Wanted: The facts about EMPI 5-spokes

[SplitMan]

Finally I have a set in hand.... no cracks, no curbing, very nice set of OG 5-spokes.

Now comes the restoration.....therefore:

- Where they delivered in various colors and always with a polished lip? Or - were they all some sort of grey-color....was there a no surface treatment option?
- Has anyone researched and found the exact and proper RAL-color code for the (one?) original color(s)?
- The painted part...what finish was it? Shiny or semi-gloss? Wrinkle finish?
- Center caps...they were cast alu, right? Who reproduces these in exact finish?
- Stickers....all orange or various colors? Who reproduces the absolute best ones?

Any and all help appreciated.....who owns the absolutely best original untouched NOS sample? (And will you post some pictures...?)

Thank you in forehand!

[speedwell]

hey splitman there's a similar topic  watch http://cal-look.no/lounge/index.php/topic,4710.msg69300.html#msg69300 

[edcraig]

Original EMPI 5 Spokes = PoLished Lip....spokes, offered in one color only, (material gray).

Trivia:  Whne the original EMPI shut down, Auto-Haus bought up thier inventory of 5 Spoke and 8 Spoke Wheels for $5.00 each.

[empicolector]

Original EMPI 5 Spokes = PoLished Lip....spokes, offered in one color only, (material gray).

Trivia:  Whne the original EMPI shut down, Auto-Haus bought up thier inventory of 5 Spoke and 8 Spoke Wheels for $5.00 each.

whaouwww
did they get BRMS too

[edcraig]

The BRMs were already long gone. 

[SplitMan]

Original EMPI 5 Spokes = PoLished Lip....spokes, offered in one color only, (material gray).

Trivia:  Whne the original EMPI shut down, Auto-Haus bought up thier inventory of 5 Spoke and 8 Spoke Wheels for $5.00 each.

Thanks! Can anyone specify the "material grey"-color?

[SplitMan]

OK... I will "enable" a good grey color... I have got the lead on the best stickers (thanks Turtle001 !).

But....where do I buy the best-by-far center caps ??

[Airborne]

Hi Splitman :-)

Have attached pics of my NOS 5-spoke.
The lip is polished and the center is gray. Not painted though, but have a finish like if you glass bead blast it.
Bjorn

[Airborne]

1

[Airborne]

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[Georg/DFL]

That's an interesting topic. Some of the old guys say the 5 spokes came unpainted, some say they came in a grey color and my (copied) Empi catalog says they come in the colors "sand" and "gun metal grey", if I remeber correctly.

Where are the Empi collectors? What do the catalogs say?

[speedwell]

That's an interesting topic. Some of the old guys say the 5 spokes came unpainted, some say they came in a grey color and my (copied) Empi catalog says they come in the colors "sand" and "gun metal grey", if I remeber correctly.

Where are the Empi collectors? What do the catalogs say?

no gunmetal grey georg , but came in sand cast or  mag grey   
airborne yours is surely an "sand cast" one
rgd
fabs

[speedwell]

here's the mag grey finish , like el dub and kobus wheels

[Rennsurfer]

Yep, which is why I personally sandblasted mine. Great look, low maint. and I wanted the original untouched appearance.

[speedwell]

Yep, which is why I personally sandblasted mine. Great look, low maint. and I wanted the original untouched appearance.

like mine mark 

[Rennsurfer]

like mine mark 

Really? You got to sandblast your own wheels? COOL! I still remember buying my wheels. Going over to the shop where I used be a mechanic, asking the owner if I could borrow the beadblaster booth, and blasting the spoke area of my wheels. I was so happy when we took them out into the sun, that day. Next day, I took them over to Crystal Polishing and they took care of making the outter lips like new again. GOOD TIMES!

[speedwell]