Help me choose my new wheels

I like those wheels as wheel. For a 5 spoke I think the wheels Ron has are the right balance. Spokes that are not too thin or thick.

quote:

Originally posted by Rocky:
These are wheels I like.



It's like the wheels Jimmy posted, which I also like, but could never afford...

Rocky

I'd rock those 10-spokes, but I'm relatively partial.

TrueForged Wheels can do a nice concave version of the 10-spoke wheel you want. Would give you that full look, but still allow for a bit of lip, if that's what you're going for. All custom, just let Steve know your measurements. Very economical compared to HREs and such but very similar quality.

FWIW, you mentioned you wanted to go a 18/20 route. I went 18/19s in the TrueForged brand(WAS easy to find 19 tires in 345 due to the Vipers).

I think the FR500s are a great choice. Inexpensive, but not very common. Have a nice linear/angular look which would compliment the lines of the Pantera.

If anyone has a good set of recommendations (vendor, sizes, backspacing) for the FR500s, feel free to post them up...

With pictures, please!

The wheels below are from lambolp400s' car, but these wheels had to be custom widened, and fit.

Thanks -

Rocky

I usually like a wide variety of modifications, especially when it comes to wheels; however for me anyway only this style looks "right" to me on the Pantera. A lot of other wheels just don't seem like they belong on the car. Weren't Pantera venders offering these at one time, or similar? I thought they were made to be similar to actual Group 4 wheels, maybe that's why I prefer them in taking on the right look for he car.

Or actually, these are what I was thinking about:

Hi Jan.

I like the 10 spoke Campy look too, for certain cars. I have a narrow body however and would prefer the early style Campy clones. But I have six reservations:

(1) I'd like to stay away from two piece or three piece wheels, boutique wheels, etc. I prefer a one piece cast wheel. The TSW wheels, or wheels available from Enkei racing, are just as strong, lighter, and cost $200 to $300 per wheel, depending upon size. I can purchase a set of 4 wheels on eBay for $1000. Plus the price of longer wheel studs and spacers.

(2) The vendors offering the Campy clones have not kept up with the current sizing in tires. I would not spend $2.00 on 17" wheels, let alone $2500.00. I perceive purchasing 17" wheels tantamount to sleeping on a bed of nails or beating myself with chains. Acquiring larger Campy clone wheels leaves me having to deal with American Republic Wheels directly (difficult), accepting their compromises, AND spending 2-1/2 times the amount of money. That seems like a similar situation, again tantamount to sleeping on a bed of nails, etc.

(3) The vendors have a predilection for 335mm rear tires, I prefer 285mm tires on 10" wide wheels. On the front I prefer 245mm tires on 8-1/2" wide wheels.

(4) Both the front & rear tires should be inset from the edge of the fender the same amount.

(5) The wheels should be designed for tire pairs that are approximately 2" different in diameter front to rear, so after leveling the chassis, the front and rear tires are positioned within the fender arches with equal spacing.

I want my car to look the best it can. Even a Hyundai has issues 4 & 5 sorted out. For $2500 (or sometimes more) I think the wheels I purchase for my $80K Italian classic should also have those issues sorted out.

(6) I want painted wheels that don't have to be polished. For $2500 they should at least have a clear coat! Perhaps my car, intended to be a daily driver rather than a show car, excludes me from using such wheels? Or perhaps my Okie ancestry makes me too pre-occupied (nice way of saying lazy) to polish wheels all the time.

Yeah, on #6 clear coat is great. Have it on my MBZ SL65 wheels and it makes life easy. It's enough work just wiping off the brake dust. However I think you may loose just a little bit of brilliance with clear coat. I reacall seeing examples of my fuel injection system with and without clear coat, and with clear coat there was a slight brilliance loss. However at 61 y/o it isn't all that fun crunched in the engine bay for hours polishing it till my legs are numb. Bottom line, I would still choose clear coat even on wheels.

Maybe another choice? 17x8-18x11 AC-III Team III Wheels.

Looks good Curt! Care to share the tire widths & offsets?

I haven't seen you in a while. I hope all is well. We'll catch-up one of these days soon.

quote:

Originally posted by DOES 200:

... at 61 y/o it isn't all that fun crunched in the engine bay for hours polishing it till my legs are numb. Bottom line, I would still choose clear coat even on wheels ...

amen brother

quote:

Originally posted by George P:
Looks good Curt! Care to share the tire widths & offsets?

I haven't seen you in a while. I hope all is well. We'll catch-up one of these days soon.

George...

The wheel off sets are, Fronts, back spacing 5.375=22mm. Backs, back spacing 6.50=13mm My Tire sizes are, fronts 245/40/R17 Backs 295/35/R18 The tires are Continental Tires. Con Extreme Contact. You can get the Wheels in pretty much what ever BS you want! I got the tires from America's Tire, the cost 2 years ago was about $850 for 4 tires!

Curt

George, I went with the American Republic Wheels. I went with a 18 x 11.5. It cost extra for that size but it allows me to run 3 different sizes (295/35/18, 315/30/18, 335/30/18. The back spacing is 7". I wanted it slightly recessed from my factory 10" wheels which are flush with the body.

Here is one picture with the 335/30/18's. I wanted them slightly recessed similar to Chip Foose's Pantera rear wheel fitment.

Like Curt, I also went with a 17 x 8 for the front, but with a 245/40/17 BF Goodrich g force rival.

Thanks for sharing that Jim, from the camera angle it looks as though you've nailed the offset for the 335mm tire.

Its a common theme in auto design to have the tires "become exposed" from under the fender at the belt line, where the body begins to roll under. I feel that's ideal too. Is that a good description of how your back tires fit?

The tires do become exposed around the belt line.

Top shot.

Front side shot. Dave and I had decided to do a test fit before the center was welded. I had the tire mounted, looked at the fit from multiple angles, liked what I saw so kept the 7" back space, sent them back to Dave for final welding. The rear wheel traveled from the west coast to the east coast twice. I have since considered a 18 x 8 front since I have seen a few other tires that would work out as well.