Repro Campi wheels?

Pantera East. Marino Perna. 727-381-1151
www.mapenterprises.net

I have these on 2511 and have never regretted it. Worth every penny. Buy new centercaps and retainer rings and the plain lug nuts from him too.

None of the other repros are even close contenders.

Larry

Thanks. Anyone else carry them? I ordered a set from PE 2 months ago, getting tired of waiting.

John, since it is obvious Marino doesn't have the wheels on the shelf, he may be waiting to have a certain number of customer orders before he places an order with his supplier.

Your friend on the DTBB

Hey John,going to be in the 70's this weekend.I bet your car would sure look great with those new wheels & tires on.

They are worth every minute of the wait http://www.panteraplace.com/page175.htm

Mike

quote:

Anyone else carry them? I ordered a set from PE 2 months ago, getting tired of waiting.

I am pretty sure Marino has an exclusive on them from Coddington.

Like Mike said, worth the wait.

Larry

Thanks guys,

Yes, PE said they ordered the wheels 2 months ago from Coddington's, I check back peridocially with PE, but never any good news. Just getting a bit discouraged having 4 new tires sitting in the garage with nothing pretty to put them on, and trying to understand alternatives, of which, thre sounds like there are zero.

And jwr2968, I think I've had this car on the road 1-2 days every week since I purchased it 2 months ago, many times with temps below 40. This week will be no exception with or without the new shoes.. take care

Thanks all.

Don't listen to that Larry. Wilkinsons wheels are the best. Sadly, he no longer makes the 16"

Johnny

quote:

Don't listen to that Larry.

Now JOHNNNY......

You KNOW after finally seeing the P.E. wheels on my car that those Wilkinson wheels have too large a center, and the 17" on all four corners is the wrong proportion. I'm sorry you are stuck with them.

For a visual of Johnny's car and his Wilkinson wheels (painted), go to -
http://www.woodsautomotive.co.uk/mypantera.htm

For a shot of my, better looking P.E. wheels -
http://community.webshots.com/photo/61316766/1061687013039682129SBDVHo

Johnny's restoration/fabrication skills are simply amazing, and he's a heck of nice chap.

But don't listen to that Johnny when he talks about repro wheels

"That" Larry

Hi Larry,

Actually I have do have 16"s on the front. At least we agree on that! I was secretly impressed with your wheels..

Johnny

Comparing the two pictures, my opinion is that the Wilkinson wheels are more accurate reproductions of the original Campy wheel. Now the fact that Johnny's wheels are painted may influence things. It would be great if someone could post pictures of the three wheels side-by-side for comparison.

I like the painted Wilkenson Reps alot!

Gary

quote:

Originally posted by comp2:
I like the painted Wilkenson Reps alot!

Gary

I agree with Gary, I think the 17" Campy clones, painted the original silver color, look BITCHEN. Except for the thinner sidewalls of the tire, it's hard to tell they aren't the real thing. (Except on the scale)

your friend on the DTBB

Personally, what I am seeing, I like the PE 16/17 polished.
If I was to stay with the painted wheel I would stay with my Capy 8/10's. I see no point in going to the painted "repro".
If you are going to dress to kill, kill. Don't play around with an in between. It's so obvious that this is a "street rod" set up, why try to hide it?
I don't know if I like that much tread on the ground. Aren't we talking about rebalancing the suspension with changes like this?
I would think that one might wind up with snap oversteer here, like the original Mangusta.
I'd be afraid to push the car at any speed.

When I re-do 1280 I want to keem the look mostly stock. I really liked the look. I want to keep the Campi look but the backs need to be a little wider. They need to fill out the well better. That brings me to the question do I want to find a an old set and refurbish them? Who can do the right job on magnesium wheels or would I just get repo's and not worry about it.

The thing I don't like about the repos is they are too flashy. They just look like a Revell model with plastic rims. That painted look was cool. It just fits the style of the car.

Gary

quote:

I don't know if I like that much tread on the ground. Aren't we talking about rebalancing the suspension with changes like this?
I would think that one might wind up with snap oversteer here, like the original Mangusta.
I'd be afraid to push the car at any speed.

Yes Doug, you would want to redo your alignment, and most probably suspension. But as far as handling, if done right the car will be just fine. I'm a performance driving dummy, but last year at Spring Mountain I had Charlie Puckett, who owns a track dedicated Pantera, take 2511 for a couple of laps. He returned with big thumbs up for handling, steering and braking. He called the car a 'temptress', meaning it was just begging the driver to go for a little more. THAT is what got me into the infamous tree.

2511 steers straight as an arrow, one finger control, at 125mph and is a joy to drive. But suspension is seriously improved by Quella and properly aligned. If you go the big tire route, bear in mind other improvements will be called for.

Larry

OK Larry, what did you do to the suspension as a result of the new wheels and tires?

quote:

OK Larry, what did you do to the suspension as a result of the new wheels and tires?

Doug,

First, after waiting 30 years to own a Pantera, I did not want a project car. I wanted to drive, and drive. And then drive some more. I made it to 10,000 miles before wrecking the car in month 11 of ownership. So I haven't done much to the suspension. But what was done by Dennis Quella for the previous owner who had 2511 in Dennis' shop for 3 1/2 years is as follows:

Koni steel shocks - 30 series - solid (not rubber/poly) bushings

GT5 springs - 450F - 550R

billet sway bar brackets

1" solid sway bars - F/R

graphite/poly bushings for bars and a-arms

zerk fittings on bushings

rifle drilled lower rear a-arm shaft w/zerk

front camber lock kit

adjustable upper rear a-arms

front bump steer Rack/Pinion mounts w/ the Quella adapted tie rod ends and spacers

welded no-longer-collapsible steering column

I switched from all 17" with Dunlops to 16x8 and 17x11 running Pilot Sports

And finally, I added about the only things left, Quella a-arm sphere balls

The car's handling pleases me and everyone who has driven it, including some who know a hell of a lot more than me about handling.

Photos of most of this at my Webshots albums.

Larry

You mean you bought the wheels and tires 30 years ago and just got the Pantera last year? Wow, that's dedication for ya.