MOM's MAD
Wheels
It took a little checking to make sure they all fit well. The '80 Trans Am rear end is a little wider than the original and we wanted to make sure the tires were tucked in in the back. The rim spacing clears pretty good in the front but it may limit lowering the car to have enough clearance. The car could have tolerated 5" or maybe a little more back spacing to help in the front.
Why these wheels? We were looking for the proper wheels and we wanted a great set of vintage style wheels for the best match on a Tri-Five! This is not easy! No billets were even considered as face facts guys, they just do not belong on a Tri-Five! The Hopsters were well priced w/o being obseen! We had looked into a set of reproduction Hurst wheels (from the '60s) but we were not impressed in the quality and finish of the wheels (side of the spokes were unpolished) and the $1700 price tag was an unreal for what you got. Want more details? contact us.
YEA EVERYONE said the '80s Pontiac Trans Am 15x8 Honeycomb wheels had to go!
TIRES
Front 245/45ZR17 g-Force T/A® KDWS 25.7" tall 9.6" wide as installed
Rear 255/50ZR17 g-Force T/A® KDWS 27.1" tall 10.4" wide as installed
(same size tire on '94-'96 Chevrolet Impala SS)
(old wheels were '80 Trans Am honey comb 15x8 wheels and Goodyear Eagle 245/60-15 tires)
*we really wanted to install the KDW tires but they are simply not available in a large enough diameter to fill the back wheel well that is unique to the 1955 Nomad ('56 & '57 don't have it). We really wanted a 16" tire to have more rubber sidewall height but these do not exist! I really got tired of searching!
Tires & Wheels were purchased at Scott's U-Save Tires & Wheels, 3530 Chicago Rd, Steger, IL 60475 708-756-3999
Thanks to John Judt for help provide his set-up to guide us with choosing the right wheel / tire sizing.
DETAILED INSTALLATION PICTURES will follow!
