Hurst Wheels - Anatomy
 

I've seen plenty of pictures of cars sporting original Hurst wheels and pictures of them separately, but never any detailed photos of their unique features and construction. These wheels were only offered in the 14X6" size.

Having recently purchased a set of four original Hurst wheels I've taken the opportunity to take some photos of them up close. The set I purchased have never been restored and were still wearing a 45 year-old set of General bias ply tires.

Here's a picture of the set before I purchased them, sitting in the previous owners garage.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...urstWheels.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...rstWheels6.jpg

After removing the trim rings and having the tires dismounted I was pleasantly surprised to see two of the wheels still had the original Hurst warning stickers completely intact.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSC01604.jpg

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Very clean wheels for being nearly half a century old. The plating on the steel rims still looks nice and bright.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSC01606.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSC01605.jpg

Close up shot of the rivet heads inside the rim. Note there is some sort of sealing washer under the rivet head so modern tubeless tires can be used.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSC01607.jpg

Backside of the forged wheel center, surprisingly almost all of the inside edges of the forging are knife-sharp.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSC01615.jpg

The 'Hurst' logo is forged inside one of the spokes. The Harvey Aluminum logo can be seen as well. The wheel serial number was hand written in permanent ink inside on one of the spokes on every wheel in this set.

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http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSC01608.jpg

Note the steel tab welded to the rim so that the forged aluminum center can be fastened using 2 rivets at each spoke.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSC01611.jpg

You can see one of the five spring clips used to retain the trim ring here, it's tucked into a void inside the welded tab.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSC01628.jpg

Trim ring clip.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSC01626.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSC01627.jpg

Trim ring.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSC01622.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSC01621.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSC01623.jpg

There are 5 small holes in the backside edge of the trim ring right next to the spokes where the end of the wire clips nest to retain the ring. The trim rings tuck into a tightly engineered space in between the spoke and steel rim for a smart finished look.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSC01625.jpg

Original center caps with faded paint (the gold turns to green) and pitted chrome.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSC01617.jpg

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Original Hurst long-shank lug nuts, the ones that Hurst demanded be used or risk voiding the lifetime wheel warranty.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSC01619.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSC01618.jpg

Serial number stamped on the center of the wheel just under the center cap. What I would guess would be a forging number stamped as well.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSC01646.jpg

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSC01647.jpg

I measured the backspacing and it is 3.825", the thickness of the center from the wheel mounting face to the top where the center cap goes is 3.585".

Weighed one of the wheels on our shipping scale at work:

20.05 pounds for the bare wheel (with valve stem)

23.15 pounds complete with trim ring and flat center cap


http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/DSC01648.jpg

Very unusual and beautiful wheels, it's really not too hard to see why they are so coveted by hardcore Pontiac enthusiasts. :)

Some nice pics and info thanks for sharing. always loved that look

B-Man, love the scholarship on this!

Any idea of what basic rim they started with to make them?

I've heard it was an Olds A-body wagon rim...

Sooooooooo wish they had gone to the 15" before they gave up on them.

Looks really cool. I have been schooled b-man! Thanks for such great pics and explanations. I get it they are 14x6 and not made for the lateral loads we see today but still. Those rivets look like they would work loose in the hands of Ricky racer in no time. What kind of reliability did these things have? Would love to check the run out on an original set to see how how they have faired.

The Hurst wheels were over-engineered, very tough.

I wouldn't have any concerns about the rivets loosening up, plenty of older OEM wheels have the centers riveted to the rims with much smaller rivets.

The rims themselves appear to be much thicker than common OEM rims, probably made to Hurst's own specs.

Forged aircraft aluminum centers attached to a thick steel rim with huge rivets, these things will outlive their owners.

Thanks for taking the time to take the pics and giving a great lesson in History ....

any idea why they chose to use the American wheels later on?
http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/...s01-0611ae.jpg

The reason the Hurst Wheels were never a factory option was the unsprung weight. As Bart said, the wheels are way over engineered. Pontiac thought the same and asked George Hurst to lighten the unsprung weight to gain factory approval. George would not and therefore the wheels became a dealer installed option as an aftermarket wheel.

I would suspect, with the Hurst SSJ cars, the same could be true.

Thanks ! that is great info.

Doesn't someone now make replacement Hurst Wheels both in 14" & 15" ???

Very cool info! Thanks for taking the time to educate the forum members B-man. irgoatmike

and 17s...very nice

Has anyone ever seen a set of gold wheels? I have an original set that was giving to the guy I got them from by George Hurst himself. He was personal friends with him. It's my understanding that they were in house only and never sold to the public.

I had a gold one years age. I think individual wheels were part of a speed shop display. I just saw a pair of aluminum trim rings attached to a pair of 5" bolt pattern wheels at the Allentown swap meet last week.

GREAT PICS!
Are the Repro's any good?
Any problems?

Great job, With all the info needed. Thanks Bart.:first:

The only cars you ever see these wheels on are Pontiacs but they were made for several different car brands. I have some of the original fliers Hurst gave out for the wheels. I sent away for them back in the 1960's.

hurst dazzler
 

I believe that the Hurst Dazzler is the today closest wheel to the origional

The price is similar to rally II wheels also

I see the dazzler only in black or gold

i am looking for an all alum no color dazzle wheel does any one know if its available

i am going to call hurst today

thanks

Just be aware..... backspacing on the Dazzler is really not great....

Size: 15" x 7"
Bolt Pattern: 5 x 4.75"
Offset: -5mm
Backspacing: 3.78"