Which 17" wheels for West Coast Cobra

[Joe Z]

Hello All,

I am looking for some input that will help me choose new wheels and tires. I am interested in upgrading from the 15x7 front and 15x8 rear wheels on my West Coast. The rear wheel is a bit unstable with a wide(295) tire. I've tried 15x10 American Racing Torq-Thrust IIs and couldn't get them around my rear disc brakes. So now I am considering 17" wheels, but Vern at West Coast says it will be difficult to get a similar overall height. My 295/50/15s are 26.7 tall and just barely fill the wheel well of the West Coast.

What are other West Coast owners using? Does anyone know if the West Coast wheel well is larger than other models? Is there anyone out there with 17s on this kind of car? If so, what backspacing and tire sizes are you using? How do they look?

BTW, I am going to try a less traditional wheel than the Halibrand style. I am currently looking at one of Boyd Coddington's wheels. I am going for a bit of the "custom rod" look.

Thanks for your help

[MAXVELO]

CHECK MY GALLERY, ILL HAVE TO GET YOU THE SPECS LATER IF YOUR INTERESTED. JOE, HOW BOUT LOADING SOME PICS IN YOUR GALLERY?

[Joe Z]

Thanks for the reply,

Your car looks great!!! Do you have any side pics with more of your wheels? Which wheels are you using? and what are the specs for wheels & tires?

I really like your paint job. Where did you get those trick roll bar Bezels? I need a set of 3" bezels badly and am looking for a solution.

I'll work on putting some pics in my gallery. I'll let you know when I'm done.

Thanks,

Joe

[FattyBri]

I am using 17 Bullet replicas. 17x9 front with 17x10.5 rear (315/35 Nitto drag radials)








Going on a FFR, not sure if they would fit your setup.

[MAXVELO]

Joe, My wheels were custom made by Weld Racing. They are on a one off set they made for the car when they owned it. Ill get you the specs and reply them tommorow. the last picture in my gallery is a side shot of one of the wheels by itself. They perform great and personally I think they look better than any (size) combo Ive seen on any West Coast car. The car is so wide that average wheels look way too skinny!

[Joe Z]

Thanks for the pics, and nice wheels, FattyBri.

Sorry Max, I missed the second and third pages of your album last time. Those are great looking wheels, nice and wide. Perfect for the wider West Coast car. Did you make those roll bar bezels?

Did you see the Summit catalog this month? That guy has 14" wide wheels in the back. I wonder how much I can cram under my fender.

I added a few pics to my album. Right now the body is getting repainted and the engine is getting stroked. All I need now is the right tire/wheel combo. I feel like I'm creating a monster!

[sllib]

Joe;
If you like the Torque Thrust D's take a look at Vintage Wheel Works' web site. They have the D type and the original straight -cut five spoke wheels that were popular in the '50's and '60's. I have a set in 17 x 8.5 and 17 x 11 but I haven't mounted them yet. They're great looking wheels.
Bill Stradtner

[bibt1272]

Take a look at BACK IN BLACK WCC. He has 17" wheels.

[bibt1272]

West Coast Cobra owners check this out
Vern from WCC. just sent me a web site of a company that has modified the cobra into what they call the Venom roadster.
Has tilt frontend, air bag suspention, modified dash,trunk,gas tank,and dash. The tilt frontend is hydr. Will be finished to show at Knotts berry farm. http://www.westcoastperformancecente...nom/index.html

[MAXVELO]

looks better than the "NEW" Ford Cobra, but Ill pass. It looks ike a ViperCobra with all the interior mods and tilt hood.

Joe, yes I did make the rollbar bezels as I also made the rollbar. I felt the standard size would look too skinny on the West Coast car. I didnt like the idea of leaning over the car to put gas and then dripping it all over the car when done. The full size bar didnt appeal to me much either.Your car seems to be a pretty nice machine. The wheels you choose will make all the difference of how your car looks. Measure twice, pay once!

[cwmcobra]

I've just taken my first drive in my West Coast that's been under construction for 3 years. Check out my gallery for pictures including the 18" custom wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport tires. 275/35ZR18 fronts and 345/35ZR18 rears. I'm looking forward to testing their traction!

Chuck

[MAXVELO]

CMW your paint is exceptional! Good job!

[N2VENOM]

I am cutting (CNC) 20" and 18" knock offs for one of my 3 West Coast Cobra's. I will be posting pictures on our web site by april 15th. You will be able to see them at the Knotts show. Thanks Darren www.wcpconline.com

[Joe Z]

CWM,

18s look great on your car. Nice paint scheme, too. Do you remember the width and backspacings you used. I plan to measure my own, but would like a reference number to keep me in line.

[Joe Z]

Max,

Measure twice..... good advice.

Chuck, does your front tire rub on the inside during turning?

Thx

[cwmcobra]

Front Wheel: 10" width, 5" frontspace, 5" backspace
Rear Wheel: 13" width, 5" frontspace, 8" backspace.

This keeps all tires a bit inside the fender wells. I've seen many cars, especially West Coast, with the front tires a bit outside the wheel well and don't like that.

The front clearance will be very tight, but I'm pretty optimistic that they won't rub. The front tires do not rub as of now, but I haven't had the front end aligned yet. Stay tuned for that confirmation. I did a custom modification to relocate the coolant overflow bottle to a higher position in the wheel well to provide clearance there.

Any other questions, just ask.

Chuck

[Joe Z]

That's an awesome amount of tire. and it looks great.

Thanks

[Joe Z]

CWM,

How was your maiden voyage?

Joe

[cwmcobra]

I've driven the car three times now and love every minute. Just around the subdivision checking it out until its inspected and I can apply for the title. Its ready as of today and I've called the State Police to make an appointment. Ready to hit the road!!

Of course, it supposedly takes 6-8 weeks to get the title....that's why I want to get the process started ASAP!!

I even washed it today and ready to apply some InvincaShield

Chuck