Good news...... or bad news

[Turtle001]

FULLY POLISHED EMPI STYLE 5 SPOKE ALUMINUM WHEEL - 5.5 INCH WIDE X 15 INCH DIA. - 5X205MM PATTERN WITH CENTER CAP

"We have found a new supplier for the well know Empi style 5 and 8 spoke wheels. These wheel are closer to the original Empi wheels made in the 60's. The current American eagle wheel made in the USA are a poorer quality mass produced wheel with very old tooling, making for a lower quality finished product. We import these wheels from Europe and they are newly tooled and machined to the highest quality. These wheels do cost a little more, but they are worth every penny. Unlike the USA wheels, we can offer these new wheels in the the 5x112mm Bus - Vanagon wheel pattern."

is this good news or bad news?

[Gregor/DFL]

For me-it´s definetly bad news somehow.
Supllier for this wheel is midland wheel supplies (MWS) in UK. They made the copy of the 5 spoke without the bolted center cap now for a several years, in quiet good quality. They look almost similar to the American Wheel ones.
This type is still existing at midland wheel supplies, they just launched the other version a a 2nd style of the same basic wheel.
Check it out at:
http://www.midlandwheels.com/

Well, I ordered my wheel set a few months ago at Custom & Speed Parts in Germany - they are the official dealer for MWS wheels in Germany.
Unfortuanetly I bought the "non-bolt" style to get the infomation that the "bolt" one is available two weeks later...
Reason was that MWS didn´t inform the dealers in Europe so CSP was surprised as I was.

Coming to "Repro vs. Original" in general:
I love the original and vintage Empi 5 spokes, but I wouldn´t dare to mount them on a street car due to the danger of cracks.
So I think it´s OK to run wide 5 repros on street cars concerning "safety issues".
For a car mainly running on 1/4 mile I would always prefer original if possible/available.

[Frank LUX]

For a car mainly running on 1/4 mile I would always prefer original if possible/available.

Hmmm,

I would NEVER race an O.G. Empi 5 Spoke on the 1/4 Mile....

Way to risky in my opinion...If it lets go at Top Speed....

Frank

[Gregor/DFL]

So that means:

Vintage Empi 5 spokes only for deco purposes

Or running vintage Empi 5s on the street with a max of 30 km/h-real cruiser alike

[Jon]

I'm with you Frank...

What I would do is test the wheels for cracks, to make sure.
And if they are in good condition I would use them on the street... carefully....

[Luftkraft]

And if they are in good condition I would use them on the street... carefully....

would you explain «carefully» to me, please. I really don't know how to drive a true cal looker «carefully» whether it's street or strip

[speedwell]

I would say that to you when I roll with my car, but i m afraid  of broken them , it is for  that i ' would like to take up my crestlines but for that he  still needs that I put a narrowed front beam 

[Jon]

And if they are in good condition I would use them on the street... carefully....

would you explain «carefully» to me, please. I really don't know how to drive a true cal looker «carefully» whether it's street or strip

I think my" carefully" might translate into your "normal" driving style.... 
What I mean is don't take 90° corners in 80 with a full car while braking hard...

[speedwell]

I must say that my OG empi 8 already suffered with me , all days while returning from work I transversely put the car at the same crossroads, and it never released me that they are true rims for  cal ook

[SOB/RFH]

I used my OG Empi 8 spokes with slicks all the time......and nothing happend!! Anyway, there are at least 3 diffrent versions of the 5 spoke....2 of them are great wheels and 1 is not. So if you got the right ones, you are a happy camper going side ways in Cal-look style!! Happiness is a Hot VW!!

[Frank LUX]

I must say that my OG empi 8 already suffered with me , all days while returning from work I transversely put the car at the same crossroads, and it never released me that they are true rims for  cal ook

You're talking about Street use, with a Max of 60HP, we are talking about racing with 150-200HP....

NO F....ng Way!!!

Sorry

Frank

[speedwell]