what kind of wheels for your car????

[Zach Gomulka]

One is that it is nearly if not totally impossible to weld and polish a lip without there being a color difference between the welding material and the wheel itself.

I've seen a pair of new JGE Raders that Eric Vaughn widened to 7", all done on the front dish. Looked perfect! Although they were obviously new wheels, so that may be a factor.

[henk]

more

hey slowpanel,

are you gonna rub that cabrio decklid in my face again?
first on flat4free and now here as well.

henk!!!

[DKO]

There was a good post on this forum a while back with info on the americans. the majority of the ones you see for sale are the "straight spoke" ali versions, like on the 911 photo above. as Dave said, bad offset (for beetles) which is why they get narrowed and also because they are usually 7 inch wide. the proper "D spoke" (so named because the spoke curves around the caliper of a disc brake) were made in wide 5 and porsche pattern ( like the DAS sunroof car above) in various widths but with good offsets and in ali (wide 5 only) and magnesium (much rarer) The 6 inch mags have the same offset as 6 inch fuchs. the wide 5 version is the wheel that was copied to reproduce the "torker" wheel by JGE.
the magnesium porsche pattern versions are coveted by early porsche guys for their strength and light weight (plus they look nicer than the ali straight spokes  )
that's about all i can remember from that thread. cheers

Not exactly correct.  The aluminum 7" wheels on the Porsche above are D-spokes as well.  American did not make a straight spoke wheel for a Porsche because the spoke would foul the caliper.




Fair point. i still prefer the look of the mags with the rounder spoke. your 67 works with the ali wheels because your car is black but you got the mags too if you fancy a change
On the subject of narrowing the 7s really all it changes is the way the tire sits on the rim...not where the wheel sits ?

[Jon]

In my opinion, you seem all really too permissive !

How can you let say :

The Melbert are Cal-look ? What  !?
The Ronal are Cal-look ? Hu  !?
SPF, ATS, KPZ, Heggins, Razor, Roth Star rims, Cosmics... and other "exotic" ones... Waxxx

More simply, Cal-look = look like California ones !

To me, all those wheels, were never part of the classic game of 65 to 87 in California ! So you can honestly forget to rank them as Cal-look rims !
Who many of you dream about ATS or KPZ for his Cal-look ? Truly ! 2 people ? Did you saw them on DKP cars ?

This is how I knew the cal-look ... by classic way.
But its ok if you want to drive an italian-look, a mexican-look, a look-Swiss, or built a German look !  ... what ever, but hardly a true dream Cal-look !

Be so permissive dilutes the essence of Cal-look : Power and Simplicity.
Have rare rims or unique rims is not enough to make a cal-look ! It's just enough to a small talk ! Sometimes "new wheels" brings some diversity but... we can call it "Nice car... sad for the wheels" !

At the end... think what you want but, there is spirit to respect.

Reread your classic (cal-look book) and let live again the empi 8, the centerline, the 2L and the Riviera (paint or not) etc... ! Yeeeeeeha ! 
Think about it ! 
Mike

While I respect you opinion fully, and I could possibly be provoked enough to give the same opinion while I'm drunk....

But I'm not drunk now... so here goes:
One can love the looks of the cal-look cars, or one can love the concept of the cal-look movement... call it the "life style", or just the thought of how it would be to be in a young growing innovative crowd back in the day.

It's been said time and time again by the the cal look guys of old, they didn't know what they started...  they didn't do it by a set of rules... if they were the rule-following-kind-of-guys, think about it, if they were rule lovers, we would not be having this discussion, and this website would not exist.

We all choose the challenges we want, some might like the challenge of making a photo-copy-look car, others, like me, is more intrigued by mental games in the line of "how would my car look if I was the foreign kid on the block somewhere in SoCal back in the day".

By the way, there was also other clubs than DKP back in the day... even thou it doesn't look like it in some books... and their cars didn't necessarily look exactly the same as the DKP cars...

Best regards
Jon
- In love with the concept

[Rennsurfer]

Slow panel, what's the story on this wheel?

Size, manufacturer, originally made for which car(s)?

Thanks in advance.

[Nico86]

[Rocket Ron]

wheel porn

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=880888

 

[roland]

While I respect you opinion fully, and I could possibly be provoked enough to give the same opinion while I'm drunk....

But I'm not drunk now... so here goes:
One can love the looks of the cal-look cars, or one can love the concept of the cal-look movement... call it the "life style", or just the thought of how it would be to be in a young growing innovative crowd back in the day.

It's been said time and time again by the the cal look guys of old, they didn't know what they started...  they didn't do it by a set of rules... if they were the rule-following-kind-of-guys, think about it, if they were rule lovers, we would not be having this discussion, and this website would not exist.

We all choose the challenges we want, some might like the challenge of making a photo-copy-look car, others, like me, is more intrigued by mental games in the line of "how would my car look if I was the foreign kid on the block somewhere in SoCal back in the day".

By the way, there was also other clubs than DKP back in the day... even thou it doesn't look like it in some books... and their cars didn't necessarily look exactly the same as the DKP cars...

Best regards
Jon
- In love with the concept

What i'm wondering is since when did ugly wheels become cool in the name of being different?

[Jon]

While I respect you opinion fully, and I could possibly be provoked enough to give the same opinion while I'm drunk....

But I'm not drunk now... so here goes:
One can love the looks of the cal-look cars, or one can love the concept of the cal-look movement... call it the "life style", or just the thought of how it would be to be in a young growing innovative crowd back in the day.

It's been said time and time again by the the cal look guys of old, they didn't know what they started...  they didn't do it by a set of rules... if they were the rule-following-kind-of-guys, think about it, if they were rule lovers, we would not be having this discussion, and this website would not exist.

We all choose the challenges we want, some might like the challenge of making a photo-copy-look car, others, like me, is more intrigued by mental games in the line of "how would my car look if I was the foreign kid on the block somewhere in SoCal back in the day".

By the way, there was also other clubs than DKP back in the day... even thou it doesn't look like it in some books... and their cars didn't necessarily look exactly the same as the DKP cars...

Best regards
Jon
- In love with the concept

What i'm wondering is since when did ugly wheels become cool in the name of being different?

The key to solving this mystery lies in the phrase "beauty lies in the eye of the beholder"

[Worm]

Here is what was considered cool in 78-82.  From "my" perspective.

BRM
Alloys (okay Fuchs)
2.0 litres
Centerlines
5 Spokes
8 Spokes
Chromies
PERIOD.

There were rarely any exceptions.  EVER.  (unless I totally forgot a wheel on the list)

NO ONE ran American 5's, No one ran Ansens, Sprint stars?  Gas Burners?  hah!  No friggin way!  Might as well have run Cragars, and flared your fenders.

Late 70's early 80's Cal Look see above list only.

NOW.....that being said, I happen to like seeing cars with unique period wheels now.  I get it.  I like the look.  But IMHO I do not ever recall anyone ever even getting a whiff of a chance of getting into DKK with any other wheel than on the above list.  (again, I am old and may have forgotten one)

[Neil Davies]

Here is what was considered cool in 78-82.  From "my" perspective.

BRM
Alloys (okay Fuchs)
2.0 litres
Centerlines
5 Spokes
8 Spokes
Chromies
PERIOD.

There were rarely any exceptions.  EVER.  (unless I totally forgot a wheel on the list)

NO ONE ran American 5's, No one ran Ansens, Sprint stars?  Gas Burners?  hah!  No friggin way!  Might as well have run Cragars, and flared your fenders.

Late 70's early 80's Cal Look see above list only.

NOW.....that being said, I happen to like seeing cars with unique period wheels now.  I get it.  I like the look.  But IMHO I do not ever recall anyone ever even getting a whiff of a chance of getting into DKK with any other wheel than on the above list.  (again, I am old and may have forgotten one)

But, if Cornpanzer Dave had shown up with his black '67 (with IDAs or the turbo beast!) and Porsche Americans, or Jim Kaforski with the blue '63 on gasburners (first car I remember thinking that they really "work" on, BTW), or Deano with his blue '67 on DDS wheels, would they have been turned away for not fitting in with the look?  I'm not being an asshole or anything, just curious!

[simon uk]

Obviously you are referring to 1 club, in a certain time period, but some of those wheels you mentioned as not being acceptable are run on cars from an earlier time, as photographed and evidenced in various publications (ansens and sprintstars), so it seems likely to me that fashions changed as time went on. I like pretty much all odd ball wide 5 wheels, or at least, I am happier to see cars running them than a modern reproduction. Some are uglier than others (Walkers always get canned) but even that makes them cool in my opinion! Whilst fuchs. small 5 american racings and gas burners are always nice, I personally would not want to lose the wide 5 bolt pattern, and unless you are building a modern german looker, I cant see why you would choose to swap it (although each to his/ her own, and if you want fuchs and you can afford it, then why not).

[Rennsurfer]

The key to solving this mystery lies in the phrase "beauty lies in the eye of the beholder"

Amen, brother Jon. Couldn't agree more.

[slow panel]

Slow panel, what's the story on this wheel?

Size, manufacturer, originally made for which car(s)?

Thanks in advance.

I bougt them in Germany last summer

size is 5.5 15 INCH

No manufacter inside

They fit an original fush hupcap  (see pics)

[slow panel]

Pics

[slow panel]

more

[slow panel]

pics

[slow panel]

 

[Rennsurfer]

I bougt them in Germany last summer

size is 5.5 15 INCH

No manufacter inside

They fit an original fush hupcap  (see pics)

Thanks for the reply. I really like those. Is there any way anyone can find out who made those and what car they were originally intended for? I'm guessing that lug pattern fits VW & Porsche 914, yes?

[Zach Gomulka]

Here is what was considered cool in 78-82.  From "my" perspective.

BRM
Alloys (okay Fuchs)
2.0 litres
Centerlines
5 Spokes
8 Spokes
Chromies
PERIOD.

Riviera's? No 914 Mahle's or Pedrini's yet?


I love my Porsche Cosmic's and wouldn't trade them for anything, even though they are TANKS.

[speedwell]

I bougt them in Germany last summer

size is 5.5 15 INCH

No manufacter inside

They fit an original fush hupcap  (see pics)

Thanks for the reply. I really like those. Is there any way anyone can find out who made those and what car they were originally intended for? I'm guessing that lug pattern fits VW & Porsche 914, yes?

mark , a friend of me own a set of those wheels , he don't know anything about those one , just he pick up those one  on a 914, who was imported from the US 20 years ago
fabs

[Rennsurfer]

mark , a friend of me own a set of those wheels , he don't know anything about those one , just he pick up those one  on a 914, who was imported from the US 20 years ago
fabs

VERY cool, Fabian... thanks for the pics. They look really good on that white car. Don't know if the Porsche cap is the correct one... but it looks rather fitting.

[speedwell]

it's not white it's  bermuda blue 

[Worm]

I forgot Rivi's.  Definately not near the top of the spectrum then, as they were probably the most affordable wheels at the time.  They were everywhere.  The old lady down the street had em on her ride.  I still see em on beaters around here all the time.  Though, polish out an old style set (rarer) and you got something interesting.  And yes, I was definately not looking to stir anything up.  I like all these old school wheels popping up.  I was just referring to a small period of time, not pre 77 or so.  It's just at Bug In or anywhere else in the OC, the list is all you really saw around here.  Pedrini's?  Can't say I ever remember showing up to a meeting and someone telling us how excited they were to score a set.  Never happened.
BUT.............. (big butt here), I say NOW they work.  The American 5's that are ridiculously expensive now are way back old school(DKP etc..) and were at the time not "modern" enough.  I think I remember seeing them mostly on widened fenders, blocked out side window, goofy customs then.  Too many shitty cars on the road that ran those.  The "old" wheels that were the hottest BAY FAR were BRM's.  Now if someone showed up to a meeting with a set of Berm's in hand....... thats when we ALL got excited.  They were super expensive back then too.
Hell, Im a HUGE fan of the Moons that Todd Fuller is running on his sweetie.  Dig em.  New wheel, different cool look.  Remind me of Halibrands kinda.
Once again, just offering some thoughts on what was hot in OC in the late 70's to real early 80's.
Yah see, you could pop into Johnnys Speed and Chrome and buy a set of repop Rivi's or 8 spokes.  But to get a set of alloys, or 2.0's you had to have a connection that would "locate" a set for you.  Place your order, wait till they told you they "found" a set.  Meet at Scotty's Drive In on Whittier and pay cash and dont ask where they came from.  It was tougher to get some of those wheels as they generally came off of running cars.
Do any of you Autohaus guys remember the stolen alloy ring out of the Buena Park store.  The one guy went to jail for two years fronting wheels over the counter.  There was serious risk envolved scoring a set of the fine wheels.  
Keep the pics coming.....
By now, in the new millenium the early era's have all kinda blended together and kinda exploded with this fun assortment of tasty wheels.  Run what yah like thats what it's all about.  We're all just hot rodders having some fun.  Apologies if I offended any.  Just throwing out 2 cents....
Peace and hair grease.

[Worm]

Here is what was considered cool in 78-82.  From "my" perspective.

BRM
Alloys (okay Fuchs)
2.0 litres
Centerlines
5 Spokes
8 Spokes
Chromies
PERIOD.

There were rarely any exceptions.  EVER.  (unless I totally forgot a wheel on the list)

NO ONE ran American 5's, No one ran Ansens, Sprint stars?  Gas Burners?  hah!  No friggin way!  Might as well have run Cragars, and flared your fenders.

Late 70's early 80's Cal Look see above list only.

NOW.....that being said, I happen to like seeing cars with unique period wheels now.  I get it.  I like the look.  But IMHO I do not ever recall anyone ever even getting a whiff of a chance of getting into DKK with any other wheel than on the above list.  (again, I am old and may have forgotten one)

But, if Cornpanzer Dave had shown up with his black '67 (with IDAs or the turbo beast!) and Porsche Americans, or Jim Kaforski with the blue '63 on gasburners (first car I remember thinking that they really "work" on, BTW), or Deano with his blue '67 on DDS wheels, would they have been turned away for not fitting in with the look?  I'm not being an asshole or anything, just curious!


Ahhhh you make a good point here.  DDS wheels were so rare back then I guess they would fall into the Centerline catagory with Mitchells as well.  So to answer your question you bet.  I sure they would have had they shown up then.  But I cant ever remember anyone running porsche americans then. And gas burners were odd at best back then.  Looked too much like the stock MBZ alloys of the time.  And yes they are nice now.  I get it.

[Shubee2 (DSK)]

this is the Order I would put them in
BRM
Empi 5 Spokes
Empi 8 Spokes
Chromies and Porsche caps
Alloys
Centerlines
Deano's
Rivieras
American Torque Thrust Wide 5
Big Wheels
2.0 Liters
Cookie Cutters

[Worm]

Big Wheels?  Wazzat?

I mostly agree with the list.  I'd mix it up a bit, but yeah, pretty much.  Chromies were probably the most affordable of them all.  Thats why I ran them on my first "real" car.  Then I was lucky enough to get a set of in the box original 5 spokes from Dee Berg for $50 each for the ol pervertable.  If only now...... ha.

Shubee how much were you buying or selling sets of BRM's for back then?  They were WAY out of my range.......  You had more than anyone for a spell.

A set of "found" alloys went for about $450 and 2.0's went for about $350 +/-.  Rivi's and chromies new were about $200.  No "borrowed" BRM's or anything Empi as those were protected as already on another brothers VW.  Borrowed wheels only came off of old Porsche's.

[LuftsickTero]

I bougt them in Germany last summer

size is 5.5 15 INCH

No manufacter inside

They fit an original fush hupcap  (see pics)

Thanks for the reply. I really like those. Is there any way anyone can find out who made those and what car they were originally intended for? I'm guessing that lug pattern fits VW & Porsche 914, yes?

mark , a friend of me own a set of those wheels , he don't know anything about those one , just he pick up those one  on a 914, who was imported from the US 20 years ago
fabs

Mike Z?

Somehow those wheels look more European than American.

[vwcab]

I bougt them in Germany last summer

size is 5.5 15 INCH

No manufacter inside

They fit an original fush hupcap  (see pics)

Thanks for the reply. I really like those. Is there any way anyone can find out who made those and what car they were originally intended for? I'm guessing that lug pattern fits VW & Porsche 914, yes?

mark , a friend of me own a set of those wheels , he don't know anything about those one , just he pick up those one  on a 914, who was imported from the US 20 years ago
fabs

Wheels look great on that type34.
(off topic)Hey Fabs,is this a new car on the scene?Never seen before.

[speedwell]

I bougt them in Germany last summer

size is 5.5 15 INCH

No manufacter inside

They fit an original fush hupcap  (see pics)

Thanks for the reply. I really like those. Is there any way anyone can find out who made those and what car they were originally intended for? I'm guessing that lug pattern fits VW & Porsche 914, yes?

mark , a friend of me own a set of those wheels , he don't know anything about those one , just he pick up those one  on a 914, who was imported from the US 20 years ago
fabs

Wheels look great on that type34.
(off topic)Hey Fabs,is this a new car on the scene?Never seen before.

no peter he 've this car from several years now , but he wants that she will be very comlete ( a lot of NOS stuff on that car ) and i know he 've some others type 34 NOS parts