1st Gen W body 14" wheels?

[55trucker]

I very recently came across some info I was never aware of.....

How many of you who have owned a Lumina (base model?) were aware that a 1st gen Lumina could be had with 14" wheels?

I was always under the impression 15" wheels were the base wheel diameter.......

 and will a 14" wheel clear the front calipers?

[White93z34]

I think it all has to do with the offset. I'm sure I've seen them before but never paid them any mind.

Back in the day I used to run a set of 15" steel wheels with snow tires in the winter on my z34. I seem to remember the wheels being somewhat specific so they didn't smash the brake caliper on install.

[Black92GS]

My 88 Regal had 14inch alloys from the factory, and the steel wheels I used to run my winter tires on were 14 inch as well...which I believe were originally from an 88 ish Lesabre. Still have those winter tires and wheels kicking around, and had them on the GS last winter for storage while the alloys were out being refinished. They fit without issue.  

I just automatically assumed they would fit any 88-93 1st gen with factory brakes. Brake Rotors on RockAuto start showing some different fitments for 94+ cars...with some showing they fit 88-96 models, and others showing that they only fit 94-96. Not sure if that's incorrect....or if so some of models/trims started getting the larger 1.5 gen setup up front at some point.  

So 14 inch wheels on 1st gens is something I was definitely aware of!

[55trucker]

Well, yeah, that's correct, W body 1st gen wheels are unique to the platform, one tries to install a 15" H platform wheel & it will not clear the caliper.

I've just laid up the car & I'm getting into a 12" front rotor/brake upgrade, it requires modifying the bracket welded to the strut to relocate the caliper further away & inward to accommodate a Crown Vic 12" rotor. 

I came across a couple of individuals in Wisconsin who do derby cars, these guys were advertising an adapter that is welded to the strut to replace the original adapter/caliper to allow 14" wheels to be mounted to a strut that is set up for 15" wheels. I was never aware that a 14" wheel could be fitted to the car because of the brake design.

I was trying to get some clarification on this adapter that they are producing & see if they can go in the other direction.......manufacture an adapter that allows a *larger* rotor to be fitted to the car for road going purposes.

I didn't get too far, I feel the individual at the other end wasn't *the sharpest knife in the drawer*.

They call themselves NLR Derby parts they're in Clayton Wisconsin

[Black92GS]

1 minute ago, 55trucker said:

Well, yeah, that's correct, W body 1st gen wheels are unique to the platform, one tries to install a 15" H platform wheel & it will not clear the caliper.

Now that you mention that....the steel wheels I had might have been from an A body instead. I seem to recall my father having originally bought wheels from 1 platform, but then exchanged them as they didn't fit. I thought the originals were from an A body, and then they were swapped for ones from an H body, but looking at the offset that each platform uses, it must have been the other way around.