MTFCA Forum

Hopefully someone from the Model T "brains trust" can shed some light on these wire wheels which were attached to a 1927 T rear axle in some parts I collected this week. At first they looked like Model A wheels but they are clearly not. They are six lug bolt on wheels with welded spokes onto split ring rims. The rims are 20inch. The spokes are welded on the rim but poke through the hub. The six stud holes match the wooden wheel stud pattern on a Model T hub which is obviously why they were used on the T axle on a farm. The wheels were not attached with proper wheel studs or nuts. The hubs are like a more stubby Model T or A hub. They are quite neat wheels (three of the four seem good) so I thought I might use them on my T racer. They may be an easy fit. Once I know what they are, I can maybe track down a better fourth one, but for the moment, they are a bit of a mystery to me. Appreciate anyone's thoughts.

20" would push them into the late 20"s. They are lockring type wheels, the ones which demand a safety cage when mounting tyres, to be safe. They sure look nice.

Allan from down under.

I'm tempted to say "Dodge".... maybe.

Yes, I like them, too. Dodge are usually five stud, Chevy six. These are very heavy in the centres.

6 studs usually means Chevy, but those look to substantial to be a Chevy car. Maybe a GM ton truck? I thought Ford had a patent on that type wire wheel construction..

Perhaps they are not American at all - maybe European?

A close look shows they are not welded solid like Ford wheels. The inner ends of the rear wheel spokes look to have heads on them like a nail. Ford wheels are welded at each end. This, and the lockrings may mean they do not infringe any Ford patent

Allan from down under.

Thanks Alan, yes, I mentioned this in the first post and they can be clearly seen poking through the hub. A combination of two techniques. The hubs are quite solidly made.

I'm guessing they're from a large car. There were a great many auto makes in those days, and several major wheel makers, too.

Here's a few more...

https://www.justparts.com.au/parts-for- ... JPM3986161

They don't seem to know either...

I think the mystery is solved. The wire wheels look like they are from a 1927 Erskine - now I need one more to make a reasonable set! Thanks everyone. Shame the ones in Tasmania were sold...

The Erskine was a down market Studebaker, was it not? perhaps the same wheels were used on some Studebakers, thus widening the likely market for supply. The two Studebaker light sixes on our farm both were California topped sedans, with wooden wheels, so perhaps the wire wheels were for more expensive models.

Allan from down under.

Looks too heavy for an Erskine. Lincoln? Some Ford AAs had wire wheels, but not like those.

These wheels are made by Kelsey-Hayes in 1927-1929. They came in 18, 19, 20, and 21" versions under model designations K224 and K226. They are listed coming as available factory equipment on 1928 (19") De Soto, 1927 Dodge Cabriolet (21"), 1927 Dodge Model 128 (19"), 1928 Dodge Models 128-140 and 130-140 (19"), 1928 (19") Graham-Paige, 1929 (20") Plymouth, 1928 (20") and 1929 (19") Studebaker, and 1928 (18") Wolverine.

The attached photo (from internet) is a 1927 Dodge Cabriolet, April 1927 through July 1927 production only, carrying the Kelsey-Hayes K224 wire wheels in 21" size, 36 spoke. I have 4 of these wheels in 21", with bolt pattern 6 on 5-3/4".

Jerry VanOoteghem wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 24, 2025 6:54 pm

I'm tempted to say "Dodge".... maybe.

Hmmm, didn't someone say "Dodge"???



(Thanks Tim! That's some great and detailed information!)

Thanks everyone - mystery solved! They look good on an Erskine! And they will look good on Heza Henry (if I can find one more wheel!) They should be quite easy to fit onto T wooden wheel hubs.

Yes, Graeme, they do look good on the Erskine. I missed that reference, but I now do find them listed for 1927 Erskine Model 50, K224 wheels in 20", and for 1928-1929 Erskine Models 51 & 52, K226 wheels still in 20". Chances of finding Erskine parts in my neck of the woods is pretty thin. Kind of the same for the the Dodge, which did not use 20" anyway. Maybe the 1928 Studebaker and the 1929 Plymouth would be more likely for 20".

Yes Jerry, you get the cigar for suggesting Dodge! I have always wondered what happened at Dodge to cause suspension of the 1927 Cabriolet after less than 4 months of production. I am not tied in with any real Dodge people, so maybe someone out there knows the story. / Tim