than there ever were when new.

Repop wires are slightly different and some have stainless spokes. Of course the center hub covers are painted instead of using the original reflective Scotchlite red hexagons.

At one time, not too long ago you could purchase the scotchlite red hexs - can't remember who was selling them.

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PAC Store lists 3 sizes

Thank you Howard!

Yes, repro wires are very prevalent these days, but we have been buying 53-56 Packards for almost 60 years. We have never bought a car with modern repro wire wheels and the vast majority, I'd say 90% of the 53-56 cars we've bought with orig wires were 55-56's... Many were 55-56 Carib convertibles others were mostly 400's.


We scrapped many cars with wire wheels and a good number of 56 Carib hardtops with the infamous "see through" disappeared top

My 56 Patrician came from the factory with wire wheels, but they were gone when I purchased the car. Car was ordered by a dealer for himself and he had it loaded.

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This discussion prompted me to take a closer look at the wire wheels with came with my 1956 Clipper Deluxe. Of course, these Junior cars never came with the factory option of wire wheels. It sounds like they were a fairly expensive option for the other 1950s Senior cars (except for Caribbeans?). The junior cars had different wheel stud spacing than seniors, so the factory (or repro) Packard wire wheels are not interchangeable. Mine were made to fit by welding Ford centres into the hubs (which have the same stud spacing as the junior cars). Quite a workmanlike job but obviously not original.

No sign of the Motor Wheel stamping on my rims, so they are presumably repros. The spokes are chrome plated steel - unlike many current repros. Maybe not a bad thing, given the reputation of stainless spokes. Although these ones are prone to corrosion. The hub covers are presumably also repros but look right. They are more like the "flat" profile in the picture.

These wheels were acquired and modified by a previous owner. They are at least 30 years old, and no idea where they came from.

Notwithstanding all of the above, I think that wire wheels improve the rather staid appearance of most 1950s Packards, which helps to explain their current popularity. Yes, they're wrong for my Clipper but they do look good so what the heck!

Brian

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