Wheels / Tires: New rims on old Champion wheel centers?

[Jefscoupe]

Anyone done this? My 48 Champion has the 4 lug wheels and the rims are rusted out pretty badly.
The tubes wouldn't last long in the shape they're in. Since they're a unique center design (similar to the so-called artillery wheels) I'd like to use them.
I have seen hotrodders take the centers out of wheels, turn them around for a "reversed" wheel.
Other places widen the rim for bigger tires. Why not use modern rims with my old centers?
What junk yard rims might work with the old Champion centers.
Or do I just need to go out with a tape measure and start measuring?
Or is it not worth doing? Better to find some good originals?

[48skyliner]

There is a company in Oregon that can weld on wider rims to any steel wheel - there must be someone in the southeast that does that -you are near to the center of the universe for low budget racing.
Just took off a set of 15 inch wheels from my 48 Champion with almost new tires, but unfortunately Seattle is on the opposite side of the universe from you.

[Mike Van Veghten]

Sure...done it several times. But the one company here in SoCal that did it for me, is I believe closed....the brothers that owned the shop were getten on in age.
This gives you the option of using a wider rim AND putting that rim/tire, exactly where you want it in the fenderwell...within the dimensions of the rim of course.

Look around, there shoud be someone close by.

Mike