You "wrassled" the old tire off of there "by hand"?? Did you cut it off? Wasn't that a heavy-ply implement tire?
Can't tell what size that rim is, but I've found them on Marketplace (sometimes with usable tires on them) for $20 - $50. You've already got $200 worth of sweat into this one. And using old metal to match the finish shows maximum attention to detail!
Tell you what -- if I win a jacket in the giveaway, I'm going to send it straight to you! People would watch this on a reality show . . . No kidding, you could sell tickets!