15" rims vs. 16" rims

[Oldguy48]

My P15 has 15" rims that need to be blasted and painted before I have new tires installed. I just found a source of a full set (5) of 16" rims that are in remarkably good shape, even down to the 3 ivory accent stripes. Is there any advantage to either size? The car is in process of being painted, and I need to decide on tires very soon. Any thoughts on what size would be the better choice? I understand that the 46 P15's were equipped with 16" rims, and 47, 48, and early 49 had 15" rims, but I never found the reasoning for the size change. Your opinions are welcomed. Thanks.

[oldodge41]

Speedometer won't care what size the rims are as long as the overall height of the tire stays the same. I am not a purist so I say run which ever suits your purpose. I have 16" on my D19 but am considering going to 15" and radials when I make a change strictly based on cost and available tire options.....................Tim

[1941Rick]

You will find the overall height of a 15" tire and a 16" are very close to the same.......

[Eneto-55]

Maybe someone has already done this, but if you get the 16's, it would be nice to have the measurements for exactly where (and width) the pin stripes should be, to be "factory correct". I didn't think about it when I stripped mine years ago, and now I think I'd like to make it as correct as possible.

(Regarding your question, I like the look of the narrow tires on the 16's. My dois centavos.)

[Jim Yergin]

Maybe someone has already done this, but if you get the 16's, it would be nice to have the measurements for exactly where (and width) the pin stripes should be, to be "factory correct". I didn't think about it when I stripped mine years ago, and now I think I'd like to make it as correct as possible.

Take a look here:

http://www.oldmopar.com/oldmopar/colorchart.html

Jim Yergin

[Powerhouse]

Do the 5 16" wheels have the safety bead hump? That would be a nice find. I have been considering changing over to radials and downsizing wheels to 15" to get tires easier and cheaper. Tire height must stay similar or speedometer would not read correctly. Wheel size doesn't really matter. The tire size was changed as well when the wheel size went down in 47.

[Eneto-55]

Take a look here:

http://www.oldmopar.com/oldmopar/colorchart.html

Jim Yergin

Thanks much, Jim. Seeingt that agian, I do think I recall someone referring to it in the past, but I had forgotten about it. This time I have copied the material and referenced my notes with this source.

Neto

[JIPJOBXX]

You know maybe that is why I never have taken first place in the car shows that I go to because I never pin striped my rims! Oh well just got to live with it I suppose.

[mrspeedyt]

good thing you and your source of nice 16" rims are on the east coast 'cause if they were over in my neighborhood i'd be trying to acquire them if the price was reasonable.

[blucarsdn]

If you check on the availability of tires you will find that the 15" size has a lot more options.. The 16" availability will be very limited. The majority of the 16" wheels will be narrower than the average 15", the majority of the 16" wheels will not be the "safety" type which is important if you should decide to use tubeless tires.

[Oldguy48]

Thank you for all the responses. I've decided to retain the 15" rims, and I just ordered the new tires (wide whitewalls). The car is in the paint shop now, so things are starting to come together pretty quickly. Hope to have it on the road early this summer.

[greg g]

Unfortunately the market for 16 in tires these days is a bit different than 60 years ago.

Most16 inch passenger tires are the skateboard style wide tread low aspect ratio stuff for current cars, and truck tires with 8 or 10 ply construction. Finding a current 16 in application proper for your car will lead you to the Classic car aftermarket Like Coker, Diamondback, Universal, and others. Most of these specialty makers are charging big bucks, $100.00 + per tire. If you have the money and want to go that way then the 16's may serve your needs.

Personally, I went to aftermarket 15 inch rims with modern economy radials. I got my first set of 205 75 15, for 35 bucks each from wally world. I later replaced the rears with 225 75 15 from pep boys. (these more closely matched the diameter of the 16's my 46 originally came with.) Granted they do not provide the look of the originals, but for my purposes, they are easy on the wallet and universally replaceable on the road.

We do use our car for long distrance trips, so drivability,ride comfort, handling and braking performance and easy replacement are more important to me than the right look.

As always your choice, but as noted for authenticity you car should be equipped with 15 inch rims. My car came when I bought it was sitting on 17 inch rims (supposedly an option for rural/agricultural owners) It also had a set of 4 16 in rims, and 5 15 inch rims and tires in the trunk.

[Powerhouse]

It also had a set of 4 16 in rims, and 5 15 inch rims and tires in the trunk.

MUST be a business coupe for all that to fit in the trunk!

Can you measure the radial 15" tires overall heights and widths at widest point for me please?

I have been having a hard time finding tires that actually measure what they are specified at. The tie rod and such is kind of close to the stockers I have now.

Edited March 15, 2011 by Powerhouse