Sabre Wheel differentiation

[Bret Scott (CLC 21765)]

Hi, all-

Ive been considering sabre wheels for my 1957 coupe, and recently took the plunge and purchased a set of four from an auction on eBay.  Fortunately the condition of the wheels is decent if not perfect, as the cost of refinishing appears to be very high.

I may have a problem, though.  It appears that one of the wheels is cast differently than the other three, although the Kelsey casting number (38612) is the same on all four.  Adding to the mix, I see there are also sabre wheels with casting number 39796.  Is there a different offset, weight, or other attribute that would prevent mixing these on a car?  Any information is appreciated.

Regards,

Bret (CLC 21765)
57 Series 62 coupe
68 Eldorado

[JIM CLC # 15000]

02-28-05
Bret, I dont have a solution but I admire the problem!
Good Luck, try it, if it works-go with it, Jim

[Roger Zimmermann #21015]

Up to now, I have seen 3 types of Sabre wheels: the first one has half rim as aluminum and the second half is riveted steel. The second type is that the whole rime is steel, without hump, riveted on the aluminum "center". Recently, I bought a used Sabre wheel; it is of the same construction as my second type: steel rim riveted on the "centre" but WITH a hump on the outside side of the wheel, to prevent an abrupt loss of air when the car is agressively driven. In my opinion, the ofset is the same on all 3 types of wheels.
In the authenification manual for 57 & 58 cars, there is a comment about these wheels; the later ones dont fit earlier cars.

[Joe Abernathy #17524]

The correct casting # for 57 is 41098.  Unfortunately you have a set from 56.  The rears will fit fine but the front wont fit without some kind of spacer.  The hub on the drum of the 57 is a different size than the 56.  If you place them on there you will see that they wont fit flush to the drum.  I went thru this on my 57 Biarritz.

[Bret Scott (CLC 21765)]

Hi Joe, Jim and Roger-

Thanks much for your replies.  In looking through the master parts list, I see now that there is a break between 56 and 57 steel wheels (I cant seem to find the sabre wheels anywhere in the book).  So although they fit, I imagine the 56 wheels set a bit more inboard on the rear of a 57 than the intended wheel.

Well, looks like all that polishing work Ive started will be benefiting someone else on eBay shortly.  Then again, I should be able to find a spacer for this wheel bolt pattern, however I wonder if the existing lug length will accommodate it.  Better to know now than after the expense of tire mounting, I suppose.

Cheers,

Bret
57 Series 62 Coupe
68 Eldorado

[Michael Stamps 19507]

A $5 set of wheel spacers is a lot better than giving them up.  If they are 5 on 5 spacing you should be able to find the spacers at any decent local auto parts store.

Stampie

[Bruce Reynolds # 18992]

Plus the longer studs will be available at any race shop as well if the auto parts store doesnt have any.

Bruce,
The Tassie Devil(le),
60 CDV

[Barry Wheeler #2189]

If you ever see a 1958 Eldo with Gold Sabres, they will use a spacer that GM came up with so they would fit. Cadillac had beau-coup gold sabres left after 1955-56 and so came up with the "fix." There was a rose colored 58 Eldo conv in Indy in the sixties that used these. When I had my 57 conv, I found out the difference when one of the "best" ones did not fit on the front, but would on the back. If yours are all in similar shape, as previously noted, simply put the one that "wont fit" on the front on one of the backs. Also, it would take a pretty sharp eyed judge to note the difference in the indents for the air plug opening. I believe one is round and the other is somewhat square. (Had a senior moment there...cant think of the correct name for those doodies you put the air in through...) Ahah! Valve stem!!!

[Jim Skelly, CLC #15958]

There was a good writeup on the wheels in Self Starter a year or so ago.

[Bret Scott (CLC 21765)]

Hi, all-

thanks again for your advice, and I will definitely try the spacer idea.  Does anyone recall off hand the size (depth) of spacer that is needed?  5-on-5 spacers may have gone the way of the dodo bird and bench seat covers here in Silicon Valley; Ill probably have to buy them online.

Regards,

Bret

[Porter 21919]

Try http://www.stocktonwheel.com TARGET=_blank>www.stocktonwheel.com

Located in California.

[Michael Stamps 19507]

You can measure the backspacing of the wheels that fit and do the math to figure out how big the spacer needs to be.  

Remember that GM trucks used 5 on 5 for decades.  That makes them a little more common item.

Stampie