54 wheel color

[Keith J.]

I have finally found the correct wheel for my 54 spare tire. I have a sportsman red car. I need to paint the spare rim. I am color challenged. Is the correct wheel color sportsman red or some other red? Thanks for any help!

[Steven N.]

Re: 54 wheel color

Early '54's were painted Sportsman Red on both sides and later '54's were black back's with sportsman red fronts, painted with enamel. The current formula being used by paint stores for Sportsman Red is Wrong. Start with '54 target red and tint. Good luck.................

[Troy P.]

Re: 54 wheel color

Your reply implies that all 53's had red backs rather than black as well. Did they? At what point in 54 did they change?

I thought the wheels always came painted black from Kelsey Hayes (probably dipped) and Chevy only painted the front. Seems logical to save paint and thus money.

[Steven N.]

Re: 54 wheel color

To my knowledge , all '53's were all red wheels and I have seen '54's as late as about #740 painted all red.............

[Brett H.]

Re: 54 wheel color

Concerning 53's, it's been my experience, having restored several 53's, that the back side of the wheels "do" have an amount of black paint. I have seen originals. The overspray from the red covers most of the black. The fronts were sprayed red while the back side received the overspray that went through the lug holes and area around the rims inner edge.

I also have a powder coat code for the correct Sportsman Red for wheels.

I hope this helps.

[Keith J.]

Re: 54 wheel color

Concerning 53's, it's been my experience, having restored several 53's, that the back side of the wheels "do" have an amount of black paint. I have seen originals. The overspray from the red covers most of the black. The fronts were sprayed red while the back side received the overspray that went through the lug holes and area around the rims inner edge.

I also have a powder coat code for the correct Sportsman Red for wheels.

I hope this helps.

It helps! Thanks a lot.

Keith

[Keith J.]

Re: 54 wheel color

To my knowledge , all '53's were all red wheels and I have seen '54's as late as about #740 painted all red.............

Thanks a lot!
Keith

[Keith J.]

Re: 54 wheel color

Your reply implies that all 53's had red backs rather than black as well. Did they? At what point in 54 did they change?

I thought the wheels always came painted black from Kelsey Hayes (probably dipped) and Chevy only painted the front. Seems logical to save paint and thus money.

Thanks for your info!
Keith