Stock Wheels

[Kappy]

I'm trying to decide whether to commit to putting on stock wheels on my 73 GT. I've been reading all the threads and the general opinion appears to recommend moving up to sizes 14 or 15. The car currently has two 73 GTwheels on it that will need to be completely done over. I live in the Northeast and don't plan on driving the car more than 3,000 miles a year.
If I go stock, does anyone know the exact colors to order? Also, your thoughts on the best size for the 13" would be helpful (I know there are 175 and 185's locally). I've never "refurbished" a wheel so I would appreciate any recommendations (I'd like to do it myself, if possible). I have four trim rings but will need to purchase two more wheels and four center caps.
One final request - if anyone thinks I'm making a large "mistake" by going 13", please share your opinion.

Thank you,

Kappy

[MICAH1]

Kappy,
I have size 205 60 13 on my wheels. I think more that a few people from this site are running the same.....

[BQS4]

Nothing wrong with staying with 13" tires. It's when you go wider than a 70 series that tires get hard to find. You can refurbish the wheels yourself by going to sites like Eastwood Company: Auto Tools, Body Repair, Classic Car Restoration, House of Kolor Paint, Powder Coating and getting their paints. The stock rally wheels were an argent gray or silver with black inserts. The center caps are no being reproduced new at Web Sites Computers Digital Cameras HDTV Networking PC Data VOIP for about $90 for a set of 4. They some time show up on Ebay

[BQS4]

My bad on the center caps link, it's REPROTEC Startseite

[roundl]

Hey Kappy,

Where in MA are you located? I'm in Douglas. I have the original Kadett wheels that I sanded using a scotchbrite wheel on a drill and repainted using blach wheels spray paint. They came out decent. I just picked up a set of 13" BMW wheels that gave bigger openings and look a little "Racier" for the Kadett. I plan on having them media blasted and I'll repaint them silver using Eastwood paint. Refinishing isn't difficult. Just take your time on preparation and the end result will turn out great. The OEM Kadett steel wheel have basic 165/13 tires. The BMW wheels will have wider tires with better grip

paul

[gtblast]

Kappy,
I have size 205 60 13 on my wheels. I think more that a few people from this site are running the same.....

I don't have a GT yet, but I really like those alloy wheels. Where did you get them? I am in Maryland also, and looking for a decent 70 GT project if you know of any
Fred

[73Manta72gt]

I had my 13 inch rims sandblasted and then primed with a zinc primer and Duplicolor spray paint from a auto parts store. I like the stock look of the wheels. I use 185/70/13 tires.

[MICAH1]

Hello GTBlast (Fred),
Got the wheels from a guy on this site (OpenDean). He brought them from Kansas City in 2005 when he made our annual pilgrimage to Carlisle, Pa. I did not make that trip so he handed them over to another cool guy from this site named Gene (BQS4) who drove to Carlisle from Atlanta. Gene then took the wheels back down to Atlanta where he packed, boxed, and shipped them back up to me here in Maryland. I mean is that cool or what. Man the last time I felt so close to a group of people was when I was beating the bush in a small country called Viet Nam.

Its like Sly Stone said, "It's A Family Affair"

Hey Fred, where do YOU live in Maryland?????

[Aardvaark]

Don't know if this is of any interest, but you can buy 13x5.5 black steel wheels new with 4.125 backset for $49ea. from Discount Tire Direct, and pick
up a little width.
Here is a link for the list of available sizes in 4-100 Bolt pattern.
13x5.5, 14x5.5, 15x6. in black steel and 14x5.5 and 15x6 in chrome.
These backspaces fit the Manta/Ascona fine but not sure about the GT/Kadett.
Series 83 and 84:
Unique Wheel - Quality Steel Wheels for Automobiles and Trucks
Click on the details link for dimensions. Heavier then mags but cheaper too.

[gtblast]

Hello GTBlast (Fred),
Got the wheels from a guy on this site (OpenDean). He brought them from Kansas City in 2005 when he made our annual pilgrimage to Carlisle, Pa. I did not make that trip so he handed them over to another cool guy from this site named Gene (BQS4) who drove to Carlisle from Atlanta. Gene then took the wheels back down to Atlanta where he packed, boxed, and shipped them back up to me here in Maryland. I mean is that cool or what. Man the last time I felt so close to a group of people was when I was beating the bush in a small country called Viet Nam.

Its like Sly Stone said, "It's A Family Affair"

Hey Fred, where do YOU live in Maryland?????

Man, that is a great story on the wheels!! Yes, I have met some very nice people in just the short time I have been on this Forum. I have seen several 70 GT's with those type wheels and I really like them. I am in Ijamsville Maryland, just a bit south east of Frederick. I have had a couple of GT's recently, but too much rust for me so I sold them. So I am still looking, prefer a 70. I am from the Viet Nam era also, but never made it over there. My hat is off to you my friend.

[lezliewk]

I have ARE 5 spoke wheel on one of my GT's,The one I am now restoring is going to get the stock one I used rustolum MATT SILVER. I forget the #, but they look great on them. I have a picture in my photo album of them.

[opelenvy]

Kappy, are you wanting to stay bone stock, or do you just like the look of the 73 wheels? If it's just the look, then I would recommend using some '75 wheels. The look VERY similar and are 5.5" as opposed to 5". I put some on mine for a short time and they looked good.
The 75 Wheels on the GT. - Opel Photo Gallery

[jvandyke]

Kappy, are you wanting to stay bone stock, or do you just like the look of the 73 wheels? If it's just the look, then I would recommend using some '75 wheels. The look VERY similar and are 5.5" as opposed to 5". I put some on mine for a short time and they looked good.
The 75 Wheels on the GT. - Opel Photo Gallery

Is your GT lowered a bit?
What about ride? Bigger rims with lower profile tires would ride a bit harsher then the opposite no? I've got 15" and am hoping to someday go back to 13", not for the diameter so much as for wider and better fit on the body kit. I'm hoping that the 13" with more sidewall will smooth out the ride a bit.

[Bill Hoffmann]

I took a look at that Unique Wheel site. I like the black steel look, but I think there are better options out there. The price is right, though.

PART NUMBER SIZE CIRLCE OFFSET BACKSIDE WT. BORE LOAD RATING

83-3510 1325644017B 13x5.5 4-100 +22 4 1/8" 18 72.0000 1200 This one would fit but wouldn't be much different from stock (they would stick out a little more). You could get a similar effect with a set of GT rims, or better yet go with a set of '75 rims which are 5.5" wide (vs. 5" on pre-'75 Mantas).
83-4441 1425702017B 14x5.5 4-100/4.50 +35 4 5/8" 21 72.0000 1200 This would fit but 14" tire selection isn't any better than 13".
83-5641 1526247017B 15x6 4-100/4.50 +41 5 1/8" 23 72.0000 1200 This would probably fit.

The thing about these I don't like is the center bore of 72mm. The stock wheel is 58mm. There are no center cap possibilities I can think of, so they would have an unfinished look, especially the ones with the dual bolt circle.

In general, I would recommend either staying with the stock rims or going to 15" so that you have more tire possibilities.

Bill

Don't know if this is of any interest, but you can buy 13x5.5 black steel wheels new with 4.125 backset for $49ea. from Discount Tire Direct, and pick
up a little width.
Here is a link for the list of available sizes in 4-100 Bolt pattern.
13x5.5, 14x5.5, 15x6. in black steel and 14x5.5 and 15x6 in chrome.
These backspaces fit the Manta/Ascona fine but not sure about the GT/Kadett.
Series 83 and 84:
Unique Wheel - Quality Steel Wheels for Automobiles and Trucks
Click on the details link for dimensions. Heavier then mags but cheaper too.