Alloy wide 5's (Period correct replica rims)

Calling all petrol heads!
A client and I are thinking of producing an alloy replica of the period correct wide 5, vented rim you would find on a Speedster/Spyder. They will look something like the picture attached. I am just trying to get an idea of the market and I value all of your opinions. Please let me know if you would be interested, if you would like to buy a set, (it will be a month or two before they go into production) etc etc. What would you expect to pay? Any feedback is appreciated.

Width? Diameter? Backspacing? Shipping from So Africa? DOT/TUV inspected/approved? Would be questions I would ask up front.

Very nice. There's already a US manufacturer (Bivens) but they are hideously expensive. I'm sure you could find a ready market here if the price can be a bit more reasonable.

Do a little research as to what the original 356s wheels were like. Post your question on the 356 Registry and ask for as much information and potential interest as they can provide. If you can meet THEIR needs, you'll come out of this endeavor a millionaire.

Speak with the Emorys at Parts Obsolete, they are the God Father's of the Outlaw 356 and can give you information on the market and demand. No doubt they'll be your first big order.

If you can do this thing, you're a GOD to these guys.

LUCK ! ! ! !


ForuM PrIcK

I bought some of those hideously expensive West Coast Haus wheels Lane was referring to (George Brown called them "Bivens", and the name stuck here). With the death of Boyd Coddington (who made the wheels for Alex Bivens), they are presently unobtanium. Ironically, I bought George Brown's wheels from the eventual owner of George's Intermeccanica (who wanted to go back to chrome). I don't know for sure, but I think George's car (wheels on mine now), Jim Ward's car (now Allan Shapiro's), and Brooks Walton's car were the only replicas that ever got a set.

I'd thing there was a market for a nice alloy wide five wheel, mostly for the "real" 356 registry crowd who are used to paying a lot for such things- although it hasn't really proven itself to be the case as several companies have tried to market them, and failed.

Good luck in your venture.

One more thing....

Here's a link to pretty much every permutation of wide 5, and Porsche pattern alloy wheel "suitable" for a 356, courtesy of "the registry". Enjoy:

http://www.356registry.org/Tech/wheels.html

You'll notice that the Technomagnesio are true magnesium wheels and weigh(ed) 9 lbs (a Mangle 5.5 weighs 19 lbs), West Coast Haus wheels weighed 10.5 lbs in 5" and 11.5 lbs in 6". West Coast Haus wheels were available in custom offsets, which was really nice for cars like mine (with a CB wide 5 disc kit that wasn't supposed to add to the track, but did). I think the Technomagnseio wheels were available in any width or offset you wanted, as long as it was 5.5" with standard offset.

Roger---make sure that the wheels are round. This is a problem with so many of these wheels---I guess I'm talking about my experiences with Chinese ones.---Jack

what about the pannasport wheels, that are a copy of the old mini lites.bill

Those (and Superlites) are may favorite wheels in the world. They look great on 356 coupes, but I've never seen a set on a Speedster. Here is a set on a 356C Coupe.

I'm really surprised to find those "kidney bean" Ansens on the list that Stan posted. Just a little bit Gasser, aren't they?

The Panasports and Mini-lites look SO much like the common Empi repros, it's no wonder the Empis look so sweet on a Speedster.

That's a neat list, Stan. Thanks !



ForUM PriCk

Hey guys, thanks for all the input! You guys rule the world!

To answer a few questions:
For now I think we will stick with the standard offsets and sizes for now , 5.5J, 15

$1180 for a set of 4 is actually a very good price if you can maintain good, consistent quality at that price. Good luck with your venture. I might be a customer some day.

Roger, if you can get the offset right, I might be an eventual customer also. We'd be looking for a six-inch front and a seven-inch rear; three and three, three and four inside.
Right now, the CenterLines we have are a dimensional match for our tires -- that came with an exorbitant pricetag. We could sell them for what we paid pretty easily.
An original look would be much more our speed. We're after the '50s LeMans look.

West Coast Haus wheels were north of $2K for a set, and you are right- it was nuts.

The way I am thinking of making up the rim it should not be a problem to do custom offsets. I thought 5.5J rims were a little too wide for a Speedster :) You run 7J rears!... nice :) Beautiful ride and great pics too.

Roger, put together a 16" wheel and I would be very interested.

hmmm, 16", for all the Spyder guys! Good idea. That will have to come a little later though :)

Okay guys.

I had a little time to get some rough layouts done.

I still need to do lots of work, but here are some pics of the model.

SO far it is the standard 5.5J 15" wide 5 alloy rim.
As I refine the model I will be able to see where I can move offsets etc. Stay tuned :)

Roger