The Cal-look Lounge

Hey guys, I'm lookin for a few opinions regarding the quality of Flat 4 Fuchs. I'm starting a new project and I like the look of original Fuchs. Of course I would like 4.5's on the front, 5.5's on the rear. Originals will cost me 3-4k, Flat 4's a fraction of that. What I want to know is side by side are their any noticeable differences? Will the original center caps fit the Flat 4 wheels? I appreciate any and all comments.

thanks

-jeffrey

The Flat4 Fuchs are not available at the moment....
Want 4 of these for my project, but now i must use the genue ones.
They dont look's so different.

Mario/DKT

I’m running the flat 4’s...  4,5 and 5,5.  Sure there are little differences of the original ones but I think it is the best looking replica on the market.  I’ve seen other replicas and these models have too sharp spokes… you can see within a mile that these are fake.  But with the flat 4’s I already got some reaction that some people thought that they were the real deal…  So, they look nice!  I’ve painted them black/polished myself and the results are nice.  You can also fit original Porsche hubcaps…

I would say: go for it.  Nice wheels for a nice price!   :P

Fred/Mark: I'm not looking at the chrome ones, I'd get the aluminium ones and have them annodised and painted.

Wolfwest: What are those little differences?

-jeffrey

Well, hopefully you have seen a set, but didn't know they were from Flat 4.

I'm still waiting to learn what the "differences" are. I read something that the originals used standard rubber valve stems instead of the billit variety. What else are the noticable differences or ways to identify Flat 4's offerings from the Fuchs [less the obvious markings on the back of the rim].

-jeffrey

there is a little mark between one spoke and the "cup" and I think that this mark is nog on the real deal...  the hubcaps doesnt say: "porsche" but you can replace these...

Are you talking about the stamped mark next to the valve stem? Is that the only difference? I also see that Flat 4 sells the correct Stuttgart center caps

-jeffrey

Flat4 Fuchs are really nice. A friend use it on his Oval and difference is very small!
It is a good way to have a nice set of new wheels at a decent price.  ;)


(http://blogsimages.skynet.be/images_v2/002/627/628/20080126/dyn005_original_843_562_jpeg_2627628_3e8eb90212831a3761dab0a6da894b44.jpg)

Yea, they do look nice but everyone says that the differences are small but not what those differences are. Has anyone ever did a side by side comparison of the two? Other than the stamp, is there anything else? Is the shape of the spokes the same? The vent holes? Or if it wasn't for the even the most learned Porsche enthusiast wouldn't be able to tell the difference?

-jeffrey

Flat4 as the same design as early Fuchs. "Deep" design and the heart hole where the valve is.

The bolts are specifics and not the same as the Fuchs, but, who care?

I think the difference with the stamp is because originals ones are tube type and the Flat4 are tubeless.

 ;)

The thinkness of the material at the vent holes might be greater on the repros, due to being cast versus forged, as the originals were.

the spokes look a little flater on the flat 4's but are a nice way to go for the $$$

the wheels lookink great , but forget the caps from flat4 !!!

What's wrong with their caps?

-jeffrey

They are yellowish...

see the pict from J-F  , the flat4 caps are not in aluminium !!!

yellowish?

(http://cjvws.com/hosted/cap.jpg)

-jeffrey

Oh man...  I saw that oval @ the freddy files, what a car!!  I love it.  More pictures or specs anybody?
Jeffrey, sorry to hijack your post.  Maybe we could make another post for the oval specs and pictures...

Dem

No worries, one last question, if springing for the Flat 4 caps is a bad idea, which original caps fit the Flat 4 wheels? I understand there are a few different styles.

-jeffrey

this is the "shrek-mobile" ( the best hamburger cooking master !!! ) , crazy finish car .
your caps look great , maybe a new version !!
the 1st version was really "yellowwish" .
try to find original caps .

It is François Delvaux alias Shrek car.  :D

It was feature in a super vw mag 2 or 3 years ago I think.

Engine is a 1915cc with IDA. (Recently added, first he run 44 IDF. ). Gearbox is from KCR since the Rancho is broken.

The car was first restored and painted in a shop not far from my house, but with a really poor result.
François ask Pat from Nivelles (the well known shop in Belgium  ;D ) to restore it correctly, with his result  8)

You can take a look to his blog (http://shrek57.skynetblogs.be/)

I belive its the Late Cap that fits.

As opposed to the three prong?

-jeffrey

Yup! Three is early, and the ring type late.

Yes the flat 4 fuchs use the later center caps. I have no direct experience but my friend has done some research on these new wheels due to the inflated cost of originals. The repop 4.5" wheels dont look right to me because the snout is too large.

I just bought a set last month from CIP. I got the lugs, studs, caps and wheels. I then sent them to Al Reed to have the black detail taped and powder coated.

I have to say they look as good as a set of real ones that I had about six years ago.

I have a silly query; what size are the wheels on this car? I'm guessing 6" on the backs? Either way, looks like if you get some factory caps that match, color-wise, you'll be good to go, Jeffrey. From the looks of this picture, they look great. I've always dug on non-polished Fuchs five spokes with the black background... just like the way they came on earlier 911 cars. Easy to take care of and shows off the wheel much better. But... to each their own.

(http://blogsimages.skynet.be/images_v2/002/627/628/20080126/dyn005_original_843_562_jpeg_2627628_3e8eb90212831a3761dab0a6da894b44.jpg)

I'm plannin on doing the same thing. What did Al charge you to do them up? How long did it take?

-jeffrey

Early sets of Flat4 polished Fuchs needed a good buff if you were going for a gleaming look, I think they have now sorted this so they should arrive bang on !

Superb copies and without a lot the hassle you get with old rims.

I´ve been told that they will be available again in about a month.

I'm going for the anodised and painted look, no bling for me.

-jeffrey

what do you mean with a bood buff?  good polish job?  In the flat 4's that I have the polish is not that great, you can't clean them very nice...  they always looks like they have been out in the rain or something, hard to explain..  I havn't tried with a special product tough...

Sets we had sold in the past looked a bit dull when they arrived and you could see fine polish scratches on the surface. We polished them by hand (gave them a good buff  ;)) with Meguires metal polish and they came up superb, no scratches and gleaming..............bit annoying that we had to do that but it saved the day more than once, some buyers were putt off by the dull look.

Only problem is you will probably have to polish them every now and then............Meguires works a treat !!!

I asked this afternoon to François. Wheels are 4.5 front and 5.5 rear.  ;)

Yes, they are. And they look quite nice.
Nowadays,if you want a nice set of original fuchs, or classical wheels from the past generally, you have to break the bank...

My recent pricing of a set of 4.5's and 5.5's were coming in more than I paid for the car they are going on. So that's why I'm looking at Flat 4's offering.

-jeffrey

(http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/2015/jeanphi1jc3.jpg)

Flat4 with a little work and some paint.
A good price/result ratio for me.

Has anyone anoidised there Flat 4 fuchs? Any pics to share?

Thanks

David Gouk

Fuchs is planning to go in production again with the "old" Fuchs wheels again !! The are not realy sure which ones they will make and when , but they think about it.
www.fuchsfelge.de , there you can sign in for their newsletter.
So who knows , maybe in some time you have the option to buy the real thing  ;D

got to love the book ends 8), but at 250 euros  ;D

Hey Mark, just remembered, Dustin's 69' from DKP has the Flat4 Fuchs which for along time thought they were real, also Scotts Ghia too, Flat4's. and they look good! I have a real set of late 6's, was even thinking of selling to get a set of the Flat4's cause of the offset and the early look. But that's a hard decision.

Ted

How about fine media blasting the Flat four fuchs to take the shine off and part way replicate the anodised finish? I'm not sure you could anodise a cast wheel.

Ted, I have some late 6's as well, Did you ever have them on the front of your car with a stock width beam, lowered?  Not sure to keep them and get a narrowed beam or sell the  late 6's and to get the flat 4 fuchs, Do you think a stock width beam,4.5 fuchs, dropped spindles and 145's would work?

Decsions...Any input would be appreciated.

sure it works:

(http://www.cal-look.nl/gallery/albums/userpics/10013/normal_IMG_0752.jpg) (http://www.cal-look.nl/gallery/albums/userpics/10013/IMG_0752.jpg)

though IMHO i'd go with late 6s up front, save the dropped spindles.
4.5" fuchs are resto wheels  ;) ;D

i've had 4 1/2 and 5 1/2s up front with a stock and narrowed beam

the ideal if you are going to drive the car more than a 1000 miles a year is dropped spindles with 5 1/5's  and 155/ 145 tyres with a full width beam. this worked best  for me


for show you cant beat a little narrowing with 135/145 and 4 1/2's and dropped spindles but it dont drive that well

There, I've corrected it for you! ;D

cheers but I've seen you your posts on there, we all know you're a little bit resto  ;) ;D

Sssssh!  :-X :-X :-X :-X  ;D

Thanks 67 indeed, Very nice car you have there. So are they flat four wheels front and rear? 4.5 and 5.5? CB dropped spindles? stock disc brakes? Tyre size?  Thanks.

On the edge, do you have any pics of your combo? It would be appreciated. Thanks

4 1/2 and 2 " cb narrowed beam

5 1/2 and full width beam

flat 6's all round narrowed beam

Nice looking car! and thanks for the pics.

the blue 67 ain't mine, it's my clubmate jeroen's.
if i remember correctly he's got 4.5" and 5.5" wheels on 135/80 and F60 wide ovals. stock width beam, dropped spindles and kerscher disc brakes.

Looking GOOD!
What size tyres in these pics?
Dropped spindles?
Thanks!

Hi

they're 5 1/2 early fuchs with deep sixes on the back full width Lowered beam wound right up with a set of cb dropped spindles 145 x 15 firestones on the front 205 x 70 bridgestones on the back. 

Hope that helps   

regards Ron

 Is that with dropped spindles Ron?

(http://www.cjvws.com/hosted/my69.v3.jpg)

Here's my '69 with 5.5" earlies in the front and Deep 6 earlies in the rear, 2" narrowed Airkewld beam with CB dropped spindles and CB discs in the front. I got 5x130 discs from CB for the front and a set of 5x130 drums for the rear. 145XZX Michelin's in front and 185 Michelin's in the rear. I originally had Flat Four Fuchs in my sites but held out and picked up a set of five [3x5.5's, 2x6"'s] for a decent price through a few local swap meets. I spent more than I would have for the Flat Fours but if I ever want to sell them, I'm sure I'll get my money back.

-jeffrey

Looks great Jeffrey!  Now you need to be driving here in Southern California!

Notice the stickers? Jersey chapter represents!

One of these days I'll bring her home for a proper cruise.

-jeffrey

Car looks real nice Jeffery, late models rock!  ::)  ;D

Ted

She belongs on PCH, Jeffrey  ;)
Miss Ya  :-*

Maybe, but for now she rocks the turnpike!

-jeffrey