Reply to "wheels and tires"

Thanks Fellas for your kind comments! I am very happy with #9259. Not to mislead anyone but this is a 1983 GTS that was converted to GT5S specs by Hall Pantera using ALL of their "Ultra Pantera" and catalog goodies. It has a 408 Fontana 9.5" deck stroker motor, Brembo brakes, Hall aluminum suspension, factory dropped pans, carbon fiber pieces, a/c condenser up front, etc. I have made numerous changes since finding her.
I desperately searched for 10 spokes for the look but also to show off the Brembo cross drilled and slotted brakes. I talked with Larry Stock originally and he relayed he had a problem with Kodiak delivering wheels for him. In fact these are the only 3 piece Kodiak 10 spokes on a Pantera from what I have been told by Larry. They were made for an owner with a GT5 project in England. He decided not to do his build so he listed them on Ebay. I was lucky to come across them. Good Karma!
David, you asked about these 10 spokes vs. other 10 spokes? Pantera East's were made by Boyd Coddington who sold to American Racing. Those and Wilkinson's were one piece billet centers. These Kodiaks have hidden hardware on the back of the wheel. They are forged centers with a slight dish. Lighter and supposedly stronger than one piece. I know they are lighter which is great for less unsprung weight and the benefits of that. My car has Hall's GT5S steel fenders which I have been told are notorious for not being symmetrical in width. My left rear quarter is 1" wider than the right. The wheels were GT5 specs. Larry said they would work but may need massaging. I took a chance and bought them. The right rear backspacing was perfect. The right then was 1" too outboard. I had my friend and fellow Pantera expert Jerry Pentaleri machine these wheels for me to work. Jerry lathed off almost an inch on the right rear to change the backspacing to bring the wheel inboard. That is why when putting flares on a car, decide on your wheels/tires first and build to them. My fronts have the Hall aluminum hubs and Brembo rotors/hats. The grease caps over the bearings came through the wheel centers so I had to machine the centers out some and then use a cover to hide the caps. Fortunately I have always liked the Hall faux knock off centers. My previous wheels were 17" Hall Ultra MK IX with black centers (Which I need to list for sale if anyone is interested with 255/40/17 and 335/35/17 Michelin Pilot Sport 2's) I have the knock nuts as well but no pics yet with them on versus the spinners. I wanted to use them on my wheels and they worked great. To do this you need the longer studs Hall wheels require and I used 2 lug nuts per stud. One to torque the wheel down and one to hold the center hub on. My car sits low as is so the stance is aggressive. It has the double adjustable Aldan shocks and Hall springs. I had really wanted 18"fr 19" rear 10 spokes but didn't want to raise the car with the OD of the 345/30/19 rear tire. George Pence has some nice threads on the PIBB on this and he helped me with advice. Alex has some great looking 18/19 ten spokes made by Dennis Quella recently posted.
I have gutted the Ansas, recently added the billet gas cap, added leather Sparco Torino 2 seats with shoulder harnesses from Bob Byers, and Jet Hot coated the exhaust. Everything is polished or plated.
For now I am working on an air shock front end system to allow me to get her into places. It is LOW and I love the look but functionally it is a pain! Also I am working on carbon fiber side mirrors, scoops, dash insert, Pantera Elecronics engine management system with push button starter, and a few other secrets for the future shows.
Sorry for ranting but I love Panteras! This car is loud with an aggressive cam and is an absolute beast! I have learned so much from y'all and I thank you. I will add some more pics.

Thanks again,
Don Hunt