Skip to main content

Replies sorted oldest to newest

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.

Attachments

Images (1)
  • tsw_comparo
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.

Attachments

Images (1)
  • TE37ULTRA
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.
.
Last edited by George P
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
Last edited by joules
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

Attachments

Images (1)
  • 3101059856_Both
Last edited by George P
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.

Attachments

Images (1)
  • contentment
Last edited by George P
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).

Attachments

Images (1)
  • F_L
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
Last edited by 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 Smiler

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. Smiler
Last edited by George P
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.
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.

Add Reply

Post
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×