Hello everyone,

I have a 51 f1 that has been converted to front and rear discs with a 5x4.5 bolt pattern. I am looking for a steel or aluminum wheel that is powder coated or painted red (I can have this done if it doesnt already exist) that will take the chrome center cap and trim ring. The center cap I am picturing in my brain is like a shallow bowl that snaps over all of the lugs and could either have the Ford logo or V8 or even plain. I would like to find these in 17" since I already have a good set of tires but I think I can go as small as 15" with the calipers.

Thanks in advance, Dave

 

That sounds like a pretty tough find because of the center cap. I think your best option may be wheels from a crown Vic police interceptor since they are the normal steel tire that you would powdercoat but they also allow for the center cap. I don't have a pic since I'm on my phone but just look at any cop car.

 

something like page 7 or 9:

Products | Wheel Vintiques

 

Here is a couple from Coker Tire and you can see how the price jumps....

16x6 cost $123
Hot Rod Steel - 16x6 Primed - Steel Wheels - Wheels

17x6 cost $265
Hot Rod Steel - 17x6 Bare - Street & Hot Rod Wheels - Wheels

 

Maybe I didnt describe my idea very clearly in the first post. I am looking for a basic smoothie wheel with the chrome beauty ring and round dish style center cap. I know these come in steel and maybe aluminum. I would rather have steel so it can be painted easier. They dont have to be 17" but thats what I would like. The ones in Coker tire look about right but by the time you add the ring and center its like $300 per wheel. I didnt think they would be that expensive but I guess I was wrong!

 

From both your 1st description and your second I would still point you to the same place Moe did - the hot rod steel from coker. I got the 16x6 with dual 5 on 5 and 5 on 5 1/2. (I stayed 5 on 5 1/2 stock drivetrain).

You are gonna pay pretty hard for shipping, so if you can wait to have them arranged to do a swap meet pickup it is worth it.

Also if you are wanting them powder coated you should order them bare, and then setup to get em coated right away as soon as they are delivered. The coating place I went to wanted em blasted down to bare metal.
I got the "baby moon" hubcaps from Coker with em. I am happy with the thickness (all modern are thinner, but these were decent and I didn't dent em putting em on) and the fit (caps are tight - not gonna lose them right away).

 

Their both from Coker one was a 16" and the other was a 17"