Factory Wheel Options

[JMF]

Just wondering what different wheel options there were from factory on the 68-70's ? Any pics of the different examples ? I know in 68 the Bullitt style steels with hubcaps were one and also I assume magnum 500's ? Thanks

[Mike DC]

1969 Charger factory options:



The bottom right 15" wheels are known as the Kelsey-Hayes "recall wheels" because they were . . . wait for it . . . recalled. 

I don't know if Chrysler ever gave an official reason for the recall.  But it's assumed the KH wheels weren't strong enough.  (Maybe cracking around the lug holes or something.)  Today there are repros of those wheels, or at least there were for a while.   

It's been said that the other common aftermarket aluminum wheels of the time would probably have failed the same testing.  The factory's standards were pretty high.   

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Today you see a lot of body-colored steel wheels and little ("dog dish") hubcaps on the hi-po restored cars.



But in reality those cars never drove around looking like that back in the day. 

Those were the cheapest tire/wheels on the option list.  People ordered hi-po showy cars that way because they intended to switch to aftermarket wheel/tires immediately. 

[Kern Dog]

1969 Charger factory options:



The bottom right 15" wheels are known as the Kelsey-Hayes "recall wheels" because they were . . . wait for it . . . recalled. 

I don't know if Chrysler ever gave an official reason for the recall.  But it's assumed the KH wheels weren't strong enough.  (Maybe cracking around the lug holes or something.)  Today there are repros of those wheels, or at least there were for a while.   

It's been said that the other common aftermarket aluminum wheels of the time would probably have failed the same testing.  The factory's standards were pretty high.   

--------------------------

Today you see a lot of body-colored steel wheels and little ("dog dish") hubcaps on the hi-po restored cars.

But in reality those cars never drove around looking like that back in the day. 
Those were the cheapest tire/wheels on the option list.  People ordered hi-po showy cars that way because they intended to switch to aftermarket wheel/tires immediately. 

For good reason. The tiny hubcaps just don't look good to many people.
Yes, the Kelsey/Hayes wheels were supposedly recalled due to what you wrote....potential cracking around the mounting surfaces leading to possible unintended wheel removal...

[JMF]

Thanks for the replies

So just wondering these wheels on my 68 do you think they are the factory ones ? Thanks

[70 sublime]

I thought 68 magnum 500 rims were all chrome and did not have the trim ring ?

[John_Kunkel]

The factory Chrome Road Wheels prior to '69 had  a center that is made of polished stainless steel with chrome rims, later used a chromed center with the trim ring...neither is the same as the Magnum 500.

[JMF]

Yeah mine have the trim ring so I'm guessing mine are original to the car ?

[70 sublime]

On 68 the outside area of the rim was chrome and did not have a trim ring so those rims are 69 or newer

[70 sublime]