1955 Chevy Convertible Rat Rod - Pro Touring LSx Project

[t_towner]

The guys over at LS1 asked me to check come over here for some advice. I really need help picking out the rims for this car.

Here's a brief background.

1955 Chevy Convertible. Black plate one owner California car.

Goal: Mild LSx car with 4 link rear. Big brakes, solid performance and go have fun. Keep exterior body all original. Fix what's necessary to make a fun/unique pro-touring type rat rod.

So far the LQ9 is installed w/ LS2 intake and I'm trying to figure out the accessory drive (have both drives from a 12k mile CTS-V LS2 and the LQ9 Accessories.)

Done so far:
LSx motor and 4L65e tranny installed. (cam upgraded)
Narrowed 9" with posi and 6 piston Wilwoods on Ride Tech 4 link.
Global West type upper and lower control arms. Heidits dropped spindles and Wilwood 6 piston brakes.


Speartech wiring harness just came in.

Will probably go with Air Ride system. Really need to pick out rims right now.


As Purchased:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Progress

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/f5ec1d46-1.jpg



The original thread on LS1tech

http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/1552760-1955-chevy-convertible-lsx-rat-rod-project.html

[t_towner]

I'm posting here b/c I really need some help picking out wheels.

I'm sort of a 5 spoke billet kind of guy. would also consider gray center.

Here are some choices I was personally thinking of. Besides the Intro wheels and the Foose Coupe wheels. It just has to look close to perfect to pull this off.

I'm lookin at 275/40ZR20's for the back (on 20x9 with 4.5 BS)
245/45ZR18's for the front (18x8 w 4.5 BS)
BF Goodrich Comp 2 tires seem to be the front runner so far.

Guys, your input is important as I'd like to make the wheel decision this week.

Here are some choices:

My original choice is: Intro Wheels - Twisted Vista Design


Boyd Coddington
www.hotrodsbyboyd.com
Signature series: Tri-Five design
Gotcha Series: Twisted Two Tone

Torq II's are everywhere and same w/ Boss 338's. These designs are out.

Fikse FM/5's are sort of old school.
www.fikse.com
Classic Series - FM/5

Foose Coupe's I like but haven't looked at a set in person yet. But it seems that everyone has "Foose."

Any other ideas?

Rockytopper did this rendition on photoshop. I'm quite impressed w his mad skills!


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/rat5-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/rat5top-1.jpg[/QUOTE]

[CruizinKev]

oh cool project! good luck with it! :twothumbs

[rockytopper]

QUOTE "Rockytopper did this rendition on photoshop. I'm quite impressed w his mad skills!"

No more like "photochopped". I don't have those skills but many here do. Any how welcome over here at PT. As for your quest for wheels you might post a thread in the wheel/tire section you will get far more responses. Many folks and wheel sponsors frequent that thread in search of guys like you in the market for some new shoes for their shoebox. Good luck to ya.

[JD'sTT55]

Cool project!! Nice to see another 55 on here

[Johnny Blaze]

I'm interesting in hearing about the Mulsanne Blue Camaro in the background. I had a 71 that went to the chicago michigan arera years ago. The one that I let get away!

As for the 55, I'd go with something mild, a 5 spoke or even better , a big steelie looking wheel!

[rockytopper]

This might help or not but they don't get much cleaner than this open box.

https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?50288-55-Chevy-*PICS*

[BulldawgMusclecars]

I like Rushforth Wheels:

http://www.rushforthwheels.com/wheels

[Wheel Werkes]

Hey T Towner, I am a Fikse authorized dealer i can definitely help you with those wheels. Also I have a great deals for VIP Modular wheels going on right now. Check out wheelwerkes.com find and design you like and we'll take it from there.

Also check out this thread with a bunch of new pix of VIP wheels...
https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?92003-The-VIP-Treatment

[vette427-sbc]

Good luck getting a 245 up front and still having a turning radius, unless you are going to air up the car to almost stock height. Heres my fathers pro-touring-ish '55 with the stock frame (no air, this is static height).
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/4212b12e-1.jpg

225/55/18 tire on an 18x7 with 4.5" backspace. Just barely touches the frame and rolled fender at full lock. The majority of disc brake kits also push the track width out requiring even more backspacing. We designed a custom negative offset C5 brake kit that pulls the track width in just a hair narrower than the stock drum setup.
The car has Earle Williams Chassis Works 3" drop spindles, and 2" drop springs with a coil cut out. We just put in some SPC upper control arms from Mark at SC&C to give it a bit more negative camber without having to shim the hell out of the stock arms. Also gives alot more caster than any aftermarket arm. It sits 3.75" from the ground to the frame crossmember.

No good pics of the car with the new ride height yet but heres one to give you an idea of the stance... It tucks quite a bit of tire (and even some rim) with very minor rubbing
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/1f4a91ab-1.jpg

Love the 'verts BTW... Going to be a very cool car when its done. Good luck! :cheers:

[t_towner]

Ran across this from way back. Ended up doing a frame off resto on the car. Getting down to the last details.

Haartz top just installed and got to drive some this weekend. Still need to finish intake and lots of small details. Two little boys trying to get into the trunk!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/10/null_zps704ec2fb-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[HELLCAMINO]

Both those drop top 55's I would not even begin to paint.....love the aged look.