Wheel Identification

SSI wheels

     In 1965, Olds offered an optional wheel, but it was merely a standard stamped steel wheel that was chrome plated.

     Introduced in 1966 as option code P05, the Super Stock I wheel, pictured above right, was the first real custom wheel option for Oldsmobile intermediates. This 5 spoke stamped wheel had a chrome rim, shiny chrome spokes, and black painted inserts around the lug nuts and the five small slots, and was only available in a 14" X 6" size that will not clear front disk brake calipers. This wheel used a chrome center ornament, featuring a red rocket on a black background applied to the middle, but used no trim ring. The original GM part number for this wheel was 393822, and had 795C stamped on the inside of the rim. Late in '66 the wheels were stamped with 795JK (JK is a heavy duty designation found even on some plain steel wheels). Also late in '66 GM was having problems with the black paint adhering to the slick chrome surface of the wheels, so they began "blasting" the center section of the wheel, which gave the chrome on the raised spokes more of a dull finish. A later disc brake version of the early wheel was offered with the code 810JK stamped inside the rim, but is difficult to find as few disc brake cars were produced. This wheel will have a different contour to the back inside rim area for brake caliper clearance.

     Later versions, starting in 1970, were offered in a 14" X 7" size. This new wheel does fit disk brake cars, and is very similar to the first wheel but will look slightly different. For starters, the only portion of the wheel that is chrome is the center area, the rest of the wheel (i.e. the back and outer rim) was painted gray or black. This wheel also used a polished stainless trim ring to hide the black painted rim. This wheel used the same center cap as before, and the original part number was 406070 and stamped with 810.

     While this wheel is similar in appearance to the Chevy SS396 version, closer inspection reveals that they are not the same. For starters, the Chevy wheel is finished in a frosted chrome, or dull chrome producing a matte appearance (wheel could possibly be painted rather than chromed also). The Olds wheel is done in bright or fully polished chrome (but remember the center is now blasted, but the chrome is still smoother than the Chevy wheel). The Chevy wheel can be used in a pinch, as the only difference in ornaments is the "SS" or "Rocket" decal in the center. Look closely at the photos below to see the comparison. The Olds wheel is pictured with a chrome rim, minus trim ring, and the Chevy wheel is pictured with trim ring in place. Also included below are photos of Buick and Pontiac wheels just to show the subtle and not so subtle differences. (Photos courtesy Coker Tire - Coker Olds wheel is not blasted in center section)

Chevy SS-396	Olds SSI
Buick	Pontiac

     In 1971, Olds issued yet a third version of this wheel. It was fully chromed like the early wheel (pictured below), but was in the more popular 14" X 7" size, and would fit disk brake cars, but finding one is hard. Appearently they were only offered on Cutlass Supreme SX models which had a low production run that year, but we cannot confirm this. Center hardware is the same as the other SSI wheels. This rim is referred to as 1971 SSI type 2 (type 1 being the wheel above).

     1972 was to be the final year for the SSI wheel, and it went out with little fan fair. GM dropped the Full chrome version, and offered only the Type 1 (the second edition of the wheel). As before it used all the same hardware, and trim ring.

     There has been rumor of a 15" wheel being offered, but I've never seen one, and assume it is related to the Lochness monster and the Olds solid main-web 403ci block, as none have never turned up anywhere that I know of.

71 SSI Type 2 Photo Courtesy Texas442.com

70-72 SSI Type 1 Photo Courtesy Texas442.com