Cadillac Tire Rims - 1966 - 1976

[EAM 17806]

Are all RWD Cadillacs for 1966 (Eldorados and de Villes) the same tire rims as 1967 - 1976 de Villes? I know the Eldorados for 1967-1976 are different but are the 1966s the same? I'd appreciate the answer. Thanks EAM

[Series75]

No they are different, widths , offsets etc.  In 68 front disk brakes became available on RWD cars.   Wheels from earlier cars will mate to the rear drums but not the front disks,  The disk brake wheels look different on the inside.  They have raised circular areas that mate to the front hubs with disk brakes AND the drum face on the rear axle.   Tom CLC#6866

[EAM 17806]

TOM!  The  1976 RWD de Villes and the 1966 Eldos RWD both had front disc brakes and drums in the rear so why wouldn't they be the same rims. Are you stating that the disc brakes were of such different widths so as not to accept these two years rims? Let us know if you still feel they won't fit each other. Thanks Tom!   EAM

[Jeffrey Burland]

Ev, The 66 Eldo only WISHED it had disc brakes in the front. 67 was the new (67-70) design.

[Series75]

Grab a 1966 sales brochure and see that 1966 had no front disk brakes,,,,standard or optional.   4 finned and vented DRUMS were the only way to stop.   Front disks were introduced on RWD Cadillacs in 1968.  I'm positive on this.  I own a 1966 Brougham and had a 1968 Brougham too.  Tom CLC #6866

[EAM 17806]

Grab a 1966 sales brochure and see that 1966 had no front disk brakes,,,,standard or optional.   4 finned and vented DRUMS were the only way to stop.   Front disks were introduced on RWD Cadillacs in 1968.  I'm positive on this.  I own a 1966 Brougham and had a 1968 Brougham too.  Tom CLC #6866

Thanks for the info Tom!  EAM

[TJ Hopland]

So is the question can a 70's rim be used on a 66?

[62droptop]

should be no issue, my dad used 76 wheels on his 68 drum brake car with no issues
i dontthink the offset would be that much different as both 60's and early 79's cars still had skirts
he also used 68 wheels on the 76 rear only as they would not clear the calipers up front


the only issue i can think of is weather the hubcap will still fit properly  as a real deep dish cap will nit fit a standard wheel,
the drum brake cars( at least my 62) had the center ofthe wheel reversed to allow deeper hubcaps

i do know the 68 hubcaps fit a 76 wheel, and they look pretty good on a 76 sedan too

[Series75]

the bottom line.....disk brake wheels are designed to mate to disk brake hubs AND drum brakes.   Drum brake only wheels will not mate to Disk Brake hubs.   Tom CLC#6866

[EAM 17806]

We have just determined that 74-76 caddy de Ville rims will fit the lug nuts of a RWD 1966 Eldorado but proper wheel covers will not go on. Now, next question, does 1967 - 1976 RWD de Villes and Fleetwoods all have the same rims; we know Eldorados will not accept them. What's the final conclusion on this one?  EAM

[cadillactim]

Any 1966-76 Cadillac RWD vehicle except Seville will work on your 66.  I have mid 70s rims on my 67 and the wheel covers fit fine. The 66 and 67 wheel cover are the same.  All of these rims have a deep enough lip for the wheel covers to attach properly. Non Cadillac rims of the same years do not have a deep lip.

As noted earlier, 66-67 are drum only rims, and will not work on disc brakes without using a spacer. The 68 rim was a one year only, as disc brakes were optional that year (but it will still work on your 66). The 69-76 rims are the same (except Seville and CC models).

66-67 will work on 66-67
68      will work on 66-76
69-76 will work on  66-76

Tim

[TJ Hopland]

So the wheel cover issue is due to that design where the cover grabs the actual bead part of the rim vs. the more common flat inner part?  I presume the 76 Seville used the 77- design?  And this design was not unique to Cadillac?

[cadillactim]

Correct, the lip-bead part of the rim is what makes Cadillac rims unique.  That lip is about 1/2 inch tall, whereas most other GM rims are only 1/4 inch tall, which is why Cadillac wheel covers won't mount to those rims.  The wheel covers "bite" this lip to stay on.  Also, even though the 61-64 rims have the same lug pattern, and also have a deep lip, 65-76 wheel covers won't fit on them because they are a little smaller than the 61-64 design (and 61-64 wheel covers won't fit 65-76 rims).

I believe Seville rims have a different lug pattern, and may not be as wide at other Cadillac rims.

Tim