Mangusta rims set stolen in Honolulu

Ben,

I'm sorry to hear that. I will certainly keep my eyes open. It's a small community and hopefully word will spread quickly.

Mark

Thanks Mark. I was only going to save the rims for a car show but drive the car on the modern rims that it has. But still not having an original set really troubles me. The Detomaso internet community is a small on so its bound to show up for sale somewhere.

Sympathy Ben

I agree with your logic, if the thief tries to make money selling the wheels, they should turn up.

-G

Unfortunately, Mangusta and Pantera rims will bolt onto a whole host of 'other' cars. It's a stock 5-bolt pattern for many Ford and Chrysler products as well as Japanese cars that use a 5-on-112.4mm (which is also 5- on 4-1/2 inches). I ran a spare pair of stock 7" Campys on the rear of my Toyota MR-2 Turbo for a while.

Start looking closely at passing rat-rods, Ben. Its amazing how stupid some thieves are; you may spot them painted Dayglo-yellow on a minipickup. A quick cellphone call to the cops and you're back in business. Its a small island and there are other DeTomaso guys on the others that can be alerted via the old Paradise Panteras phone or e-mail list. Good luck.

the real problem like everything else they will scrap out the wheels for the aluminum. look at scrap metal yards and don't delay.

Boss, Double check that info, Mangusta is 4x104mm it is a weird one. I have no idea what else has that pattern. Most common is 4x98 and it does not fit our mags and it would require a fair amount of machining. Best would be to inquire from the local metal salvagers if the theft is recent otherwise they are gone for sure

I seem to remember measuring the bolt pattern of the Mangusta wheel and I believe it 4 x 106 mm which does not fit many other cars. Its an unusual bolt pattern.

quote:

Originally posted by 73 l:
the real problem like everything else they will scrap out the wheels for the aluminum. look at scrap metal yards and don't delay.

YES NOTIFY ALL THE ALUMINUM RECYCLING YARDS IMMEDIATELY.

SOME SURF BUM TRADED THEM IN FOR QUICK $

quote:

Originally posted by benchu:
I had dropped off my Mangusta original rim set to be refinished at Unibody Tech Auto in Honolulu. It was placed on their back burner list and left in the corner for some time. Now the whole set of rims are missing. I can't imagine that the rims will fit anything other than a Mangusta. I damaged one wheel some years back and paid nearly $3250 for one used rims. If someone has heard of any used rims for sale please notify me. benchu_1@msn.com

That just sucks! What has the Shop had to say? Hopefully the Shop has Ins.?

You're right Dennis- I was thinking of my 5-bolt Pantera, not the 4-bolt Mangusta. Brain-fade- dunno what other cars that pattern would fit.

Early Goose wheels are magnesium while some later ones are aluminum and the only way I know to positively tell them apart is to weigh them without tires. They look identical to me.

quote:

Originally posted by Bosswrench:
You're right Dennis- I was thinking of my 5-bolt Pantera, not the 4-bolt Mangusta. Brain-fade- dunno what other cars that pattern would fit.

Early Goose wheels are magnesium while some later ones are aluminum and the only way I know to positively tell them apart is to weigh them without tires. They look identical to me.

Hi Jack...the aluminum ones are considerably heavier and smoother cast...where the magnesium ones are visually quite rough, and pitted (old school). This does absolutely suck Ben. I was a nervous wreck when I dropped a set off for powder coat...guy tells me 'just leave em over there' - this was OUTSIDE his business...I babysat them until I saw them enter his building. I used to have spare sets, and there are a number of people HOARDING sets, lol. I am sure that shop is gonna have to pay big for that mistake, ouch!

If the thief is found, he's not just dishonest, he's major league stupid as well, so he should be shot.

These are never going to come up on the market. They were probably taken and put onto something stupid like a slammed Honda civic with 3" exhaust pipes running around the Barrio in LA?

not the right bolt pattern

Doesn't matter. You can drill them out and use Uni-Lugs!

Mangusta rims present a special problem. The pattern is 4x104. (ok maybe some obscure Lancia or Alfa)
the common patterns for imports are 4x98, 4x100, 4x110, 4x114.

The Mangusta bolts fit in a recess and they are near the medalion mount on the center and the rim recess on the outer area.

The machining cost on a 15 rim would make it a better value to buy cheap rims a WaallyMart or PepBoys

quote:

Originally posted by benchu:
I had dropped off my Mangusta original rim set to be refinished at Unibody Tech Auto in Honolulu. It was placed on their back burner list and left in the corner for some time. Now the whole set of rims are missing. I can't imagine that the rims will fit anything other than a Mangusta. I damaged one wheel some years back and paid nearly $3250 for one used rims. If someone has heard of any used rims for sale please notify me. benchu_1@msn.com

Any update on your wheels?