1970conv98

I'm not sure what color my car's steel wheels are supposed to be.

They appear to have some black paint on them that has come off, revealing silver-grey paint beneath.

Seeing the rims are exposed outside of the wheelcover, I'd like them to be correct.

Thanks for any help.

John

rocketraider

All full-size cars with full wheel covers had black painted wheels.

1970conv98

Excellent!

Thanks for your quick reply.

John

66400

I'm not so sure of that! I had an all original 70 98 convert that had full wheel covers and all 5 of wheels were painted a silver color. More research may be required.

Henry

rocketraider

So the plot thickens. Wonder if it had to do with assembly plant? All the Linden and Lansing cars I've seen had black.

Something I just thought about- didn't the 1970 full covers cover all the way to the edge of the tire, so none of the wheel showed?

oldsonharmont

My dad had a 70 98, and I remember the wheels being painted silver once you removed the hub caps.

rocketraider

And now that I think about it, all Ninety Eight were built in Lansing in 1970, so maybe the cars I saw had had the wheels painted.

Looks like people who've owned the cars agree they are silver.

1970conv98

Let's see if I can figure out how to insert a couple images of the 98's wheels. One will show how much steel rim is exposed beyond the wheelcover and the other shows the spare tire wheel. If the wheelcover is removed, behind it there is some smeary black paint that is wearing off. There's some black paint on the outer exposed edges, too.

oldsonharmont

That's the correct hub cap for a '70 98 and the color of the spare looks like I remember. That's a nice looking car you have there, hang on to it... they'll never make 'em like that again!

Olds64

The wheels on my 71 are black. Of course, 71 was the first year for the new generation B/C body...

Tucker442

Hey guys I have a 70 98 convertable that I purchased from the original owner in 1997, original window sticker and all the booklets that came with the car and all my wheels are silver also. The old guy had died, his wife was backing out of the garage and hit a fire hydrant across the street that's when she decided to sell it. Very little damage to the car just the back bumper a little. What a fun car to drive, white with black leather interior, black top.

1970conv98

Thanks, everyone, for the help. Looks like silver is the answer!

Tomorrow the tires will be peeled off, the wheels sandblasted, etch-primed and painted. Should be a nice improvement.

John

Olds64

Make sure you post pics!

Tucker442

any of you guys interestred in a 68 98 4dr hdtp. I have a friend that has one about 5 years now, never registered it and is looking for a home for it, I offered to take it for free but I guess he's looking for like 2 grand or so. White, black interior and black vinyl top

1970conv98

The tires got removed from the rims today and I set about degreasing the rims, sandblasting, priming, then painting.

Here are some progress photos.

Typical rust & that crazy black paint covering half the rim lip.








Sandblasted clean


Painted




Family photo!


Once they're back on the car next week, I'll post a final pic of the project.

Olds64

AWSOME!

rocketraider

I like. Nice work. Shame you'll end up covering them up, and scratching them when you put the wheelcovers on.

Just realised these wheels have no provision to mount dogbowl caps.

jeffreyalman

yes!

1970conv98

Okay. Here's the finished product.

Before:


After:


Not particularly beautiful, but it is no longer an eyesore.

Next week new springs are being installed to see if the original factory posture can be regained. The previous owner installed 4 springs and it has quite the athletic stance. I'll post information after the shop is finished.

John