1940 Ford wheels?
 

I have two 6.00 x 16" Ford wheels with dates of 11-18-40 and 11-19-40 stamped on the wheels. Would I be correct in assuming by the dates being so late in the year that they would be for use on 1941 Fords?

Re: 1940 Ford wheels?
 

Production of 1940 Ford passenger cars was for pretty much ceased by October, 1940.
So yes, you'd be correct in assuming your rims would have been installed on a '41 Ford.
Other than the date codes, the rim design is the identical to 1940.

Re: 1940 Ford wheels?
 

I was pretty sure that was the case and it makes sense.

Re: 1940 Ford wheels?
 

6" wide 1940 wheels? Are you sure? If they really are, they have to be rare commercial wheels, and are probably very valuable.

Re: 1940 Ford wheels?
 

My guess? The original poster was measuring the very outside width.

Re: 1940 Ford wheels?
 

If not a typo, then agreed, we should school them, wheels are measured inside the flange. The wheel will be stamped with the size near the date stamp also.
Paul J.

Re: 1940 Ford wheels?
 

Tire size 6.00 x 16 is my guess

Re: 1940 Ford wheels?
 

A good and reasonable guess for certain.
I'm going with my theory still. The poster did state "wheel"- not tire.
Still, anyone's guess...

Re: 1940 Ford wheels?
 

Sorry, I just got excited. The wider steel wheels of the era are very coveted, and some with 1940 dates sounded like a real oddity.

Re: 1940 Ford wheels?
 

The wheels I was referring to in my original post are designed to fit tire size 6.00x16. :)

Re: 1940 Ford wheels?
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1649465446
1940 Ford Deluxe 16 Inch Wheel

Re: 1940 Ford wheels?
 

Ain't that pretty? It just so happens that that particular wheel/tire is the original spare out of a '41, although it is the same wheel as a '40. Note the "FORD" script on tire at about one o'clock! Coop


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Re: 1940 Ford wheels?
 

I have a ford script tire, well not mint like that one, but it is ford script !

Re: 1940 Ford wheels?
 

Note how the lugnut hole on the '40 and the '41 wheels have the normal
taper on the inside of each lugnut hole, but the '40 & '41 Wheels do NOT
volcano-out around each lug hole, as my picture of a '46 wheel below is,
but instead the '40 & '41 wheels are FLAT around each lugnut hole. ;)

Click on picture to Enlarge ;)

Re: 1940 Ford wheels?
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1649481463

1946 Ford Wheel Centre showing taper of Wheel Stud Holes - different from the 1940-1941 Ford Wheels. Lanny

Re: 1940 Ford wheels?
 

Good guess! Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Re: 1940 Ford wheels?
 

I got lucky ! ...once

Re: 1940 Ford wheels?
 

Since we are discussing "original" 40 wheels, I think this is a good place to ask the expert about the changes in 41. The way I understood it was the 40 wheel was 4" wide, with the drop center having square sides on front and back. But in 41 they were 4" with a square drop on the front and a taper on the back. What say you Kube?

Re: 1940 Ford wheels?
 

alchemy ....Do you actually have a 4-INCH wheel with drop center square in front, and tapered in rear? I have never seen a 16" (4" wide) Ford wheel like that. Coop

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Re: 1940 Ford wheels?
 

Tapered on one side are 4.5" wide I always thought. I had not ever noticed the different stamping around the stud holes though, so I have learned something new here

Re: 1940 Ford wheels?
 

That's exactly the way I have always understood it. And don't forget that the elusive '41 Merc wheels which are 5 INCHES wide also have the square front and tapered rear drop centers. Coop


1941 Merc 5" Wide Wheels-Two Pictures BELOW

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...3&d=1643577113


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...3&d=1649605945


Also notice that the '41 Merc has the five lug holes WITHOUT the "volcano" effect that "Lanny" mentioned in post #14. So, I'm GUESSING that the "volcano holes" came on the scene for the Ford Motor Co in '42, which I believe to be 4-1/2" wide. Coop

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Re: 1940 Ford wheels?
 

Yes, I do. About half and half of the 4" Wheels I have.

If anyone wants to trade me some 5" wide wheels for some of these tapered 4"ers I'd be up for it.

Re: 1940 Ford wheels?
 

Here's what I've got.

Re: 1940 Ford wheels?
 

alchemy....I can't imagine anyone wanting to trade for your 4" wide wheels, as the 5-inchers are RARE, RARE!


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...0&d=1649640062

And most folks looking for something other than the 'everyday' '40-'48 Ford sixteeens is looking specifically for 16" 5 X 5-1/2 with the "INSIDE nubbies" for the hub caps, with WIDER hoop!

Now you've got me wondering whether YOUR pictured 4" wheels might be '42-ONLY? I mean they have the "UN-volcano" lug holes and still 4" like '40 & '41, yet with the NEW tapered rear side of the drop center.

Another theory that I have is that the wheels with "UN-volcano" holes (earlier wheels) are Kelsey-Hayes wheels, and that the later 4-1/2" wide "VOLCANO" wheels are Ford produced, as all of those that I have seen have the Ford oval with script stamped between two of the lug holes, as below. Coop


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...2&d=1649706563


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Re: 1940 Ford wheels?
 

Oh I know, but you can't blame a guy for trying.

As for the 4"ers with the taper, I actually like them better than the square center wheels because mounting a tire is WAY easier.

Re: 1940 Ford wheels?
 

years ago, i bought a n.o.s. '40-'41 wheel (16"x4") with tapered drop center from joe mac (of ford obsolete). he told me it was a replacement sold over the ford parts counter after ww2. could be,huh?

Re: 1940 Ford wheels?
 

Something like that is entirely possible, as over-the-counter parts many times have similar features to later production features, if said part will fit & function properly and safely. But as many of these oddballs as "alchemy" has, there almost has to be more to the story. Coop

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