Help me choose my new wheels

That is a wide open question. Good job on getting it narrowed down though. I like the 10 spoke. Fills in the wheel better. That's my 3 cents worth.

Thanks Ken, yes its a wide open question, and I realize I'm asking for opinions, which everyone is entitled to. My feelings won't be hurt.

I think the 5 spokes are more classic, the 10 spokes more "current". I'm fairly certain I'll utilize 18x8.5 wheels in the front (245/35R18 tires) and 20x10 wheels in the rear (285/30R20 tires).

By the way Ken, we shipped the literature yesterday afternoon. We had some decals on order, they arrived yesterday, I wanted to wait for their arrival so I could include them with your order.

Here's a pic of the wheels alone, a bit more up close & more detail.

I think the 10 spoke with some dish would look really good. I probably would stick with an 18 for the rear wheels also

here is my opinion.

yes the 5 spoke is classic, BUT implies "dancing pony"

the 10 spoke does look more robust, but isn't that what is need with the torque of a Pantera needs?

Thus I would prefer the 10s over the 5s, BUT the Campy still tops both

also my opinion is for a narrow body car

quote:

Originally posted by JFB #05177:

... implies "dancing pony" ...

Dancing pony ... or overloaded donkey?

I like those 5's, and nice TT's, George!...........

Yes, the 5 spoke have the classic look of the Cragar's from the good old days but with a more modern flatter profile. I've got those on my Mustang. None are a bad choice and I'm sure George has the calipers looking all nice and shinny!

5 Spokes in Black, or Minilites

quote:

Dancing pony ... or overloaded donkey?

Now that is funny!

George, I like both of them but I'd lean towards the five spoke. That being said, I'd be surprised if TSW makes them in offsets anything close to what's needed on a Pantera. If your preference is a one piece wheel, the only source I can think of, that might have Pantera appropriate sizes/offsets, is Rays (https://www.rayswheels.co.jp/index.php?lang=en). They make one piece wheels for all of the widebody Nissan GT, etc. conversions. In fact, I'm pretty sure they make a 20" x 10.5" in a zero offset. Most of their wheels have six spokes and look pretty much the same. They even have one piece wheels in negative offsets. I have no idea what the prices are like but they are surely less than three-piece wheels. Rays has been making variations of their six spoke wheels for about 25 years. They are distributed in the USA by Makin Industries in Southern Calif. I'd be tempted to call Makin and tell them what you want. You could spend days looking over their size, PCD and offset charts. Hey, if you're looking for wheels, maybe you should plan on going to SEMA next month! Here's a photo of their standard wheels on a 458.

quote:

Originally posted by PanTTera:

... nice TT's, George! ...

I knew you'd like my choice! I was thinking of you when I made it.

quote:

Originally posted by David_Nunn:

... I'd be surprised if TSW makes them in offsets anything close to what's needed on a Pantera ...

I have that aspect under control. The front wheels are available with 20mm offset. The rears would require spacers & longer wheel studs. The studs are available via a Pantera vendor. Spacers are available via Motorsport Tech

We spoke of this at the Concorso. I can acquire all 4 wheels via the internet for less than $1000. Spacers and studs would cost less than $400. $1400 for a complete set of wheels, with all the parts needed for mounting. After I make that switch to the dark side, there's a whole world of inexpensive wheels, designed for the sport compact market, that would become available to me in the future. Another $1000 would acquire tires. So $2400 would acquire an entire set of wheels and tires, including mounting hardware. The next time my Pantera needs tires, there shall be a welcome number of choices in terms of price and type. I won't be in the position of having to mix and match tires, settling for truck tires, compromising sizes, importing tires from Europe, or accepting obsolescence; positions so many owners find themselves in today.

Plus ... the choices in wheels and tires I'll make are better engineered than what folks are currently "settling" for.

quote:

Originally posted by David_Nunn:

... If your preference is a one piece wheel, the only source I can think of, that might have Pantera appropriate sizes/offsets, is Rays (https://www.rayswheels.co.jp/index.php?lang=en) ...

In all my searching I don't remember running across that name. I will check them out. Thank you my friend.
.

George,

The TSW Mirabeau looks "Pantera appropriate" too! I like the concave spokes on the rear.

Be careful David, you may be seduced by the dark side. It is an attractive wheel. Looks like OEM wheels I've seen on Mercedes.

Look at Rotiform. They make some incredible wheels. Not cheap, but what is.

George,

The 10 spoke reminds me of the reproduction wheels that Chip Foose had commissioned by MHT wheels, now those would look great on your Pantera.

Someone needs to Photoshop both styles onto a photo of your car, I think my choice would still be the 10 spokes though as the black undertone will provide contrast with the silver of your car.

FYI Larry Stock tooled up and has made a bunch of CNC billet wheel spacers to permit different wheel offset use.

Julian

Its not at all funny, the scroat responsible should be ashamed.

Jesus wept!

Here is an option what I was looking at. I hope the pics come through.

They are 5 spoke, the one on the left has some original wheel resemblance or not. The right one I like best. But this goes away from the original post from George's question. So now he it's up to him. Thanks G for all you do! Isn't it great we all have an opinion!

Ken aka HayDude

I'm a five spoke fan and run Fikse FM5's on my 930 Turbo. Saw a set on a 308 Ferrari and they looked great. Would look fantastic on the Pantera too IMO.

quote:

Originally posted by Lyall #6007:
I'm a five spoke fan and run Fikse FM5's on my 930 Turbo. Saw a set on a 308 Ferrari and they looked great. Would look fantastic on the Pantera too IMO.

This is the same Fikse wheel with a brushed outer and a charcoal center.

Ron

And again with an antique gold center.

Fikse FM5 on my L and Fikse 10s on the GT5 (avatar)

My bad, Fikse Profil 13 on green GT5.

However, Fikse Mach Vs on Rob Pink's (red) pantera.

They all look good John, one thing I like about the Fikse wheel is the blind bolts, that is the only aspect of my Kodiak's I don't care for as it makes them PITA to polish.

Julian

So far 3 folks have voted for the five spoke wheels, 4 folks have voted for the ten spoke wheels. A few folks have lobbied for other options. Which I assume means they don't approve of my choices at all. That's cool, I do respect their opinions.

I've been contemplating a new wheel purchase for years. I've looked at a lot of wheels in that time. I really like the two TSW wheels I've presented. The fact they are both manufactured by TSW is purely coincidence. Well kind of a coincidence. They have styling cues I like, which if you think about it, its not surprising the same manufacturer offers these styling cues in more than one wheel. Anyway ... I've been contemplating these wheels for a long time. I keep going back and forth. Classic verses modern. It almost seems to depend upon my mood.

Its cool to learn about those of you with other ideas. All of you who contribute to the forums are appreciated ... always. We are De Tomaso brothers, our opinions should not separate us. In fact I encourage ALL De Tomaso owners and enthusiasts, all forum members, to hold fast to your opinions and convictions. AND to your DREAMS. But please don't hold it against other members of our fraternity if they do the same.

Its Friday night, I've been drinking, I wish some of you were here with me. I love you all. Have a safe and happy weekend.

Hey George,

I thought you might find this interesting: the recent, slightly odd (V6???), Fast 'n Loud Pantera build has 18's on the front and 19's on the rear. The tire sizes they used were 225/40-18 and 285/35-19. I noticed they didn't even roll the front fender lips. IMO, a 225/35-18 would have been better on the front, because it's only 24.2" tall. An alternative size for the rear would be 305/35-19 (which is an OEM size and a better height match if you use a 225/40-18 on the front).

Those 18/19 combos on the gmg car look to fill the wheel well quite nicely.
That car does have a nice stance

P.S. To stay on the same track of this thread......

I prefer the five spoke wheels., And I really like the fiske Wheels as well. All those cars look great

quote:

does have a nice stance

The white car?

IMHO - It looks just like Tom T. warned us about.. i.e. Panteras without the black treatment under the rockers.

"... a fat cat with it's belly dragging on the ground..."

That would have been such a simple thing to close out on that build - It would have taken aobut 2 hours more to do.

If you look at all the cars John and Ron posted - they all have something on the sils, either a GT5 Sill skirt, or black. It's de riguer!

Rocky

Wow R McCall & JT, all the Fikse's look awesome on the Pantera. FM5's still my favorite but the Mach V's and Profiles look great too. My 930 was turned into a dedicated track car late 90's and the 9.5" & 11" x 17" wheels always had 275/40R17 and 315/35R17 Hoosier R6's attached.

Sorry George P if I added to the difficult choice you're facing. Wheels are such a personal thing... almost like five spokes are blonds and 10 spokes are brunets

Lyall

Thanks Chuck.

Its a tie. 4 folks have voted for the five spoke TSW wheels, 4 folks have voted for the ten spoke TSW wheels. The remaining Fiske & Rotiform comments, while appreciated, didn't help in picking one TSW wheel over the other. So after three pages of comments I'm still at square one.

quote:

Originally posted by Lyall #6007:

... almost like five spokes are blonds and 10 spokes are brunets ...

If choosing between the two wheels was like choosing between blondes & brunettes it would be a lot easier for me.

George -

You are the captain of the ship known as 6018, so you have the need, and the authority to make the call.

In this case, you won't go wrong with either decision. I think it boils down to:

Traditional Upgrade: 5 Spoke

Modern Update: 10 Spoke

Good luck

Chuck

Hi George.

Normaly i will go for five spoke wheels, but in this case i will go for the 10 spoke.
in this case the 10 spoke looks more exclusive, more elegant, better fit for your car.
I think it will fit better with the dark backside of the Wheels than the silver 5 spoke.

Best regards.
Kjeld Pedersen
Denmark

quote:

Originally posted by George P:
Thanks Chuck.

Its a tie. 4 folks have voted for the five spoke TSW wheels, 4 folks have voted for the ten spoke TSW wheels. The remaining Fiske comments didn't help. So after three pages of comments I'm still at square one.

George,

Do you know anyone who's good with Photoshop? If so, take a side shot of your Pantera and have someone Photoshop both TSW wheels on to it. You'll probably know right away, which one you prefer.

George.

Not my best work, but maybe it will help give a slightly better idea of what these will look like.

the 5-spoke:

and the 10-spoke:

Good luck!

Mark

George,

After looking at Mark's photoshop work, I personally like the ten spokes.

Devin

I'm likin that second pic, 10 spoke

That was a great suggestion David, one that had also been voiced by Julian back on page 2. Mark thank you ever so much for taking the time to do the photo-editing for me. You do a much better job than I do.

The voting remains 4 for the five spoke wheel, but the ten spoke wheel has gained 3 votes, making a total of 7 votes for it. Debbie has been lobbying behind the scenes for the five spoke wheel, but after seeing Mark's picture today she's changed her mind and now prefers the ten spoke wheel. Past voters are welcome to change their minds as well if the pictures made a difference. I appreciate everyone who has taken time to contribute.