Fisher Body Craftsmans Guild Tires

[G Davis]

Would anyone on the forum happen to know where I might be able to locate a set of four tires for a (1968) Fisher Body model? The tires were 2 1/16" dia.x5/8" wide with a rim hole dia. of 1 1/16". I would also be interested in any modern tire/rim combo of similar dimensions that may be available as a replacement if the originals are not available. I am restoring my model and any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks , Greg Davis

[george 53]

Welcome Greg, Fisher Body was a coach building firm before it became an assembly division of G.M. They built bodys for different G.M. Plants. If you could be more specific, such as WHAT make/body style your working on ,it would make it alot easier! But you HAVE come to the RIGHT PLACE, somebody here has the answer!

Edited May 14, 2009 by george 53

[Guest Davkin]

You're misunderstanding him George. The Fisher Body Craftsman Guild was a program where GM gave a very basic set of materials, (just tires and a block of wood IIRC.) to young people and they were encouraged to come up with their own styling exercise from those materials and then competed in a judged contest. I have no idea where one might find a set of those wheels now though.

David

[george 53]

DUHHHHHHHHH. Thanks Dave. You know, I worked at Fleetwood,Fisher Body Plant in Detroit for 11 years before I transfered to Poletown, Det/Hamtramck Cadillac Ass.Div.Just before you went out the front doors of the Fleetwood Plant, there was a showcase where they would put the competeing designs on display. I had TOTALLY forgoten about them till you mentioned it! Thanks fer joggin the ol noggin!!!

[malcolm webster]

Just repeating an earlier request for 4 rubber wheels to put back on my Craftsmans guild model long since lost. My model won first place in Australia in 1968 and landed me in Detroit for the Design convention and awards Ceremonies.

on top of that, my model also won One of 5 international styling awards.

the centres of the wheels were cut out and replaced with metal 'mags' made from brass sheet, strip and tube, soldered together and chrome plated.  I am donating my car to the Australian National Motor Museum in South Australia near where General Motors produced their Holden engines.

little work is needed on the model to restore it to original condition, but the wheels would be needed for the display.

date of request is 6th May 2023

 

cheers Malcolm Webster

[Bugatti Fan]

I can sort of remember that  body styling competition from way back.

So what eventually happened to all the models that were entered?   Do they still exist and on display somewhere?

[Brian Austin]

Many have survived and have been put on display at shows here in New England over the years.  I don't know about elsewhere.

[Brian Austin]

As far as the tires go, I wonder what 1:12 scale kits have some that are close to the right size.

[Mark]

Do you have pictures and dimensions for these tires?  Someone might recognize them from (possibly) some other application, or someone with a lathe might be able to make another set.

[Brian Austin]

They could probably be turned on a lathe or 3D printed. 

[sfhess]

You might want to contact John Jacobus.  He might have some or know someone who does.

The Fisher Body Craftsman's Guild :: Contact John L. Jacobus (fisherguild.com)

Edited May 13, 2024 by sfhess

[Bugatti Fan]

There was a company named Pressed Steel Fisher located in Cowley, Oxford, England who made car bodies.

I guess that it was part owned by the American Fisher Group. The Morris car plant was next door. Both companies became part of British Leyland back in the 70's. Since then BMW acquired both factories and started to build the new Mini there and still build some of the new mini models there today.