more thoughts pf past trends: 4 lug wheels on earlier Bugs

[Jim Ratto]

Seems like this was a popular modification when I was growing up. And it seems it's rarely done any longer...
I remember lots of '67 and earlier cars running 4-lug wheels, especially 8-spokes. In 1988 I was offered an IRS pan in trade for my '67 pan, and I was going to change to cast-finish (grey) 8 spokes on my car.

There was a very clean beige oval that came to BH once in a while, dude named Mike Lafevere, ran 2.0 914 alloys, and 1835 with 125 Engle and 48DRLAs.... very cool car.

How about pics from the archive of early cars with 4 lug wheels?

[Zach Gomulka]

It can work, but they almost always have to be 8 spokes, IMO.

[speedwell]

this one was the winner of bug in 14
zwitter with 8 spoke
 

[speedwell]

  pre64 convert with 8 spokes

[speedwell]

scott bakken sepia brown 63  8 spokes 

[speedwell]

there's one year i would like to convert the drums on the 61 to put my 8 spokes on it , because i said i was so late70'zs & early 80's style
and nobody do this change nowadays 
 she will be cool inthat way too 

[Mike Lawless]

I did the four lug treatment to both Ghias, although perhaps not Cal-Look in the strictest sense of the definition. First on the blue car using 2.0 alloys (I built it that way from the beginning as it wasn't driveable when I first bought it) then on Cindy's convertible with the eight spokes. It was the first thing I did to her car. Neither one of us like any of the wide five wheels. Both cars a wearing five lug porsche wheels now. Here's one of Cindy's convertible with the eight spokes.

[Zach Gomulka]

What about the green split?? That car looked great on Spyders.

[Jim Ratto]

I did the four lug treatment to both Ghias, although perhaps not Cal-Look in the strictest sense of the definition. First on the blue car using 2.0 alloys (I built it that way from the beginning as it wasn't driveable when I first bought it) then on Cindy's convertible with the eight spokes. It was the first thing I did to her car. Neither one of us like any of the wide five wheels. Both cars a wearing five lug porsche wheels now. Here's one of Cindy's convertible with the eight spokes.

Mike, that's a good looking car.... awesome color.

[Jim Ratto]

It can work, but they almost always have to be 8 spokes, IMO.

I think the 914 2.0 alloys work too, on the right car. Sure would be anti-resto cal... that's for sure.
Like a sea green oval, or mint green, dechromed, 1-piece windows, Cal rubber, and detailed 914 alloys...  would look bitchin

[speedwell]

glenn 's convert 

[Mike Lawless]

Thanks Jim
I like the color too, and the paint is not so good one would be afraid to drive it. And that's exactly what it gets used for. Cindy drives it every day, and we like to our coast runs with it.

We bought it with this paint job on it, but redid the interior and match painted the dash and doors to match. The seats and door panels are now black with grey tweed inserts

Unfortunately, on our last trip down to southern California in it, someone bonked the rear fender next to the tailight in a parking lot and left without leaving a note. dang it! Not real bad, but it gouged the paint there pretty good.

[Jim Ratto]

Thanks Jim
I like the color too, and the paint is not so good one would be afraid to drive it. And that's exactly what it gets used for. Cindy drives it every day, and we like to our coast runs with it.

We bought it with this paint job on it, but redid the interior and match painted the dash and doors to match. The seats and door panels are now black with grey tweed inserts

Unfortunately, on our last trip down to southern California in it, someone bonked the rear fender next to the tailight in a parking lot and left without leaving a note. dang it! Not real bad, but it gouged the paint there pretty good.

People suck! 
Sounds like a fun car....  how about some more pictures? We should start a "daily driven car" thread.

[speedwell]

What about the green split?? That car looked great on Spyders.

one for zach : eddy de kuiper conda green split window 

[Mike Lawless]

 People suck! 
Sounds like a fun car....  how about some more pictures? We should start a "daily driven car" thread.
[/quote]

Here's one of Cindy facing off with Dee Berg at the Drag Day powder puff race last year


And here's a side shot from that same day. First and only time we ever raced it it. If Cindy ever wants to race in Powder Puff again, it'll be in the Blue Car!

[Jim Ratto]

fabs, how about a pic of DKK Rick Meredith's beige '67?

[.]

Not exactly what you were talking about, but the only early car I like with 4 lug wheels !
 

[Diederick/DVK]

see '67s don't really count seeing to the fact that the good ones (   ) came with 4 lug wheels anyhow    (in europe at least)

[Jim Ratto]

off topic, but Dieds, I think cookie cutter 911 rims, black or gunmetal centers, polished rim, would look really good on your green car. 

[Zach Gomulka]

see '67s don't really count seeing to the fact that the good ones (   ) came with 4 lug wheels anyhow    (in europe at least)

Yeah but they also came with those dorky early head lamps

[Diederick/DVK]

is there a center to cookie cutters? they look like a steep dune landscape to me.
and zach, yeah i know all about that's why i ditched those 18 months ago 

[Jim Ratto]

is there a center to cookie cutters? they look like a steep dune landscape to me.
and zach, yeah i know all about that's why i ditched those 18 months ago 

[Zach Gomulka]

AssHull's wheels will be back from Al Reed soon... I guarantee they will be the sweetest set of cookies to date!!!

[Rennsurfer]

Seems like this was a popular modification when I was growing up. And it seems it's rarely done any longer...

How about pics from the archive of early cars with 4 lug wheels?

You're right, Mr. Ratto... 'twas quite a common practice, back then.

When I first built my car, I scored a set of eight spokes. They had gold centers, then I painted 'em orange. Then, beige.


After I got bored with those, I sold 'em and got a very clean set of Fuchs 2 liter wheels and put Fuchs 911 caps on.


I wouldn't mind having another set of the Fuch wheels for my current '67. But they'd have to be really nice and in the factory finish only. Maybe down the road. Right now, I really dig my BRMs.

[Sam K]

The only four lug wheels I like on an early bug are 2 liters that are paint detailed. I 've had a '63 on a '73 pan with eight spokes for a couple years, but I've never reallly liked them on it. I plan on converting it to wide 5 and putting some centerlines on it when I build it.

[Bryan67]

The old 67 on Ansens.


And Rons 66 on Centerlines.

[Zach Gomulka]

It can work, but they almost always have to be 8 spokes, IMO.

I think the 914 2.0 alloys work too, on the right car. Sure would be anti-resto cal... that's for sure.
Like a sea green oval, or mint green, dechromed, 1-piece windows, Cal rubber, and detailed 914 alloys...  would look bitchin

2.0 alloys have just never "done" it for me. Not shapely enough, I guess??

[Prowagen]

That 66 on 4 lug Center Lines looks awesome!

[speedwell]

i remind having put 2 4x130 brakes drums iwith the 8spokes on the right side oh my 74 and on the left  2 5x205 brake drums with flat4 brms 
you can saw 2 car in 1 

[Jim Ratto]

i remind having put 2 4x130 brakes drums iwith the 8spokes on the right side oh my 74 and on the left  2 5x205 brake drums with flat4 brms 
you can saw 2 car in 1 

paint Left side different from Right side too...  good for picture opportunities.