Resurrection of the chrome 5-1/2" wheel as part of Cal Look today!

[Jim Ratto]

Why is it that the chrome 5 lug 5-1/2" wheel has lost popularity among hot rodded VW's today? To me they look bitchin on any 5 lug car, especially without caps.
I like the pics of Dave Rhoads green sedan with 5-1/2" 356-style wheels. And the pics of Sarge's '63 wearing the chrome 5 lugs too....simple, tasteful....a true part of Cal Look history, aren't they?

[stealth67vw]

I need to take more pics of my car. I love the chromie look.

[sheep]

There used to be a green 66 (I think ) on this forum that ran chromies with no caps . The car looked so bad ass. I havent seen it in awhile.If you know which car it is post some pics

[javabug]

Chromie fan, checking in.  If I had anything that wasn't Porsche pattern, I'd run them!

[Donny B.]

I like 'em with the old porsche nipple style hub caps!  That was cool.

[Bryan67]

These pictures are pretty played out but oh well.........
I like them with caps.

[Bewitched666]

I agree with Jim,the chromie 5 lug wheel looks cool on a beetle and is for shure part of the old skool callook.
Going true some old pics i asume that that was the WHEEL before the BMR'S or am i wrong?

[LuftsickTero]

Why is it that the chrome 5 lug 5-1/2" wheel has lost popularity among hot rodded VW's today?

Maybe because they suck 

I probably dislike them ever more than stock steelies for which I can only think one use (besides the "for sale" wheels) which is tool like this for removing the rear axle nut. They look cheap and  they make the car look like the owner could not afford alloys. But this is just my opinion 

[axam48ida]

Jim,  I had the chromies on my daily driver, but I went back to the centerlines
I think those wheels lost being proper with all the repro's of brm's, 5 spokes, and
porsche repro's available

[Georg/DFL]

Our club member Andi has them on his 64 beetle. He swaped to Enkei 5-Spokes in 2005 and now back to chromies. They give the car a more 70s look in my opinion. Try to find a picture with the Enkeis.

[Tim C]

I like the look of them... old pic of my 66 with chrome outers and black painted insides.... (terrible quality pic I'm afraid)

[javabug]

they make the car look like the owner could not afford alloys.

Because he spent all his cash on a 2-liter?   

Hey Jim,  I've been collecting the non-chromed 5x130 steels for a set of spares for a while.  I think I have a full set of 5-1/2", one 4-1/2", and one 6".  Honestly, I'm not sure I could get into those wheels for more than a backup set.  Maybe on the right car?  The 5x205 wheels just have a more "aggressive" look to me because of the large opening in the center.

[stealth67vw]

they make the car look like the owner could not afford alloys.

Because he spent all his cash on a 2-liter?   

Man I could not have said than any better myself. Fast first, looks and vanity second, has been my motto for a long time.

[sheep]

Our club member Andi has them on his 64 beetle. He swaped to Enkei 5-Spokes in 2005 and now back to chromies. They give the car a more 70s look in my opinion. Try to find a picture with the Enkeis.

this is the car I was talking about earlier..... I like this car alot

[Frank LUX]

they make the car look like the owner could not afford alloys.

Because he spent all his cash on a 2-liter?   

Man I could not have said than any better myself. Fast first, looks and vanity second, has been my motto for a long time.

Always depends for HOW LONG it Takes...

Frank

[louisb]

I think it depends on the car and the style you are after. On the right car they look great. I prefer the Porsche chrome w/ Porsche cap myself.

--louis

[lawrence]

I think it depends on the car and the style you are after. On the right car they look great. I prefer the Porsche chrome w/ Porsche cap myself.

--louis

Well said above.

I have grown fond of the chromies lately, but they must be on the right car. I like them with the nipple caps as well for that true cal-look. There was a guy at bugorama selling some mangles that were powdercoated a nice silver color. They looked great.

Bryan, what size tires were on your chromies?


Badass car vvvvv

[Bryan67]

Just good old 145`s and 165`s. Those are the wheels that were on the car when I bought it. I ran a set of restored chrome Sprintstars on it for awhile but put the chromies back on it when I sold it.

[Sarge]

 Fast first, looks and vanity second, has been my motto for a long time.

That pretty much says it all!    I've had more then my fair share of chromies and caps over the years while funneling all my cash into engines and transmissions...  I still like the look.  A couple of pics of the 67 before the BRM's (sorry for the crumby scans in advance!).

[sheep]

 Fast first, looks and vanity second, has been my motto for a long time.

That pretty much says it all!    I've had more then my fair share of chromies and caps over the years while funneling all my cash into engines and transmissions...  I still like the look.  A couple of pics of the 67 before the BRM's (sorry for the crumby scans in advance!).

whos the hot babe in the bottom picture??? wowzer

[louisb]

 Fast first, looks and vanity second, has been my motto for a long time.

That pretty much says it all!    I've had more then my fair share of chromies and caps over the years while funneling all my cash into engines and transmissions...  I still like the look.  A couple of pics of the 67 before the BRM's (sorry for the crumby scans in advance!).

whos the hot babe in the bottom picture??? wowzer

I don't know, but lets hope his wife doesn't find out. 

--louis

[Soda]

I still have chromies on my car. Granted I havn't done anything to it in about seven years. I still drive it every once in a while. Still scares the crap out of the wife.


Bryan

[sheep]

I still have chromies on my car. Granted I havn't done anything to it in about seven years. I still drive it every once in a while. Still scares the crap out of the wife.


Bryan

Bryan you got married? Shit I lost 5 bucks... You are straight.... hahahahahah
where are you living now? lets get together for a beer or 12

[stealth67vw]

I still have chromies on my car. Granted I havn't done anything to it in about seven years. I still drive it every once in a while. Still scares the crap out of the wife.


Bryan

Bryan you got married? Shit I lost 5 bucks... You are straight.... hahahahahah
where are you living now? lets get together for a beer or 12

I lost 5 bucks too. I had a bet he sold his car for beer money. 

Post up some pics of your car Bryan.

Here's mine with 5.5 chromies and no caps. I have lowered it another inch up front and 2 inches out back. The positive camber was squirrelly in the snow and rain. 165s up front and 185s out back. I cant wait to put in my 10" narrowed beam and sand all my original paint off 

[stealth67vw]

Another

[stealth67vw]

I still have chromies on my car. Granted I havn't done anything to it in about seven years. I still drive it every once in a while. Still scares the crap out of the wife.


Bryan

Bryan you got married? Shit I lost 5 bucks... You are straight.... hahahahahah
where are you living now? lets get together for a beer or 12

I lost 5 bucks too. I had a bet he sold his car for beer money. 

Post up some pics of your car Bryan.

Here's mine with 5.5 chromies and no caps. I have lowered it another inch up front and 2 inches out back. The positive camber was squirrelly in the snow and rain. 165s up front and 185s out back. I cant wait to put in my 10" narrowed beam and sand all my original paint off 

I wasn't worried about Bryan being straight or not.....I figured he would marry an old Norton Commando or DKW motorcycle.
Anyway Congrats Bryan and Lynsey.

And John, if you even think about putting a hoodride beam in your car I will personally kick your ass. Or I'll send Cedor up.

Temps up front and 135s out back, notched spring plates. It gonna be tight yo! I love it when people tell my back wheels are falling off.......Ha Ha ha. 

[louisb]

I still have chromies on my car. Granted I havn't done anything to it in about seven years. I still drive it every once in a while. Still scares the crap out of the wife.


Bryan

Bryan you got married? Shit I lost 5 bucks... You are straight.... hahahahahah
where are you living now? lets get together for a beer or 12

I lost 5 bucks too. I had a bet he sold his car for beer money. 

Post up some pics of your car Bryan.

Here's mine with 5.5 chromies and no caps. I have lowered it another inch up front and 2 inches out back. The positive camber was squirrelly in the snow and rain. 165s up front and 185s out back. I cant wait to put in my 10" narrowed beam and sand all my original paint off 

Where did you find 185s at?

--louis

[stealth67vw]

I still have chromies on my car. Granted I havn't done anything to it in about seven years. I still drive it every once in a while. Still scares the crap out of the wife.


Bryan

Bryan you got married? Shit I lost 5 bucks... You are straight.... hahahahahah
where are you living now? lets get together for a beer or 12

I lost 5 bucks too. I had a bet he sold his car for beer money. 

Post up some pics of your car Bryan.

Here's mine with 5.5 chromies and no caps. I have lowered it another inch up front and 2 inches out back. The positive camber was squirrelly in the snow and rain. 165s up front and 185s out back. I cant wait to put in my 10" narrowed beam and sand all my original paint off 

Where did you find 185s at?

--louis

They were on the car when i got it. They are not hard to find. 185/65/15s.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compare1.jsp?width=185%2F&ratio=65&diameter=15&startIndex=0&search=true&pagelen=20&pagenum=1&pagemark=1&x=108&y=7&RunFlat=All

[stealth67vw]

Here are some new pictures I just took 20 minutes ago. Jim, recognize the exhaust?

[louisb]

They fill really fill out the wheel well nicely without looking overstuffed like some of the 205s.

--louis