Rader Rims

[jerzee908]

I know something is worth whatever someone will pay......but am I out of line thinking these are worth at least over $1,000?  I do not see these often and I am actually shocked I have a set.  They need some work obviously, but they are not cracked or heavily damaged.  These are the Sears & Roebuck Rader rims that I believe are from the 60's?  

[mr.elmwood]

There are enough "period correct" people out there that would want these. The question then becomes, in what condion? Hum? If I wanted them, I would want them all nice and restored. The closest place I have for restoring them is a four hour one way drive.

[jerzee908]

---

@jr-41fordwrote:

Looking at the website of the link you provided, it appears the rims are very rare. Now the question is, who would be a potential buyer for them? To be honest, I do not know, but I do not care for them. I like the ribbed wheels much better. 

I remember the Fenton products products. Found this link to the HAMB about Fenton wheels.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/why-you-should-not-run-fenton-mags.34158/

---

Okay......I found out some more information today.

I found a wheel shop on the West Coast that has a set exactly like mine in just as bad shape and want $400 (plush shipping) for a set of 4.  Them being the Sears version (made by Wheel Corp under Dick Rader/Mickey Thompson) makes them a lot more rarer and more valuable, but the M/T ones with the single rib are the most popular and also fairly valuable.  If mine were perfect......they would be worth $1500-$2000 to someone.

There is a set of Rader wheels up for sale for auction on ebay right now.........it has a few bids and over 30 people watching......... (these look really good and are not the Sears wheels).

I'll look into getting them restored and see if it makes sense (money wise) to do so.......

[jerzee908]

---

@mr.elmwoodwrote:

There are enough "period correct" people out there that would want these. The question then becomes, in what condion? Hum? If I wanted them, I would want them all nice and restored. The closest place I have for restoring them is a four hour one way drive.

---

The original Batmobile had Rader Rims (not the Sears ones obviously).  George Barris and Dick Rader had a falling out, so Barris removed all of the Rader Rims from the Batmobiles and had them replaced (another fun tidbit I learned today).  I agree that most people are going to want them restored.  I work out of a speed shop and we have plenty of customers that want everything period correct and use nothing but NOS stuff on their cars.  

[mr.elmwood]

I had some sort of clutch assembly for a yard tractor, couple years back. I was into it for nothing. As-is, it was only worth the price of postage. $40 worth of machine work and I sold it for $175. I was $100 ahead making it customer ready.

[jr-41ford]

---

@mr.elmwoodwrote:

There are enough "period correct" people out there that would want these. The question then becomes, in what condion? Hum? If I wanted them, I would want them all nice and restored. The closest place I have for restoring them is a four hour one way drive.

---

What Mr. E says is very accurate, "period correct" people wanting them. eBay and Hemmings would be excellent venues to advertise them for sale.                                              

[legitimate_bidder]

The question is, JR, would they bring enough to justify the cost of restoration and shipping? Nice set of 4 on here now with 2 days left on the auction, and they're at $202.

These weren't the nicest-looking wheels of the day. IMO, one can go period-correct and get much nicer-looking wheels.

If they were mine, I'd list 'em as-is. Let the buyer do what he wants with 'em. Probably come out better that way, than investing in the restoration oneself.

[jerzee908]

I'm a fan of Cragars myself.  I'm not sure if I'm gonna sell them.  I still want to get a price on restoring them.  I do work for a speed shop that has a machine shop in the back where I can get most of the work done.  They would have to be taken apart to restore correctly (Its a steel ring with an aluminum center held by two rivets).  I'm leaning towards selling "as is" because if I do keep them, they are gonna end up sitting around like a bunch of other things I have.

[jr-41ford]

I wouldn't restore them, like you say, there are much better looking rims. I would list them as is too and let someone else do the restoration. 

I like American Racing wheels, makers of the Torque Thrusts and the Saltflats. I forget which brand I have on my 35 Ford, thought they were Torque Thrusts. Thinking Eagle and I'm too lazy to go look.