63 Dodge wheel options?

[uk-maxie]

Hi there

Anyone out there know anything about what wheels were available on what model, on these early cars?
I know it's fairly common knowledge that, for example, you could order either (correct me if I'm wrong!) steels & dog-dishes or Magnums on a 68 roadrunner, but I havent seen any info on what wheels would have been available on our 63 Polara 500 :icon_scratch:

We have the original 14" steels with full 'spinner' wheel covers.... (not the best pic, sorry)

but I was wondering if steels & hub caps were available for the 'top of the range' Polara 500? Or were they just for the lower trim level models?

We have some later 15" steels & hub caps....

but would prefer to use the correct earlier, larger caps which we already have, with some 15" wheels we hope to get soon.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance :glasses10:

 

[Rolling Thunder]

To be honest...I like the spinners on your car if wanting the original look. Could always go with a more agressive tire on the 14's and use the spinners for a little different look. Beautiful car by the way!

 

[chignikred]

The 1963 Polara would have come with 14 x 5 steel wheels, likely the ones you say you have. You dont show the wheel without the cover so it is hard to say. 63 wheels , come with the button cap nubs to take a 10" diameter. Also 14 x 5.5 wheels could have come on the car depending on options and order. Also 14 x 6 or 6.5 wheels were available in this year, but wouldnt have shown up on this car. In addition, all wheelcover equipted cars came with black painted wheels, NOT body color wheels. No 15" wheels would have come stock, they would have been on certain full sized cars.
I'm a 62 owner.
Red

 

[uk-maxie]

Thanks for the info guys. Yes we want to keep the original look - that's why we fitted the SSBC front discs (their calipers fit with 14" wheels) - but also want a set of wider 15" steels for the odd trip up the 1/4.

We bought this particular car 'cos it had a complete MW engine (not 440 based like so many clones these days), but ideally would have liked a lower-trim model (post) that would look at home with a set of steels & hub caps.

Here's a pic of one of the original 14" steels next to one of the later 15x7s we got from Classic Chambered. You're probably right on the size of the originals, Red, 14x5, as it's got fairly skinny 215/74x14 tyres (more UK spelling!).

I didnt realise they would have been black though, just presumed the red was either original or at least very old... like the rest of the paint on the car!

But I did know 15" werent available on these cars - only on trucks & some full size cars. I have a friend over here who has a set of 4 he says we can have, but theyre only about 5 or 6" wide, so not ideal for racing


So, Red, sorry to labour the point, but do you know whether our 14" wheels could have been fitted new with button caps (hub caps... dog dishes... etc :icon_winkle or did the Polara 500 only have the full wheel covers? I reckon the 'spinners' fit in more with the 'bling' look of the 500 than button caps would.

Hmmm... just wondering, could the red paint be original if the wheels originally had caps?

 

[Rolling Thunder]

I am going to disagree with the statement that 15 inch wheels were not available on 63 models; including b bodies. My 63 plymouth belvedere wagon came with 15 inch wheels factory. They are 15 x 5.5 and were available as a special wheel option. Just checked the 63 dodge service manual since my car is a 63 plymouth and found on page 22-1 of the dodge manual that they were also available on 63 dodges all models except dart. Standard size was 14x5 but special order availability of 14x5.5K and 15x5.5K wheels. Hope this helps. Len

 

[uk-maxie]

That's interesting, thanks Len :icon_thumleft:

I dont know if the manual we have is the same as yours, but I didnt think of checking there (my brother keeps hold of it, with the car, and I rarely get to see it!). I'll check it out.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

its the 63 service manual with the big dodge tri-star on the front. Glad to be of help.

 

[chignikred]

Two things, easy one first. The wheel on the left is not a 63 wheel. Clue is the 'look' after dealing with so many, but the basis for making the statement is that fact it only has one 'guide' hole between lugs. This came in in late 65, and really more in mid 66.
Now for the arguement , ie on 15" . the other comment of could 15's come on a car, (your Polara), Yes it could as if it was made by mother mopar, you usually could order it. Was it 'normal', no it wasn't. The 'fact' he had a car with 15's I would never argue against, and the fact of it being a wagon makes perfect sense, on showing up on it.
Also, a Polara 500 coming with buttons, would have meant the dealer did it. So the argument goes, is that a stock cover. I say no.
I say if you race the car ,take the wheelcovers off. when you cruise, put them on.

red

 

[khryslerkid]

Sweet Ride! Any more pics? And is this a factory MW 413?

 

[uk-maxie]

Thanks khryslerkid! I did a brief(ish) write up in Members Cars, have a read when you get a couple of mins spare :read2:

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?t=11557



Thanks again for the info Red. First they're the wrong colour, now the wrong year! Anything else you want to hit me with?! :icon_lol:

There's only 1 other 63 Dodge over here in the UK, you wanna see what wheels he's put on after a long & thorough restoration!! :eusa_silenced:

 

[383man]

I say go with the SuperStock look ! Ron

 

[Redpolara]

Both of those 63's have quality written all over them.