The Evolution of My Custom PT Cruiser Panel Van’s Wheels
Every custom car build has a story, and for my PT Panel Cruiser—the world’s first diesel PT Cruiser panel van—wheels have played a significant role in shaping its style and performance. From the original factory chrome wheels to banded steelies and, most recently, a unique vintage-inspired setup, here’s a look at how the wheels on my one-of-a-kind PT Cruiser have evolved over the years.
Starting Point: The Factory Look
When I first bought my Chrysler PT Cruiser Limited, it came with the standard six-spoke chrome wheels. After converting the car into a panel van in 2013, I kept these wheels for a while, and they looked great. But as any car enthusiast knows, customization never stops—and the first thing I wanted to change was the wheels.
The Banded Steelie Era
Since I was going for a vintage Sedan Delivery style with a touch of hot rod influence, I opted for banded steel wheels to give the car a more aggressive stance.
- Front: 8-inch banded steel wheels
- Rear: 8.5-inch banded steel wheels
I originally had them powder-coated pillar-box red, but they came out too red. To get the right tone, I sprayed over them with candy orange, which resulted in a unique, deep finish. To complete the look, I added Atlas white-wall inserts, which gave the car that classic hot rod vibe.
While the look was stunning, the white-wall inserts weren’t very durable, and after a few failures, I removed them altogether. For a long time, I ran the candy red wheels on their own, and they suited the car’s menacing stance.
A Wheel Mishap & a New Set of Rims
After pulling the van out of winter storage, I had an unfortunate incident on my first outing—swerving to avoid an inconsiderate driver, I clipped a curb. The impact damaged both the front and rear wheels on the right-hand side.
I planned to get them refurbished, but I hit two roadblocks:
- No one could match my custom color.
- I needed wheels quickly for Wheels Day.
Luckily, I had a backup set of wheels in storage—Rota D154 Gen 1s, measuring 8 inches wide all around. While they weren’t staggered like my previous setup, they fit perfectly under the wheel arches, especially with the air ride (more on that in a future video).
Bringing in Some Vintage Flair
I didn’t want to run the Rota wheels in their standard form, so I added a touch of retro style:
- Custom chrome wheel nut covers
- VW Beetle/Type 2 Bus Tristar center caps
I had bought these caps years ago with the intention of using them for shows, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to bring them out. The combination worked incredibly well, giving my PT Panel Cruiser a unique, vintage aesthetic.
A Fun Twist: Soda Can Center Caps!
While the Tristar center caps were perfect for shows, I didn’t want to risk someone walking off with them while I was parked in public. So, for daily driving, I decided to try something different—and discovered an unexpectedly perfect match:
🛠 Soda cans as center caps!
I found that beer cans, Coke cans, and soda pop cans happened to match the color of the pinstriping and signwriting on the van perfectly. It was a simple, fun, and creative solution—and honestly, they look amazing!
What’s Next?
Customization is never finished! My PT Panel Cruiser is an ongoing project, and the next big update will be the air ride installation. Stay tuned for that in an upcoming video!
If you enjoyed this story, give it a thumbs up, subscribe to my channel, and follow along as I continue to modify Preston & Tucker, my custom PT Cruisers.
🚗💨 Happy days!
