Help me choose my new wheels

something to consider...
the more open the wheel, the more brake you need to not look whimpy

George, maybe I am just old school but I like the 5 spoke on the left

George, my preference is the 5-spoke.

Mark

I re voice my preference for the 10 spoke, the photoshop pictures confirmed what I was thinking in contrast, they bring out the rocker panel and offset the silver. On the 5 spoke you have too be careful of too much much silver or it can turn you blue

Julian

For what its worth - if it's between those two wheels I like the 10's.

I'm going to be a little wishy washy here. In looking at Mark's pic's I do think that the 5 spoke would be a great option if the centers were blacked out. With the car being silver and the large ribs of the 5 spoke being silver. That's lots of silver. It would really change the look. Not that I don't like silver, both my Mustang and truck are silver. The 10 spoke breaks up the silver and I think that's why it is a more appealing look. Again my 3 cents worth.
Ken

Ken, FYI

Chris from Sydney Australia also wrote he preferred the 5 spoke wheels, but in black not silver.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael 1424:

... For what its worth ...

Its worth the world to me mate. Thanks.

My two cents...... I personally have always liked the five spoke wheels and think that more of a gray than silver would look better.
But of the two options you have posted....I prefer the 10 spoke wheel. It's modern and doesn't compete with the silver color of your car.


Rick

Thanks for asking George....my vote would be the 10 spoke. If you want to go to a modern look I think it is better matched to the Pantera's lines than the 5 spoke.

I also vote for the 10 spoke wheel. I think it looks much better with the silver of your car.

Jake

Regardless of which wheels you go with George, be sure to get in touch with Scott Bell for a big brake kit to put behind those wheels or it's going to look silly. Just sayin!

Garth & Joe, 6018 is equipped with an older set of Wilwood brakes, 4 piston calipers, 1-3/8" thick (race style) rotors, 12-3/4" diameter. Sized for the 17" wheels that were on the car when I purchased it. They were a $5000 set of brakes when they were new, and they were one of the reasons I chose this car.

I've already had an 18" front/20" rear wheel set on the car. The front brakes didn't look bad with an 18" wheel, however the 12-3/4" rotors did look a bit puny in the rear with the 20" wheels. So perhaps I should go up to 14" (or possibly 15" if it will fit), same size at all 4 corners. I wouldn't want to stagger the size of the rotors (bigger rotors in the rear) because the brakes are so well balanced as-is.

So far the voting is:

5 spoke wheel: 5
10 spoke wheel: 12

Thanks to all who've contributed. More comments and voting will be appreciated.

I like the 5 spoke, similar to the yellow car on the prior pages. I have ADV.1 Deep Concave 05 on my Mercedes SL65 and like them, but maybe too modern looking for the Pantera?:

SL65 by JanDaMan, on Flickr

Why do you want modern rims on your classic Pantera ?
There is a low speed limit into the US , not needed to have high speed tires?

For a good looking ,big rims needs also big brakes like the Lamborghini's and other modern sports cars .
Or is it your personal taste?

Simon

quote:

Originally posted by DOES 200:

... maybe too modern looking for the Pantera? ...

Hi Jan, my dear friend. Your observation, along with those of others, is the type of input and discussion I'm inviting, and want to read. I'm not the only person that shall benefit from the discourse. Should a Pantera be equipped with an old fashioned period correct wheel, or do modern wheels complement its appearance? It seems many people have preferred the more modern 10 spoke wheel.

quote:

Originally posted by Simon:

... Why do you want modern rims on your classic Pantera ...

First, please understand my “classic” Pantera shall soon be my daily driven car; it shall not be pampered as a classic.

Second, I prefer to use modern tires which are (1) easily obtained, (2) readily available, (3) reasonably priced, and (4) which are up to date in terms of modern tire technology. Back in the late 1970s there were tires available in 225/55R15 and 275/55R15. Those size tires were quite acceptable for a car with the Pantera’s capabilities, and I believe they remain so today. If modern tires were readily available today in those sizes (as matched sets), I would be satisfied.

To keep the 15" wheels owners resort to (1) using tires of lesser rating than the OEM tires, (2) using tires of the wrong size, (3) using tires of different make & model between front & rear, (4) using tires rated LT for light trucks, or (5) using DOT legal racing tires. These compromises in engineering are not for me. My preference is to stack the OEM wheels in the garage and utilize modern tires, which requires larger diameter aftermarket wheels.

quote:

Originally posted by Simon:

... There is a low speed limit into the US, not needed to have high speed tire ...

Speed rating is not the issue. The OEM tires were speed rated "V". By law I should use at least what is equivalent to the original equipment. I believe this is typical of transportation laws anywhere in the world. No? But of course, the tires I would choose shall be rated higher than “V”, simply because technology marches forward.

quote:

Originally posted by Simon:

… For a good looking , big rims needs also big brakes like the Lamborghini's and other modern sports cars …

Please see my reply to Garth & Joe above.

quote:

Originally posted by Simon:

… Or is it your personal taste …

If I’m going to purchase new wheels, they shall reflect my personal taste of course. I also demand good engineering of myself (perhaps resulting from my German heritage ). The tires shall be sized to match what is appropriate for a car with the Pantera’s capability, and sized in terms of wheel diameter and aspect ratio to what shall be available for a long time to come.

I’d like my choice to be as “wise” as possible. I seek the opinions of forum members like you as a reality check for myself. All good designers submit their work for peer review, no? (my college degree was in design)

quote:

Originally posted by George P:...

By law I should use at least what is equivalent to the original equipment...

All good designers submit their work for peer review...

never heard LAW about maintaining OEM speed rating. My tire dealer included lower speed ratings in quotes and I'll go with on next purchase for the wife's Monte Carlo and TR6. I don't even recall the speed rating for my Yukon since I change from OEM pursuit tires to a more approaite snow/mud thread. I would not use a lower load rating though

our unwritten policy at work if performing a peer review, you were not doing justice unless you found at least one item to challange

5 spoke

5 spoke if the spokes are narrow ala Pantera Chris. 10 spoke if not.