Grandpa Car: 1979 Cutlass Thread

[DRIVEN]

Not sure yet on the size. My dad is getting ready to get some new skins for his El Camino before winter hits. He's running the same size rims. I was thought I would try to snag his old ones since they aren't completely worn out yet. Besides being a general cheapskate, I can't really justify a new set of tires on a car that never gets driven. The tires on the stock wheels now are 6 years old and have less than 1000 miles on them...what a waste. Here's his car for a reference.

I'll probably put the white letters in. I'm starting to fixate on the 2 spoke spinners.

 

[DRIVEN]

I racked up the Cutlass last night and pulled the rear wheels. I figured I'd just use it as a polishing fixture. Mount two wheels on the rear, start the car, pit it in 2nd gear, and start with 600 grit and work my way up to 2000. Then use some aluminum polish. The more I worked them the less pleased I was with the lip condition. Tough to tell in the picture but the wheel was spinning while I wet sanded.

I was unsatisfied so I quit and took them into the shop today. I chucked them up on our brake lathe and cleaned the lips. This got rid of 98% or the gouges and chips. It also let me reestablish the profile that had been damage in the past. (Sorry, forgot the camera so there's no pics on the lathe). After:

some of the imperfections I noticed after sanding. Should mostly disappear after the final polish.

Decided to blast the drums since they'll be somewhat visible now.

I'd better get back out and start sanding and polishing.

 

[DRIVEN]

Here we are after 3 hours. Started with 220, then 320, 600, 1500 (all wet), finishing it out with Heavy Metal polish. I may pick up some 2000 and do one more sand and polish but haven't decided. My back is starting to get sore.

 

[ElCaminoGRAN/SPORT]

Them came out beautiful i would ride them anyday.Real good job and just lookin at them I see why your backs hurtin ,they look like they took alot of sanding and bending over but im sure your pleased with the end result.

 

[DRIVEN]

Thanks. I'm planning to have tires by the end of the week. I'll mount them and drive it around the block to get everything settled so I can measure for how much I need to drop it.

 

[DRIVEN]

Took my hand-me-down tires to work and mounted them up today. Lug nuts are on their way from Summit.

 

[DRIVEN]

On the car!

The stance needs to definitely get altered. I was initially thinking a 2" drop but now that I have them on the car maybe 1" would be enough. I don't want it to rub if I have passengers. I'm also thinking that a set of 2 spoke knock-off style spinners are in order. Suggestions?

 

[TURNA]

Those sneakers are tooooooooooooooo smalllllllll in the back!!!!!!

rims look great!

 

[DRIVEN]

Exact same diameter as the factory stock tires. My driveway is a bit uneven there. You sure the car isn't just too tall 🙂 ?
A similar angle:

 

[Blake442]

Looks great!