In the decade of the 60’s, I was a Ford guy – just give me a ’69 Stang with a 428 Cobra Jet. But even being a Blue Oval fanatic, I always thought their cars had the least attractive factory wheels; either standard or optional. GM led the way with wheel design, with Chrysler way back in second and Ford a poor third. AMC I believe didn’t have a factory sports wheel, instead offering an aftermarket model as an option. Let’s look at some ‘60’s factory wheels (we’ll stick with mostly sports models) and chime in with your favorite…
Most Fords came with hubcaps in the 60’s – Ford seemed to stay with hubcaps longer than the other brands.
Beginning in 1965, Ford did offer a factory styled steel wheel as an option, similar to the attractive Magnum 500 manufactured by Lansing-based Motor Wheel Corp. Today, every restored Mustang or Fairlane seems to be sporting a set, but they must have been an expensive option back in the day, as you didn’t see them that often. Nice looking wheel.
Then in ’68, Ford came out with their factory “GT” wheel which was offered on their all sports models; Mustang, Torino, etc. I thought it was actually a step backward. It just seemed too plain to me, and in fact, took some of the allure away from the snazzy-looking ‘68-’69 Mustang and Torino bodies. Like wearing a pair of buckwing brown shoes with a tuxedo…
I’ll give Ford a little credit however – with one of the best aftermarket wheels of the ‘60’s, they made an icon…
Chrysler, like Ford, took awhile to come up with their own factory design. Chrysler offered the aftermarket Magnum 500 wheel – very attractive, here on a Road Runner.
Then in ’70, they came out with their factory “Rallye” wheel. It was a popular option and was produced through ’78. I thought it was a pretty nice wheel – not great, but unique enough that you knew your were looking at a Chrysler when you saw one.
GM was way out in front of the others when it came to wheels – each division had it’s own unique factory model that blended beautifully with Bill Mitchell’s breathtaking designs.
Chevy had their “Rally” wheel – used on Corvettes, Camaros and even Impalas. Nice wheel, but still a little too bland for me.
Olds had their “Super Stock II” – a really nice looking wheel. No doubt in your mind, if you saw a SS II, you knew immediately that the car was an Olds. Later versions came with painted spokes that matched the body color. I typically wasn’t a fan of painted wheels, but I thought these looked great. Had a set on my ’81 Cutlass.
Pontiac had the superb Rally II – first issued in ’67 and used on almost every model. Another unique design – you knew when you saw one there was a GTO, Firebird, Grand Prix, or even a big Bonneville riding on top. The Rally II was one of the reasons I preferred the Firebird to the Camaro – through both the first and second generations.
A great wheel – just ask Jimbo…
Lastly, there was Buick. Buick was more of a luxury mark than the other brands, but it had several sporty models in its lineup in the ‘60s; the Wildcat, Riviera, and GS 400. All of these came with the Buick “Rally Road” wheel, which was first offered in ’64. It perfectly blended luxury and sport in a great looking design.
So what’s my favorite – I actually think the Olds, Pontiac and Buick wheels are all very sharp, but if forced to choose, I’d pick the Buick by the slightest of margins.
Which is your favorite?
I’ve always been partial to Corvette alloy wheels, and for some reason I prefer the cleaner look of the ‘67s, without the knockoffs.
I’m also a fan of Pontiac’s 8-lug wheels…
I’ll also cast my vote for these Pontiac wheels, which came integral with their own unique brake drums.
Exactly what I was about to post! Surprised they didn’t make the article.
+1.
As soon as I saw the title, I immediately thought “eight-lug Pontiacs!”
+2
+3
+4 but it’s a toss-up between the Pontiac 8-lug wheels and the Chevrolet rally wheels
That wheel is hideous, but the brake drum is stunning!
Never much liked knock-off spinners, either, particularly the fake ones. At least if they were real knock-offs, there was a reason for the spinner fins.
In either guise, I suspect knock-off spinners got a bad reputation after James Bond’s DB5 tore up the side of Jill Masterson’s Mustang.
I’m partial to Mopar musclecars but I agree that GM had the nicest factory wheels in those years I like the Olds Super Stock IIs and the Pontiac Rallye IIs the best and both lasted well into the 80s
One wheel I hate that many love is the Pontiac honeycombs.
I don’t like the honeycombs either, but I love the snowflakes!
I have a soft spot for the Olds Super Stock II since my first car had them, but it’s hard to argue with the chromed Buick road wheel.
I think the Mopar rallye wheel was available through ’78 on the Aspen/Volare and possibly on the B-body cars as well.
Thanks – you’re right – just checked and they came standard on the 78 Volare Roadrunner. Jim.
MG; Austin-Healey; Triumph …..
They certainly work for early-sixties cars, though I can’t imagine many late-sixties cars on wires.
An outstanding job on research and pictures, Jim Brophy!
The Buick all steel, chrome & black painted center “Rally Road” rims are my all time favorite factory wheels. They added to the appeal of very Buick (and other GM models) that I have seen them on.
A close second is the Mopar “Magnum 500” steel road wheels. Sporty yet upscale looking on all the cars; from a Chrysler 300 down to a Volare.
Agree with LT Dan in that those Pontiac honeycomb wheels were butt-ugly.
The Pontiac Rally II rims, although reasonable attractive. were so ubiquitous I became bored and numb to them. Seems like 80% of all Pontiacs had ’em? The silvered trim rings seems to be missing on at least one rim.
I don’t find Chevy Rallys bland at all. My favorite wheel of the era with the 6-slot Rallys (usually seen in 14″ on Novas and Camaros) a close second.
I seem to recall Buick using these same or similar wheels on the ’67 or so GS 340. The car I recall was silver with red stripes. The wheels were red and had Buick centers on them.
Bob
Great research and photos Jim. I’d have to agree the Buick road wheels did a great job of conveying luxury and sport. Making even the bloated early 70s B bodies look more attractive and agile.
I thought Buick was overusing them though, when they offered a version on the early X-Body Skylarks. It cheapened and debased their exclusivity to traditional sized Buicks IMO. They appeared to be only 13 inches as well. Not appearing especially impactful in person, when compared to the way they beautified large Buicks.
Interesting point about GM trying to adapt these designs for FWD applications. I agree the “flatter” and smaller variants of the traditional Buick Rally Road and Olds Super Sport wheels did not ever look right, and their popularity waned quickly.
Not sure, but I suspect Buick (and Olds) dropped them by 1982/1983, as I only recall seeing them on the earliest versions (’80/’81). And only occasionally. Both Buick and Olds versions looked gimmicky to me on a subcompact car. Watering down the elegance they delivered on their larger models.
They were definitely around at Olds in ’82 on the Cutlass Ciera. My grandparents had them on theirs, and they didn’t look as good as the older SSIIs on the RWD cars.
That says, as Matt notes below, these wheels were better than the alternative wire wheel covers or base wheel covers on the Ciera.
You could get the Olds Super Stock wheels on the Ciera and Calais through at least ‘86.
Thank you… With my original comment, I was referring to no longer seeing the Buick road wheels and Olds Super Stock wheels on the Skylark/Omega after the first couple of years. I knew the larger models retained them later.
They started showing up on Chevys as well, or something very similar called the “Rally II wheel”. Always painted the usual matte silver, though,or rarely gloss black with chrome trim rings, the latter only seen on the final squarebody S-10s in the early ’90s.
The S10(and many others in the 80s) rally wheel used is similar but definitely not the same as the Olds wheel. The Chevy spokes have an hourglass shape to them.
Better than awful wire wheel covers. These wheels are the only thing these early X and FWD A-bodies had going for them. I’ve never seen a single example with them outside of brochures.
I agree with you and GN, they improved the looks of the A body Century and Ciera. They appeared to be 14 inches. They didn’t look good to me in 13 inch form, on the Skylark/Omega. As I don’t recall seeing later X body Skylarks with them.
The X bodies all got new wheels in 1983.
This is almost impossible for me to answer. I could make a case for just about any of these wheels, which I guess was the point for creating desirable extra cost options. The fact that so many of the designs had good longevity, lasting for decades in some cases, proves their lasting desirability.
Picking just one? Well, I guess I have a soft spot for the Oldsmobile body-colored Super Stock II wheels, with Buick and Pontiac just about right there with the Olds (see, I really can’t pick just one…).
Ford had the worst wheels? Not here in Europe, or at least, the UK.
From the Rostyles of the ’60’s Cortina 1600E and subsequent Capri’s, to later genuine Alloy wheels in the 70’s and 80’s, Ford UK hit the button with stylish, good looking and still sought after factory or optional after market rims. The RS Revoutions for the Escort, the Capri 280’s or even the 16″ Scorpio’s were way ahead of the game – and still valuable now.
Agree wholeheartedly – not only the wheels, but we were also not allowed to experience all the great European-only Fords. Jim.
You forgot the Pontiac, Rally I wheels. I would go with those or the Buick’s.
The wire wheels on the E Type Jaguars, and the beautiful 8 lugnut Pontiac wheels from the `60s. And those Cord style wheels on the `66 and `67 Toronado ain`t too shabby either.
I liked Chrysler’s Rallye wheel design through the 70s, especially on Darts, Dusters, Aspens and Volares. I wasn’t a huge fan when they largely replicated its look for use on the Omni/Horizon and TC3/024.
The first wheels I thought of were the Ford GT wheels. I like them. I know it’s a ’70’s thing, but I like Pontiac’s Honeycomb wheels and Chevy 6- hole Rally wheels. If Ford’s slot mags came an inch wider, I’d like those, too.
The Chrysler rally wheel was introduced in 1970, not 1968. It’s actually a peeve of mine when I see them on 68-69 Chargers like that.
The design does however resemble the 15” wheel cover used on the 1969 Polaras.
Matt – thanks. I found a couple sites that said they came out in 68, but I’ll take your word for it. Jim.
Hard to pick favorite because there were some nice ones, , but I like the Olds SSI wheels.
1. Buick Rally Road wheels
2. Pontiac 8 Lug Aluminum available mid 1960-1969
2. Pontiac Rally I wheels available 1965-1970 (looks great on any mid-sized Pontiac)
I’m partial to Mercury’s styled steel wheels made between 67-70(?) Very underrated design, I never really liked any of the Ford division wheels.
My high school buddy put Chrysler wheels on his ‘65 Mustang, which actually looked really good…. the original hubcaps on Dad’s (and later mine) ‘69 F-100 Custom Cab looked sharp and dressy, too.
I’d put a tie between the Magnum 500’s as used by Ford, Chrysler and AMC and the Buick Rally.
I’m also partial to the Scout Doll-up wheel and its later Rallye version that was also found on GM trucks in the 70’s. http://www.binderplanet.com/photopost/Data/500/whitewall1.jpg
AMC did have their own exclusive wheel. https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hmn/2010/09/The-Machine-Wheel/3689601.html
I do like the AMC Magnum 500’s (same as Ford’s) available on ’68 AMX’s and Javelins in chrome; and sparkle/painted on ’69’s.)
Then in ’71 they introduced their slot-style steel wheel, available in 14″ and then in 15″ as well. That came with the Gremlin “X” package, and others. They used the ‘volcano’ center cap, which was then used later on on another styled wheel.
Rostyles but preferably not on a UK Ford or wires.
Olds Super Stock II is still my favorite. Especially the Hurst/Olds Super Stock II wheels in partial chrome.
+1. By far my favorite.
The late 70s Lincoln turbine wheel, pure class.
Rally II, hands down.
I agree: Bonneville with hubcaps.
Oops, forgot to convert to JPEG.
Now, Bonneville with Rally II wheels: same car, same color, huge difference.
Jim, hard to disagree with your picks. 1960’s – ’70’s Olds and Pontiac wheels were first class. The Buick chrome wheel was also nice, more luxurious than sporty, which fit in nicely with the brand. Of course the Pontiac 8 lug was a thing of beauty. It may have been the first factory optional wheel. Can’t recall any others prior to 1963. Never was a big fan of the Chevy rally wheel. Chrysler Corp. had some nice ones as well, but they didn’t seem to be as popular as over at GM. Ford’s offerings paled in comparison.
I always liked the Pontiac Rally II…but I think I like this one better. I can’t think of a more iconic wheel design.
Some people associate rear engines with real Porsche’s, some air cooling. Me, once they stopped using this Fuchs wheel, they were dead to me.
It’s not personal, Matt. It’s strictly business.
Magnum 500s all day long.
Chrysler Rallye wheels didn’t debut until 1970, still a nice design. The real unicorn was the Chrysler “recall” wheels which were only available in the first few weeks of the 1969 model year, these used a cast center which was prone to cracking because the lug nuts would loosen. There are a few sets of them out there and they go for crazy money today, its surprising that nobody has ever repoped the same style with inserts in the lug holes so the same problem doesn’t occur.
https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hmn/2007/05/Total-Recall/1454813.html
The price of original recall wheels are, indeed, outrageous, but I think someone is making repops.
Of course, there’s always the classic VW wheel!
+1
I also liked this optional wheel that came along in 1970 or so.
+1, I actually kind of like the VW wide 5 rim without the hubcap as well.
The Buick rod wheels could even make the behemoth Estate Wagon look sporty
I’ve always been partial to the Olds wheel – maybe because a very close almost-copy turned up in Australia on our most potent VH Valiants and Chargers! Of course nobody here knew that, as Oldsmobiles hadn’t been officially sold here since ’48. Maybe Olds objected, because it was later replaced by a five-slot alloy. But if I had a Charger, I’d prefer these.
In “tiny-view,” that Charger bears a remarkable similarity to an early ’70’s Renault R15 or R17…..
Pete, those wheels weren’t replaced by the 5 slot alloys, the cast alloys were part of the Track Pack option on the R/T.
The “Olds” style wheels remained in the whole Valiant range probably until the the end in 1981, although the width was made narrower for some reason.
The gorgeous cast alloys were also made optional across the complete range at least through 1978 as well.
Sorry Aussie Mopar pedant here !!!
That’s fine jonco! Just that every Charger you see these days seems to have the alloys, and the later Valiants were a fairly uncommon sight when new, so I didn’t know they’d kept them – though now that I think about it, Cousin Don’s GLX had them. Memory’s going…… 🙂
recalled Mopar wheels
Those Pontiac Ralley II’s even look great on the 1977 Pontiac COAL feature car.
I’ll nominate these Campagnolos as used on the Miura:
The ubiquitous Magnum 500 is the one I believe all four domestic manufacturers used. Mainly it seems to be featured on late sixties Mopars.
What’s interesting are the rim of the Magnum 500. Early ones, through 1968 (I think) had a chrome rim. It’s also worth noting that those early ones had the words ‘Magnum 500’ on the center cap. Later ones didn’t have the lettering.
Likewise, the rim was no longer chrome, but painted black. Instead, an aluminum trim ring was used from that 1969 forward. And, as pointed out, the Mopar Rallye wheel appeared the following year.
Whether the Magnums 500s have a chrome rim or trim ring is of those small things where you can tell if someone went the extra mile in keeping their restored musclecar truly OEM and correct.
And as a final note on painted wheel rims, it’s worth noting that the (in)famous GTO Judge came with Rallye II wheels minus the trim rings and silver painted rims.
Best wheel and application is the Rallye II’s without chrome trim rim as used on Trans-Am. Only 14″ in 1970, I think, but gave the car a properly finished look for a factory delivered steel wheel fitment that obviated the need to upgrade to “mags”.
I think the non-trim ring Rallye II looks good because the painted, silver rim goes well with the painted silver spokes. I don’t know if the Rallye II was designed to have painted (rather than chrome) spokes from the beginning (most Rallye II applications have a rim trim ring), but it certainly panned out with both the Judge and Trans Am.
The Buick Road Rally Wheel is kind of like a Wing Tip shoe. It always looks good, and never goes out of style.
Of those I actually saw on the street in the ’60s, would be the Magnum 500 or Pontiac 8-lug.
I guess Minilite wasn’t a factory option anywhere, but equally appealing after 50+ years.
I always loved the Halibrand knock-offs, and I just now went looking for them as “factory” somewhere—evidently Shelby/Cobra qualifies:
George, see my reply below – Studebaker offered them in 1964. A little more looking tells me that they were a factory-approved option available for installation by dealers. The spinner may have been Studebaker-specific, but I am not sure of this.
I know it’s rare, but the Aston Martin alloy still looks good…
A follow-up CC on road wheels for subsequent decades would probably be anti-climactic.
Still, Ford seemed to really gravitate to aluminum slot wheels throughout the seventies on what passed as a Ford performance car of the time. For those around during those days, it was general knowledge if you couldn’t afford anything else, you ran aluminum slots. That popularity is likely what caused Ford to offer them as a factory option.
Rockford’s Rally 2. Because it can pull off whitewalls or white letter tires with equal aplomb. A class act like James Garner himself.
I’m biased but I really love the Campagnolo Daytona Star design wheels Alfa offered. Campagnolo is probably most famous for their beautiful bicycle components but they offered some lovely cast wheels as well.
Magnesium alloy, they weigh 12.4 pounds each.
It didn’t initially occur to me these were a 60s wheel given the proliferation of 70s and 80s Ferrari’s with them. This is definitely my favorite wheel design, ever.
Aussies will recognize the style from the Globe Bathurst wheels fitted to the famed GTHO Falcons, but we know the style was copied from these Campagnolos.
Nobody has mentioned the 15 inch Road Wheels on C body Mopars, but those might be more 70s than 60s. (Edit – XR7 Matt mentioned them and noted a 1970 introduction.)
My vote is for the Pontiac Rally II or the Buick wheels. They improved the looks of everything they went on from hot cars to elegant ones.
One other late entry: Studebaker offered Halibrand wheels on the 1964 cars but it was so late in the game that few were so-equipped. (Edit – they were factory approved but supplied by Studebaker dealers.) They look good, though.
^^^^Thanks for the info (above), JPC—and for the shared “like” for the Halibrands…
Way late to the party here, but for me, a Ford guy (for the most part – I practice equal opportunity car enjoyment ;o), it’s between the Buick Road Rally Wheels and the Chevy Rally Wheel used on Corvettes, Monte Carlos, Camaros, etc.
While I like the cheaper looking Ford “GT” wheels used on ’69 Mustangs and Torinos, I agree with the author that GM had better looking sporty wheels.
Now in the late seventies? – Yeah, I love the Lincoln “Turbine” wheels.
If I have to pick only one, make it this….
The Olds hands down.
Personal faves of the full size models…
Had a neighbor who ordered LOADED Olds 98s and Toronados but always got the base, smooth full wheel cover because he didn’t like cleaning the dressier wheel cover/wheel options…always looked weird to me.
When I became the “head car washer” at a large funeral home in the 80s, I came to understand the wisdom of easy-to-clean wheels. Some of these styled steel wheels have to be a giant pain to clean. On a side note, I don’t miss white wall tires either, although some cars look strange without them.
Magnum 500’s look tric on a Mustang… Chevy Rallys look right on the right cars as do the Dodge Rallys. One thing’s for sure, hubcaps are definitely o u t.