Old style Kustom (with a K).

Sombreros:

K H:

K H on car:

I prefer the look of the KH wheels. As far as cleaning them, though, that is another matter. I am sure there are sealants nowadays that will make the job easier.

Good luck with the build. Wheel selection is a tuff one.

With the straight lines of the Caddy, I think the wires would fit it's 'personality' better ... LIV1S is right, keeping them clean will be a pain!

Did a quick search, and here's what I found in terms of mid-50's Caddy's with the two types of wheels...

'55


vs a '54 Caddy with wires ...

I personally like the Sombreros. But if you do wires they look good on the old Cads. I have a brand new set of 15" Dayton wires built for a Cadillac that I paid $2600 for and will sell for $1800 (it is a set of 5 wheels). If you are interested send me a message.

I have a '49 Merc Kustom, nosed, decked and chopped (4in in front and 5¼ in rear). I don't beleive in modern methods either. I have narrowed and Z'ed the factory frame to used wider rubber in back, and used FatMan spindles up front (a new way more expensive way of lowering the front without sacrifice on ride quality - in the old days they used to use the RH upright upside down on the left and the LH upside down on the right)I have a 9in Versailles diff w/disk and 67 TBird 4 piston calipers up front. I do however think it is better to dissimulate modern conveniences (disk brakes, AC, modern wiring and lighting, sound) I wouldn't dream of using anything else than a Caddy hupcap... on a 16 in wheel. Wires are for Chicanos (different breed)

Denis C. Yes, I agree with you that most wires easily gives the car a bit more lowrider-look, but I don't think these with so few spokes are typical of the chicanos often used small wheels. What I was thinking is that I really think the K H wires looks very nice, and gives the car some class, but the Sombreros might be more in line with the style of the old customs (and period correct)?

Just to expound a bit more on what I belive is the essence of the style. If we think of the early fifties when some of the classic cars were done they would use other components and accesories from cars of the same manufacturers ('52 headlamp rings on a 50 Merc)
In the early 90's when I purchased my Merk I did the show circuit and 2 cars stood out; Posies 37 3 window and ZZTop's Copperhead. These 2 cars were modified ever so slightly to a body style not produced that year (Phantom) As you walk by these cars they look like another hot rod then you stp and realise the subtilities. a 50 ford 3 window??, 16 in rims??, with a 312 Y block?? a TBird interior. As a whole the car is amazing yet nothing radical was done, the sum of the mods make it extraordinary.

That sound like something the PI members do to their Pantera or even a Mangusta without fear. Change the signal lights, or marker or taillights, or the grill work, or gauges, or seats, maintain the essence of the design without being radical.

Denis

I wish I had that 54' front bumper...