I usually find wheels pretty cheap just by wandering the yards and looking, keep an eye out for wheels I like.
If you call and ask they're often much more, and as you have learned, if they even know what they have or care to look.

•1951 GMC 250 in the Project Journals
•1948 Chevrolet 6400 - Detroit Diesel 4-53T - Roadranger 10 speed overdrive - 4 wheel disc brakes
•1952 Chevrolet 3800 pickup
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"First, get a clear notion of what you desire to accomplish, and then in all probability you will succeed in doing it..." -Henry Maudslay-