15 Ralley ii with a smaller 14 center?

[A390GT]

I picked up a set of 5x5 15inch ralleys and didn’t realize they had a smaller 14 inch center section.
I measured and they are a 15 inch rim with a 5x5 bolt pattern
Did these come with or without a trim ring?

The date code indicates it was made sept. 13 1968 JJ

[694.1]

I think in '67, 14 inch R IIs were a 1 year only for the Full size cars. Makes sense that in '68, they may have not graduated to a "real" 15 inch wheel but upgraded the 14 inch center.
Cool, regardless.

[A390GT]

I grabbed the 15 inch trim rings off the 15x7 I have on the Catalina 2dr.
They do fit, the 15x6 with the small center they just show all of the smaller center. (Lower 2) unlike the bigger center 15
I’ll paint these up and run these until I can find 2 more of either style.

Anyone know the tire size they run on these? I’m going to put these on the wagon.

[muscle_collector]

i ran the JY code 15 with the 14 center (often mistaken for the JW)on my trailer for years and ran 235 75 15

[north]

I'm not sure I understand this. Are you saying that the earliest 15" 5x5 rally wheels used a smaller "flange mating area" than later ones?

From the pictures I see that the lower ones look like the lug holes are out at the edge of the mating surface, while the upper ones look like the holes are centered.

I'll look at mine tonight, curious now.

[A390GT]

North,
the center section is smaller on the early 15’s it measures like 12 1nches compared to 13 or so for the later 15’s
You can see the difference inside the trim ring. You can see the gap in the inner and outer rim seam with the early rim

[A390GT]

I’d like to find another pair of the small center 15/6 because I think they will look good running with no trim rings.
Im picking up the 15x6 big center from the tire guy today. I just painted them and put 235-70/15 on them.

[A390GT]

Mounted 235/70 15’s

[Petegto]

I believe I have 2 of them I’ll check my garage tomorrow and let you know.
Peter

['ol Pinion head]

Have owned several dozen small center 15x6 Pontiac Rally II's (there is more than one application code).
Also like Gary ran quite a few on one of my open car trailers.

One thing to double check is the lug nut holes.
A TON of the 15x6 Pontiac Rally II's have stretched lug nut holes thanks to tire shop idiots with impact tools. One will even run across stretched lug nut holes on 15x6 Rally II equipped boneyard big cars that haven't been to a tire shop in 40 years!

[A390GT]

I went to spring Carlisle and walked around forever and found another small 15x6 and a large 15x6 for 50 bucks...
So now I have 3 of each.....

The other thing besides the lug holes is rust penetrating the weld seem on the backside.
I had one rim that looked good but was scary after it was dipped.

I’m Looking for another set of 15x7 for the wagon because they apparently look good on my dads car...
I might steal back the front 2 and do 6’s on the front and 7’s on the back of 2 cars

Pm me if you find them

[Petegto]

I have a set of 15x7’s if interested
Thanks

[A390GT]

Peter, Pm me with pics and prices.
How far upstate are you?

[Petegto]

Ok I’m in Utica NY about 50 miles from Syracuse east
I’ll take a few pictures toy and send them
Thanks

[Petegto]

15” rims 7” wide I have only 2 left.

[mjs5678]

Here's my 15" wheels on the 69 Catalina. I don't know how long these wheels were used.

[A390GT]

Mjs, nice.
Are your center sections smaller? I can see the grey around the edges.
I have the rounded trim rings on mine and it covers that section up.
I wonder if there are different style trim rings for big cars, or maybe that’s an A body 15 inch trim ring?

[mjs5678]

Yes they are the small center, I believe they are the wheels and trim rings original to the car.

[IIChileII]

interested !! please PM me with info

[IIChileII]

hey guys, just wanted to throw it out there, i have a 1968 GP that im looking for 14" or 15" rally II for. if anyone is holding and willing sell/ship, please PM me

[A390GT]

Still looking for 1
You may be able to find 14’s easier but all the big rally’s have disappeared or are super expensive.

[IIChileII]

thats what ive been hearing. Id like the 14 inch rallies, to be honest, my 1968 grand prix still has 4 wheel drums. if all else fails, ill have to buy some modern 17 inch replicas which is okay too i guess

[north]

One thing to consider before going to 17" wheels is that these cars were not designed for low profile tires. The high level of body flex in 60's cars and the hard ride of low profile rubber can be an issue, road conditions where you live can make or break the decision.

5on5 rally wheels II are hard to find because they were never popular on big cars to begin with but when they do pop up they aren't necessarily expensive, especially if they appear on Craigslist etc.

One of my Bonneville's has it's factory wheels and I was able to scare up some for my 4 door bonnie, took a while but not expensive, trim rings were also hard to find but eventually put together 5 rims and 4 nice trim rings.

First pic is my ragtop with its factory installed 15x6's

Second pic is the set I put together on my 4 door, trim rings are 69 correct, rims are, if my memory serves correctly, 1971-2 big car wheels 15x6 also but a touch less backspace resulting in a smidge of gap where the trim ring meets the inner wheel. Not noticeable unless you are studying them.

Both cars run Maaxis 235/70's, nice riding and looking tires. My Catalinas run the same sized Hankook's, they are half the price, ride nearly as nice but they don't have as much road contact (tread) width.

[SD455DJ]

One thing to consider before going to 17" wheels is that these cars were not designed for low profile tires. The high level of body flex in 60's cars and the hard ride of low profile rubber can be an issue, road conditions where you live can make or break the decision.

5on5 rally wheels II are hard to find because they were never popular on big cars to begin with but when they do pop up they aren't necessarily expensive, especially if they appear on Craigslist etc.

One of my Bonneville's has it's factory wheels and I was able to scare up some for my 4 door bonnie, took a while but not expensive, trim rings were also hard to find but eventually put together 5 rims and 4 nice trim rings.

First pic is my ragtop with its factory installed 15x6's

Second pic is the set I put together on my 4 door, trim rings are 69 correct, rims are, if my memory serves correctly, 1971-2 big car wheels 15x6 also but a touch less backspace resulting in a smidge of gap where the trim ring meets the inner wheel. Not noticeable unless you are studying them.

Both cars run Maaxis 235/70's, nice riding and looking tires. My Catalinas run the same sized Hankook's, they are half the price, ride nearly as nice but they don't have as much road contact (tread) width.

Hey North! What series Hankook's are you running? I need to replace the 235/75R15's on my '71 Bonneville and looking for a nice whitewall that is on the narrow side like the old Michelins on it now.

Dennis

[north]

I typo'd about my tires they are 235/75/15 (not 70). The maxxis tires have a about 13/16 " white while the Hankook is about 11/16" which is closer to the factory size white on big cars in 69 of 1/2 to 5/8". The Hankook is a Optimo H724. As I mentioned they are narrower in tread relative to better grade tires of the same size but I like the thinner white and I just checked, they are $80 each at walmart online with free shipping. Hard to beat that value. The Maxxis are more than double.

These two cars have the Hankooks, one drawback is that the whites are a bit yellow grey even when new, typical side effect of a tire being cheap. The Maxxis tires are gleaming white.

[SD455DJ]

Thanks North! That is good to know about the Hankook's. The old Michelin's sure were great tires and are probably 35 years old now! They need to be replaced this spring.

Dennis

[north]

My new Catalina I bought early this year has a really old set of Michelins, great tires but they are so old they are hard. No cracking because they got no sunlight and almost no miles but at 32 psi they feel ride like they have 50psi. You can feel the hardness when you sink a fingernail into the rubber.

[SD455DJ]

North, who makes the Maxxis line of tires?

Dennis

[north]

Maxxis is the name of the company. Korean company I believe. They make all kinds of tires but these tires are now considered specialty tires so limited distribution. Coker carries them