NOS 15x6 car wheel - one for the experts

[mbstude]

Studebaker never offered 15x6 wheels on passenger cars, yet we have one that is exactly that. Bolt pattern is 5 x 4.5”

Any ideas?

[studegary]

My guess is a half ton Scotsman pickup. The 4.5 bolt circle MAY preclude that (I don't remember).

[8E45E]

My guess is a half ton Scotsman pickup. The 4.5 bolt circle MAY preclude that (I don't remember).

The date code stamped is May, 1961; two years after the Scotsman.

Perhaps an Export truck?

Craig

[mbstude]

Trucks wouldn’t have used the 5 x 4.5” bolt pattern.

[RadioRoy]

Do you have a set of four?

[mbstude]

I wish. Only have 2 of them.

[70Avanti2]

There are no bumps for a hub cap. Are the slots for a clip that holds a hub cap on?

[52-fan]

Interesting puzzle. Car bolt pattern, but slots for caps like the trucks. Are the slots spaced the same as on the pickup wheels?

[mbstude]

Most of the 50’s cars used the hubcap clips, too.

[RadioRoy]

There are no bumps for a hub cap. Are the slots for a clip that holds a hub cap on?

Yup. That's 51-57 style. I wonder if this wheel was a service replacement of some type?

Maybe something for export as someone mentioned.

[studegary]

How are you sure that it is a Studebaker wheel and not some other brand?

[E. Davis]

How are you sure that it is a Studebaker wheel and not some other brand?

Wondering that myself.

[mbstude]

Is there another manufacturer that used the exact same wheel center section with the webbing between the lug stud holes, and the hubcap clip slots?

The wheels came with a large Studebaker dealership inventory we purchased last year in Ogden, Utah.

[r1lark]

Google search turned up a couple of hits for the Budd part number 44321-E-3:

Ebay auction for a Studebaker truck wheel: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1960-STUDEB...-/154080987524

An earlier SDC Forum post regarding this number found on a Studebaker truck wheel: https://forum.studebakerdriversclub....number-stamped

My guess, if this is truly a 4.5x5 pattern center, it is a Studebaker mid-'50s passenger car wheel center mated to the rim from a Studebaker truck. Back in the '60s & '70s there were several wheel places in my area that would modify wheels by putting a wider rim on your center, or cutting the rim and widening it to run wider tires. This was for us bucks down guys who couldn't afford the expensive California rims.

[gordr]

Would the Desert Explorer have used such a wheel?