I'm in the market for some new wheels for
my '71 Chevelle. I was thinking of buying
some 15x8 Chrome Corvette rally wheels from
WHEEL VINTIQUES. Any experince with their
wheels? Good quality? Also, will this
size fit OK? 15x8, Bolt circle 5 x 4 3/4, Backspacing 4 1/2 in. Thanks.

check out tire size on the wheel and tires section. good luck

Before buying aftermarket ralleys, I would call them up and ask if you can use original chevy center caps. I know some aftermarket rims you have to buy their center caps only. Just something for you to watch out for.

Joe Y

Also ask about the outer beauty rings!!

Wes.

A few years ago I bought 15x10 rallys from Wheel Vintiques. I can't speak for the coating on them as at that time they were selling them only bare steel or chromed. Construction and look-wise, they are A-1, without a doubt. I would buy from them again. Right now I'm interested in their 69-70 SS wheels in a 15 inch size. If anyone has purchased these, I'd be interested to hear an opinion.

As for your size choice: if you're thinking of using them up front, it might be tight when turning, but out back it ought to be perfect.

I purchased 2- 16x7's (4" offset) and 2- 16x8's (4 1/2" offset) from them back in June. I have yet to be able to use them on my '95 GMC Jimmy. No one seems to be able to get them to balance. I had a retired Goodyear engineer do a radial and lateral runout on them and he came up with a very bad set of wheels. One problem is that they make the wheels to fit a large number of vehicles, so they build them with 2 different size bolt patterns. Mike Stallings is the owner and gets very upset when he is confronted with numbers saying the wheels are out of round. As I've told him, I realize that I'm probably that one in a thousand, but I like the way the wheels look on my truck and they are the only ones I can find that make 16 and 17 inch rally wheels. My new set should be coming in a couple of days, but it has been a big hassle. Mikes' not a bad guy after he calms down and quits cussing. Be prepared to spend a bunch of money. Plane Jane steel wheels will cost you about $95 a piece, add about $35 a piece if you want them to powder coat them. Then the chrome rings are another $35, with the center pieces about the same. I ordered the Hot Rod rings which look alot better, but you can't get them off without tearing them up if you have to. Mike knows this. I'm re-doing a '67 chevelle convt. and plan on asking him to build me another set of either 16" or 17" wheels. Call me crazy, but I don't think you will find another place in the U.S. that makes them, I haven't yet and I've been looking since about August. One tip though, when have have them balanced, make sure that they don't try to balance them using the center hole. THEY HAVE TO BE BALANCED USING THE LUG PATTERN. Good luck and I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm rambling on.

I live about an hour away from them and picked up my 15x7 SS wheels last year. I mounted and balanced them myself and they do have more runout than I like. I can feel it when I drive it. I also have a problem with the taper for the lug nut on the wheel. If you dont get each nut perfectly straight up to the wheel before putting any torque on them they won't center. Its like the taper wasn't wide enough. Also my car rarely sees outside and the area were the rim is welded together has surface rust starting on it. Otherwise they look good.

JEGS has Wheel Vintiques in their current catalog. Maybe their tech support group can give you additional opinions, etc.

A few years ago, I bought a set of 15" Rally wheels from Early Wheel Co. They were delivered in the bare metal and were then powercoated. Their service and prices were excellent. Give them a call at (805) 688-1187 or www.earlywheel.com
Clint
P.S. John, the wheels you describe will fit fine on your 71 although a 4.25" backspace might work a tad better for the front.