Lug...bolts?
 

I was at a car show this afternoon with a '70 El Camino SS parked next to me. When it pulled out, I noticed the rear wheel was held on with hardware store bolts vs. lug nuts. That's a new one to me. :oogle:

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&d=1697866205

Many VWs and BMWs use lug bolts instead of studs with lug nuts.

Not sure exactly what’s going on with that SS though but whatever works I guess.

Our old VW had them. I was just thinking of what it took to make them work on this one.

It is quite odd to see that El Camino with those lug bolts.

I guess that’s one way to avoid the dreaded ‘spinning stud’ when they lose their press fit into the hub and you can’t get the wheel off.

They are grade 5 bolts. :eek: And they don’t seem to have the centering cones like german cars.

Well it looks to have drum brakes. They got it fixed however they thought would work.

Some backyard engineering going on there. :eek:

Wonder if it’s got a ZZ632 engine in it? Ya’ll wanna go for a ride?

Looks messy at the "washer" area. Reminds me of rims that don't (versus do) center-up on the axle hub.

VWs and Volvos use bolts. Hate 'em. Not so bad on a bug but for an SUV it's a real pain having to lift a heavy tire in place and holding it there while getting a bolt lined up and started.
Been looking for a 4-5 inch bolt to fit my wife's Volvo thread so I can cut the head off of it to thread into one of the holes as a starter lug. That way I just have to hang the wheel off it to get the others aligned and started.

My German stuff has bolts. I usually convert them to studs.

I'd like to see that ElCo do a few hard launches with those hardware store bolts. Should be entertaining. I bet they're doing a number on the lug openings on the rims.

WOW!! Right up there with compression fittings on brake lines!

Talk about sketchy! No way in the world would I trust those bolts, if he gets on it, those are going to shear right off.

Those actually look like Buick wheels to me.

I enlarged the picture to get a better look, and they definitely look like hardware store bolts with the holes looking mushroomed. Also those look like the correct SS wheels, as Buick wheels were chrome rims and spokes and had no trim rings. Someone spent more time doing this rather than repairing the studs the correct way. Scary being on the same road as this idiot.

The Buick rally spokes don't have a taper like that. I'm sure they're Chevy wheels.

Yeah, my brothers '51 Buick has 'em

Those are Chevy wheels. I have the same set in the garage.

Yep, YA's or AO's. 14x7 SSI wheels were originally made by Motor Wheel in Lansing MI.
Just like the Cutlass/442 black/chrome LZ coded version

Through the late 80's up into the mid 00's, had a BUNCH of nice ones & passed on MANY more that were damaged from idiots with impacts. Even 25 years ago, ton of the 14x7 SS I wheels exhibited wallowed out (stretched) lug nut holes. Something to examine before buying!

You think any of that actually happened with that set up?