Disc-Style Funny Car Wheels

[M.R. Ogle]

Okay, so I found these plastic disc-style front wheels/tires for my nostalgia funny car:



They're from DuBro, they're actually vintage airplane wheels, I just sanded the "spokes" off them:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wt ... LXKLV2&P=7

Anyway, they're a good size, they're a featherweight 4.5 ounces each, and they'll look pretty good after I paint them flat aluminum silver.

The downside is...

I was going to chuck these up in my lathe and bore the holes out for a set of 5/8" OD bearings, and put 18 little round "dimples" around the perimeter to simulate the old Cragar Super Tricks... but my little hobby lathe won't handle anything that diameter...DOH!!!

[Bryant]

Mike that is going to look "SUPER TRICK" No pun intended. How thick is the hub area for the bearings? That is the same size tire and wheel as my F/C.

[M.R. Ogle]

I didn't get a measurement on the thickness of the wheel at the center, but I'd say it was over 1 inch. I will have to use longer 1/4" stub axles with these particular wheels.
I already sent them on a trip to a machinist who is going to ream the center holes out for flanged bearings. Of course, I'll post pics when they're painted up and mounted.

If anyone wants to see a gazillion photos of funny cars wearing this type of front wheel: http://www.70sfunnycars.com/

[mad62]

hi mike,
how did you get on with the wheels,were they able to be reamed out for the bearings?

mike

[M.R. Ogle]

Yep...I got them back from machining today, I'll have them on the car by the weekend, and I'll post pics. They definitely have the "spirit" of the old Cragar "Super Tricks", the first generation "disc" wheels before the Centerlines came out.

[Bryant]

Awesome Mike O. that's going to look COOL!

[M.R. Ogle]

Oooops...Easter Holiday.

Okay, maybe I'll get my stub axles on Tuesday.

[M.R. Ogle]

Got them on... Thanks to John Foster for his machining help with these. He even tapped around the edges to fit tiny little 2-56 steel buttonhead screws.
Finally, the vintage Funny car has "period-correct" style wheels.

[Mike Casey]

those look great mike!!! Very cool!

[mad62]

hi mike,
those really finish off the look of the car,
these would look good on a 1/4 scale dragster also,how hard are the rubber tyres on these rims,
thanks for the great ideas,

cheers mike

[M.R. Ogle]

They're actually "sealed" foam. so they're not as hard as solid rubber. But they roll fine, nice and quiet!

[Bryant]

Wow that looks great Mike, John does good work. I really like Nostalgic Drag Cars. AWESOME!!!! Hey that's the same Wheels on Tripp Shumate's 79' Plymouth Arrow.

[Juiced Drag Racing]

Very, Very Cool!!!!!


Great Job!!!


Juiced