Large Diameter Campy Clones available from American Republic Wheels

quote:
Boyd Legend Campy Series


The center appears to be the same style/design that Coddington supplies to Marino Pena at Pantera East.

But the outer rim is decidedly different.

A post to the POCA Forum says a recent buyer found some minor caliper interference issues, though.

Larry

I have a set of 17x8 and 18x12. They look great. Since the centers are larger than most, they look more open and "show-off" my stock brakes. It looks like time for a brake upgrade.

Tire valves are inboard. There's a potential clearance issue with the rear uprights. I need to use flush tire valves.

When it's all settled, I'll learn how to post pictures.

Brian

quote:

Originally posted by gen2pantera:
I have a set of 17x8 and 18x12. They look great. Since the centers are larger than most, they look more open and "show-off" my stock brakes. Brian

Would like to see pics when available/possible.

Best,
Kelly

Time has taught us that the tire industry is evolving, and that older tires (designed for smaller wheels) are not well supported by the tire industry. Tires for 17" wheels just aren't being supported these days any better than tires for 15" wheels. The vendors selling Campy Clone wheels have not kept-up with modern tire sizes. They are selling expensive wheel sets for tires that in some cases aren't available in matching sets, that have only one choice in make and model, or that have "off-again/on-again" availability issues.

The centers of the Boyd Coddington wheels (now American Republic Wheels) have 3 dimensional "depth" like the OEM Campy wheels, more so than other Campy clone wheels. For instance the frames around the "windows" tilt outwards at an angle whereas other Campy clones are flat as a pancake. To machine the wheel at multi-angles like that requires more time on the CNC machine, and makes the wheel more expensive. These wheels are gorgeous, and I believe they are a good option for Pantera owners.

Boyd Coddington once manufactured the wheels for Pantera East, the Pantera East wheels had several features which made them closer in appearance and function to the OEM Campy wheels than other Campy clones on the market.

• 62mm hub bore diameter
  
• wheel center designed for the OEM logo disc held-in by a circlip, instead of a "pop-in" cap
  
• reproduction of the intermediate "step" built into the original wheel
  
• old-style (traditional) wheel "lip" design

Boyd Coddington is under new ownership, it is owned by American Republic Wheels now. Please be forewarned their standard "Campi wheel" spec is a rather generic style wheel spec. The "Campi" wheel is not being marketed as a "Pantera" wheel, its for owners of classic American hot rods and muscle cars who like the Campi look. The "generic" wheel lacks the features listed above that were found in the wheels formerly produced for Pantera East. If you want a wheel that is more Pantera-specific or similar to the Pantera East wheel, be sure to start the exchange by explaining you are ordering wheels for a Pantera AND want wheels machined and assembled to the former Pantera East specification, except in terms of diameter, width, and offset. Be specific with what you're looking for. They have a CNC program for the Pantera East wheel, owners have been able to have wheels produced to that spec.

If you do business with them, please share with us your experiences.

I welcome the availability of Campy clones in modern sizes. There's no reason to buy those old school 17 inch wheels any longer, Campi clones can be acquired in 18 or 19 front, 19 or 20 rear. I wish I had known about these wheels when I purchased the HRE wheels for 6018 ... I would have preferred the Campy clones (would have been $1420 less expensive than the HRE wheels too).

Thanks for posting this Larry!

-G

quote:

18 or 19 front, 19 or 20 rear.

Just because you now CAN, doesn't make it a good idea.

IMHO...

To each their own.

Larry

I'm with you on that Larry. I'm not a fan of the thin tires. I wish they'd start making tires in "45" series again.
I like 'em big and fat.
Will (old school)

Some larger wheels were available two to three years ago...in the "George size" not sure, but they were available in 17's & 18's which I got. I think it was a matter of just using a larger hoop 19 & 20 and those were available....the CNC program, I assume could easily change that dimension.

Below are the wheels I purchased directly from Coddington in 2007. It took me about six months to get Coddington to get an agreement from Marino to allow them to make the wheels in the sizes I wanted. Marino would not make them in the size I wanted...so he allowed Coddington to make them for me.

I've heard that Coddington (Boyd Jr) does not make Mario's wheels anymore??? Can anyone confirm that? I was thinking that Boyd Sr. died and the wheels business was sold to Wheel Pro's it made the exclusive contract for these wheels for Marino ONLY invalid?

Here's a close up of the wheels...they are really a quality wheel.

quote:

Originally posted by LF - TP 2511:
quote:
Boyd Legend Campy Series


The center appears to be the same style/design that Coddington supplies to Marino Pena at Pantera East.

But the outer rim is decidedly different.


Larry

Larry, the hoop is available in either a smooth lip (Smooth lip is what you posted) or the Traditional lip, the latter being more period correct with the Pantera. I chose the Tradition lip...its a matter of taste.

quote:

the hoop is available in either a smooth lip (Smooth lip is what you posted) or the Traditional lip

Tom,

From what you posted, I would venture any request for traditional lip wheels would result in a refusal or another lengthy negotiation with Marino.

They seem to have skirted the issue legally (though not ethically) with the new lip design.

Larry

Hi Tom,

I'm looking for center caps that work with Campy emblems. Did your wheels come with a "flat" cap? Mine have the "Boyds" dome center caps.

Thanks,
Brian

Larry that same thought came up in my head but I thought, NO that isn't enough to materially change the appearance of the wheel???? But you never know. A patent attorney could probably tell you.

Take a look at the picture below very closely...what do you see changed? Both wheels are made by Coddington...the wheel on the left is what I ordered...when I got the "FIRST" set, they were made with the center on the right(rotated pentagon), I refused delivery because that's not the Campy correct design....they made a complete new set.

The centers on the right is one way to change the design enough to say its different. That is the design that some other vendors get.

closeup picture with rotated center.

quote:

That is the design that some other vendors get.

Yup, that is what Byars did.

Sure that made for a nice friendship with Marino....

And I'm with you, that one little change is all wrong. I'd have refused them, too.

But most buyers probably never notice - which is what Byars was betting on, IMHO.

Larry

I got a different cap...I think it says Coddington. I'll post a picture. The caps that came with mine didn't fit actually...supposedly my centers are setup to take the deTomas emblem.

quote:

Originally posted by gen2pantera:
Hi Tom,

I'm looking for center caps that work with Campy emblems. Did your wheels come with a "flat" cap? Mine have the "Boyds" dome center caps.

Thanks,
Brian

Brain, mine are the dome cap also, but mine have "Boyd Coddington" script. The opening on my wheel where the center cap would go is pretty close to 2.375 inches across. What is yours?

Chris Coddington told me that the wheel center hole for the emblem was the same size as the original Campy wheels and all you had to do is buy the replacements from one of the vendors. The picture below shows the emblem I want which I believe is either a reproduction or original...either way they look better than the dome. There is a post on the Provamo site that says they are for sale? I will let you know if I find them.

Tom

quote:

The picture below shows the emblem I want which I believe is either a reproduction or original

Wilkinson, or just about any vendor.

Get the retainer rings, too.

Larry

Thanks guys. Those are just what I'm looking for. I'll make sure to get retainer rings as well.

Brian

or maybe not? I measure 3" outside diameter and ~2.75 inside. I call and they suggested to buy 3" centers from a 3rd party.

When I have all tires mounted, I'll pursue it further.

Thanks,
Brian