I HAVE WOOD SPOKE (VARNISED) WHEELS ON MY 23 STAR TOURING. WHAT COLOR SHOULD THE RIMS BE? I READ SOMEWHERE THAT SILVER WAS THE CORECT COLOR,IS THIS CORRECT? I ALSO NEED TO REPLACE THE RUBBER FRONT AND REAR FLOOR MATTS. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THERE IS SOMEONE WHO WILL MAKE THOSE MATTS OR WHERE I CAN BUY THE MATERIAL.
THANKS
ED

Ed
I've seen the rims in Silver and also in Black. The mat material you can also get from Restoration Supply. Call or write them and get their catalog the have a lot of small parts such as screws, fasteners matting, webbing etc for the cars in the 20's.

Ed,

This is the third post I have made regarding this subject as something was wrong with the site. The correct rim color is silver. Paint them with a good grade of of alumnum paint. They were orginally cadium plated. Look at the picture at the top of the web forum page. Ads are a good source to find out what what used on the cars when new. I would guess you car originally had black spokes as natural spokes were usually used on higher priced cars because they had to use a better grade of wood for natural spokes.

Bob

Bob:
As usual you are right on the money. What most people forget is that the Star/Rugby was designed to compete with the low price leader (Ford Model T). To compete in price they had to be frills free. You can still get your rims cadium plated but rustoleum aluminum does a good job of simulating it. I think natural spoke wheels look very good on the Star but they were not original. You could order replacement wheels from the dealer that were not painted and they could have been installed on the car.
Jan

Hi All....

Has anybody tried to have the rims powder coated?

This seems like it would be a good idea if it would stand up to the flexing with the split rim.

What are your thoughts?

Frank ---

Frank:
I have seen several T wheels power coated and depends on the powder coater. One looked real good and the other looked like it belonged on a hot rod. My biggest concern is touching it up after mounting the tires.
Jan

I used aluminum engine enamel, from Bill Hirsch, on my '23. It has a nice texture and doesn't rub off on your fingers after it's dried. Easy to touch up, too.
Don

Hi All. I have run my 29 Durant over four years with my silver powder coated split rims and wood spoked wheels fast and hard on all kinds of freeways here in San Diego. They still look just like new. I also had the splits powder coated on the 30 Durant 407 sedan that Yates sold me and I sold to Charlie Spits and he has driven that car quit a bit with no problem’s and getting a AACA first the first time out with the powder coated split rims. I highly recommend it. They sand blast them and some companies offer a clear coat as well. They will last forever. Later Lance Haynes