You Can't Make This Stuff Up!

[Lee Stewart]

1968 was the first model year that Chrysler made 15" wheels standard when you ordered the HEMI. There was no 15 "mag" wheel option in 68 so if you didn't want the standard hub caps you could order these 15" wheel covers from the Monaco/Polara. Only one hiccup: you had to have ordered PFDB. Not available for HEMI cars with Drum/Power Drum Brakes. Those got the hub caps.

[Lee Stewart]

The infamous "Recall" wheels. Chryslers stillborn attempt to offer a 14"/15" aluminum wheel. The wheels were cancelled months before the Charger Daytona made it's debut so they are not correct for this car. But they could have been ordered on an R/T or a Charger 500.

[Lee Stewart]

So Chrysler still doesn't have a 15" mag" wheel for it's HEMI cars. Right after the recall Chrysler once again made the Monaco/Polara 15" wheel covers optional

[Lee Stewart]

We got any Paul Harvey fans here? And now . . . the rest of the story . . .

As per a letter dated September 13, 1968 to all Dodge dealers, all cars that have been delivered to the dealership with W23 wheels (14" and 15"), the dealer is to remove them (all 5) and replace them with (4) 14" Chrome Road Wheels and as ordered tires along with a matching sized plain wheel spare. The 1969 models would be available for sale September 19, 1968.

The wheels on this HEMI Charger 500 are 1968 style not 69. They should have trim rings.

[Lee Stewart]

So if you go to a car show and see a HEMI 1969 Charger R/T, Charger 500, Coronet R/T or a Super Bee and it's wearing 14" Chrome Road Wheels, instead of thinking "those are the wrong wheels" you might inquire if the car was ordered with 15" W23 Styled Road Wheels (Recall Wheels).

This 1969 Charger 500 has the correct 14" Chrome Road Wheels - it's just not a HEMI.

NOTE: I assume that Plymouth had the exact same program.

[Lee Stewart]

Looks like we're going to have to blast.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Lee Stewart

I regret that I have but one "thanks" to give to this...

K

[Lee Stewart]

I want to thank all of you for steering me onto those subjects that warrant a thanks. I aim to please and I need your help. I try new subject matter - some are embraced by you while others fall by the wayside. I still want to experiment and will continue to do so. So when you feel the post deserves a thanks, hit that button!

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Lee Stewart

Looks like we're going to have to blast.

PSA:

I just had something similar to this happen with the car skates.

I was dragging the Chevelle sans power train out of the trailer and into the garage to receive its new motor. I didn't know this but if the rear wheels are free to rotate they will come off the car skate and wedge the skate between the tire and rocker in the wheel opening like this rock.

I was able to quickly straighten the rocker out and cover it with some black vinyl so it's barely noticeable but the moral of the story is the rear wheels do better by being locked either by being in park or with the park brake (neither of which were available to me).

Having the axles locked together via a spool probably didn't help, either.

K

[Lee Stewart]