jvsteyn

For Sale - 4 wheel set of Vintage American Racing Vector Wheels 15x8.5, with original caps.

Chevy bolt pattern. Came with my 1972 Corvette. I am going to use Chevy Ralley wheels, so do not need these.
Original old school set like the ones used on the Dukes of Hazzard; General Lee 1969 Charger.
Stamped "475 IN" on back of wheel.
Great condition, will be beautiful alter clean and polish.
Comes with tires, but too old to use (age).

Price: $500 for all 4 wheels and centercaps.




from the Nov 2007 Hemmings Motor News
"In 2004, Hagerty Insurance conducted a survey to find out what television or move car Amercian's most recognized ....

Knight Riders K.I.T.T ? Phaf... THe Batmobile ? Hardly. The Topper Buick ? Yeah. Right

High atop the list - about as high as the jumps its stunt drivers performed - sat the General Lee, that four-wheeled star of the 1979-1985 television series, "The Dukes of Hazard"

Everybody immediately recognized the 1969 Dodge Charger for what it was: a hillbilly hot rod, complete with doors welded shut, Confederate flag painted on the roof, NASCAR style "01" painted on the door, black pushbar up front and a set of AMERICAN RACING VECTOR 15" wheels.

If nothing else, he Vector wheels made the General Lee. Their glorious lack of sophistication translated to style for a couple of moonshin' good ol' boys, while their aluminum construction meant Cooter Davenport knew a thing or two about rotating mass and how it effected keeping one step ahead of the law.

The wheels first appeared in American Racing's inventory during the custom van heyday of the mid - 70's, but soon found their way onto John Greenwood's Sebring GT and the Turbo GT Corvettes from 1975 - 1978. Through the first General Lee wore 14" Vector's (with Carroll Shelby center caps, no less) later cars used in the show had a mix of 14" and 15" wheels sans center caps.

By the late 1970's and early 1980's, even some of the OEMs started to mimic the style with their own wheels. The 14" TurboCast II wheel that AMC offered from 1979 - 1983 on the Spirit and AMX had much the same look, but 13 spokes instead of 10. Buick's 15" Grand National and T Type wheels of 1984 - 1987 had the Vector's 10 spokes, but had cone type lug holes (verses the Vector's shoulder type) and a flanged center cap opening (verses the Vector's through from behind center cap mounting style.)

However, as "The Dukes of Hazzard" slipped into reruns, the wheels slipped out of production and into classified ad fodder. Not until the relatively recent resurgence in interest in the show, fueled first by Internet Enthusiasts and later by the big screen rendition, did interest in the wheels again pick up. In 2004, a full set could be had used for about $1,000, but a year later American Racing re-released the Vector wheel (as the Vector SE, series 47) in 15 x 7 inch and 15 x 8.5 inch sizes.

And American Racing knew exactly who'd be interested in the re-released Vector. In press releases announcing the wheel, the company said it considered the Vector SE the "Official Landing Gear of the General Lee".



Wheels are here in Northern California, near Sacramento. Local pickup only.

worship79

Interested, willing to ship to 2144, FM1618, Buffalo, TX 75831 ?

jvsteyn

Well, maybe I could check into it.
Was hoping I would not need to, since I would probably need to remove tires and weigh, then get a quote, but I will try and find out how much it will cost.

worship79

If you would, I'd be very thankful!

A GoodYear Eagle GTII weighs 31lbs according to tirerack, so shipping without tires would be much cheaper. So we can talk about the costs of removing the tires, no problem.

I'm also looking into local pickup by the way, so that's not out of the window either.

jvsteyn

I realize I may lose a buyer, but just wanted to pass on another good deal on these wheels I saw in local craigslist. Actually a much better deal than mine.

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/pts/2026962093.html

I know kind of crazy, but I don't really want to deal with shipping, and thought another forum member might want them.

Just an FYI. Don't know anything about them, other than the link.

jvsteyn

Did an online quote with UPS Ground, and came to $158 for all 4.
Does seem like a lot???? Not sure?
My City and Zip = Elk Grove, CA 95624

worship79

I'll check; how many lbs did you say the package would weigh? This was with tires, right?

jvsteyn

I entered as 4 boxes @ 30 lbs each, packaged by me, 16x16x12, so without tires. Just rough estimates.

Actually, shipping with tires would probably protect the wheels better than packing in boxes??? And the guys transporting could just roll them??? Just a thought.

worship79

That would bump shipping to over $260,- So I'll just trust you'll pack well

Before we discuss payment: what is the backspacing on these? 4"? 4,5"?

jvsteyn

Back spacing is 3 5/8 inches.
They came with my 72 vette, and clear everything fine.

worship79

As per PM we have a deal pending payment

offaxis

I just bought these in KC.


There are more out there, PM me and I will send you the link

Jeff

offaxis

Greenwood Corvette had these wheels.

jvsteyn

FYI, as I measured per another request;
Bolt Pattern = 5 x 4 1/2
Backspacing = 3 5/8

Nevermind, looks like I was measuring 5 lug wheels incorrectly.
So they are 5 x 4 3/4 bolt pattern.

I measrured holes center to center.

HOW TO MEASURE YOUR BOLT PATTERN
4-LUG Measure center to center of two holes directly across from each other.
5-LUG Measure from the center on one hole to the BACK of the third hole.This is the easiest way to estimate a 5-lug bolt circle.
You can also measure from the CENTER of one hole to the CENTER of the third hole using 1.05 multiplier to find your bolt circle.
6-LUG Measure center to center of two holes directly across from each other.
8-LUG Measure center to center of two holes directly across from each other.

worship79

Thanks for checking.

So these being 8.5" width but with 3 5/8" backspacing will be positioned the same as the stock ralleys? Or will they be sticking out half an inch more towards the fender?

jvsteyn

Ok, not sure if measuring backspacing correctly either, but here is what I measured. Basically lay wheel on the ground and measure back of mounting to the ground.

Chevy Vector 8 1/2" wheels;
from back of wheel mounting holes to back edge of rim.
3 5/8

Chevy 8" Ralley wheels;
from back of wheel mounting holes to back edge of rim.
4"

So Chevy wheels (back edge) would sit in closer to frame and so not stick out as far, right?

Ok, so then it also means that the Vector wheels would be about an inch closer to the fenders??? They would stick out an inch further?
1/2 inch wider and 3/8 inch further away from the frame.

If correct, then quite a difference???

offaxis

So is that a big deal?

jvsteyn

Maybe, maybe not.
Totally depends on the car.
For a corvette as an example, would probably be a good thing.

markids77

I have a set of these exact rims on my 1977 with 225/70s mounted and they fit beautifully, and look really nice. They are wide enough that I wish I had gone with a 235/70... but that's just my preference. Many people will suggest a 60 series tire for added performance but (again) I prefer to fill the wheelwell with the taller sidewall; I think the cars look best with the tires as the factory released them.

worship79

Good to know and thus we're good to go