WOLFGANG posted:Project Hindenberg or Bismark! No problem, will send Cory Drake by with his Saw-z-all!
And maybe a bag of hinges too!
Seems CIP1 has 15x5.5" fake Fuchs on sale for $99 each (FREE shipping and no sales tax!). They have a 5" backspace wheel! (I may order set and have them sent to BobG's house so wife doesn't see them).
5": http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDe...uctCode=ACC-C10-6648
WOLFGANG posted:Seems CIP1 has 15x5.5" fake Fuchs on sale for $99 each (FREE shipping and no sales tax!). They have a 5" backspace wheel! (I may order set and have them sent to BobG's house so wife doesn't see them).
5": http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDe...uctCode=ACC-C10-6648
Wow... Can't get a new steel factory wheel that cheap. That purchase would definitely go in the "Mama don't know" warehouse!
Re sectioning the body: I did that to Bridget's fenders last winter (in order to fit proper MWS wire wheels). Took some time but it wasn't difficult. A real painter with real paint would've made it invisible.
Use a quality cut off wheel vs a sawzall/jig saw...and shop vac attachment!
edsnova posted:Re sectioning the body: I did that to Bridget's fenders last winter (in order to fit proper MWS wire wheels). Took some time but it wasn't difficult. A real painter with real paint would've made it invisible.
looks like a good job to me! Ughh, that is another thing I need to learn, working in Fiberglass ...
Brian
"On another note, did you ever take a look at the chromed Empi's? Just wondering how durable the finish is."
Brian, I saw a set of the chrome Empi (Fuchs) and they look just fine. I think they are what Eddy has on his coupe. Just like any other chrome/polished wheel finish, just need routine cleaning off of the brake dust (I have disc all around) and a bit of wheel polish so that the wheel finish doesn't get pitted. @RacerX 
MusbJim posted:"On another note, did you ever take a look at the chromed Empi's? Just wondering how durable the finish is."
Brian, I saw a set of the chrome Empi (Fuchs) and they look just fine. I think they are what Eddy has on his coupe. Just like any other chrome/polished wheel finish, just need routine cleaning off of the brake dust (I have disc all around) and a bit of wheel polish so that the wheel finish doesn't get pitted. @RacerX
Cool. I like these fifteen52 wheels too, but they go for $700 ea! Oh well, Back to the Empi's ...
I think I'd go with simple polished Aluminum - something about "EMPI" & "Chrome" in same sentence scares me. Chrome chips off and you're stuck - polished aluminum gets dirty and easy to hit with Mother's aluminum polish to bring back the shine.
RacerX posted:MusbJim posted:"On another note, did you ever take a look at the chromed Empi's? Just wondering how durable the finish is."
Brian, I saw a set of the chrome Empi (Fuchs) and they look just fine. I think they are what Eddy has on his coupe. Just like any other chrome/polished wheel finish, just need routine cleaning off of the brake dust (I have disc all around) and a bit of wheel polish so that the wheel finish doesn't get pitted. @RacerX
Cool. I like these fifteen52 wheels too, but they go for $700 ea! Oh well, Back to the Empi's ...
Oh... I don't know... $700.00 a wheel isn't so bad. Buy once. Cry once.
TRP posted:RacerX posted:MusbJim posted:"On another note, did you ever take a look at the chromed Empi's? Just wondering how durable the finish is."
Brian, I saw a set of the chrome Empi (Fuchs) and they look just fine. I think they are what Eddy has on his coupe. Just like any other chrome/polished wheel finish, just need routine cleaning off of the brake dust (I have disc all around) and a bit of wheel polish so that the wheel finish doesn't get pitted. @RacerX
Cool. I like these fifteen52 wheels too, but they go for $700 ea! Oh well, Back to the Empi's ...
Oh... I don't know... $700.00 a wheel isn't so bad. Buy once. Cry once.
I would have to wear a terry cloth shirt for all those tears ...
I found micro fiber works well.
Note taken ...
Don't get the EMPI chrome, you'll regret it...
Bill Prout posted:Don't get the EMPI chrome, you'll regret it...
Why, Is the plating not good or durable?
try adjusting rear camber, you can run 1 1/2 degree negative, it might work without wheel rub,thats as much as you can run on the street without wearing tires quickly. bill
CHROME - I just don't think chrome plating is as good as it was back in (gold ole) '60's. The chemicals and processes used in chrome plating are not friendly to the environment. There are many steps in the chrome plating process. Take a small piece to a chrome platters and check out the cost. EMPI of all folks would take short cuts. "Curb" a chrome plated wheel and its ruined - moisture will get under the remain chrome and corrode the aluminum alloy. No way to repair other than costly stripping and re-applying. I've tried chromed engine bits, chrome Mangle wheels, chromed dune buggy exhausts - all are on steel and rust quickly. I have no experience with the chrome plated Empi wheels.
That and it's maybe a little too much bling on a "vintage" Speedster. It fits a '50 American car but not a Speedster - in my opinion.
Appreciate the reply Wolfgang. My car is either going to be a blue/gray mono color or Speedster metallic blue which takes me back to those Fifteen52 wheels. I was pondering getting some Empi Fuchs as a base, have a Fab shop cut some smallish windows in each spoke. Have the wheel powder coated (Lighter gray for example) and then hit the background with black epoxy. You could choose to leave the lip raw and polish that for a different look. There are still a lot of possibilities not mentioned. Of course I like the whole outlaw look, but I want it to look a little civilized too. The Chrome catches your eye but may be too blingy as you mentioned.
Brian
Attachments
Images (1)
What Gregg said.
I'd do some engineering home work before you start cutting out paddle windows in wheels that aren't originally designed that way (I don't know)
Cut holes in them! It's a light car. Lighten them up. They'll be fine...
I knew you'd catch the attention of Swiss Cheese AL! I think you'd be asking for cracks to develop - especially on cheaply cast wheels. There's enough chance of air bubble as it is in the castings.
For sure I would have to check the thickness of the spokes before any of that would happen. I think the Fifteen52’s are forged in comparison. Maybe $700 isn’t too much (Cough cough...). You know the quote “ I want to be different, just like everybody else”.
Art posted:Brian;
Have you seen these empi's?. Look a bit like some after market 911 wheels.
Yah, there are some things that could be done with coloring on this wheel too! Looks like a 4- lugger at that. Replica give away!
WOLFGANG posted:I knew you'd catch the attention of Swiss Cheese AL! I think you'd be asking for cracks to develop - especially on cheaply cast wheels. There's enough chance of air bubble as it is in the castings.
What are you talking about, Greg! Some nice rounded corners and they'll be fine!
There is a similar model in 5 lug, 5 spoke, the holes are round.
ALB posted:WOLFGANG posted:I knew you'd catch the attention of Swiss Cheese AL! I think you'd be asking for cracks to develop - especially on cheaply cast wheels. There's enough chance of air bubble as it is in the castings.
What are you talking about, Greg! Some nice rounded corners and they'll be fine!
I haven’t got my sarcasm meter on yet. Do you think it is a legitimate choice?
The little smiley face is telling you, Brian, that I'm full of sh*t and to not listen to a word I say...
I do think Magnus Walker's wheels would be really cool, though. Does he give weights for them on his website? And iIrc he makes them in 16" so there's some decent tire choices?
PS- I believe the wheels Art posted a picture of are called Cosmics. They came in 4x and 5x 130mm bolt patterns. Don't remember how light they are.
RacerX posted:
Appreciate the reply Wolfgang. My car is either going to be a blue/gray mono color or Speedster metallic blue which takes me back to those Fifteen52 wheels. I was pondering getting some Empi Fuchs as a base, have a Fab shop cut some smallish windows in each spoke. Have the wheel powder coated (Lighter gray for example) and then hit the background with black epoxy. You could choose to leave the lip raw and polish that for a different look. There are still a lot of possibilities not mentioned. Of course I like the whole outlaw look, but I want it to look a little civilized too. The Chrome catches your eye but may be too blingy as you mentioned.
Brian
That is one darn BEAUTIFUL speedster......really a great looking car
. Any more pics or closeups?
@Banzai Pipeline - that's the car from SEMA last year. It was purpose built to be in a booth for a tire company.
http://www.speedhunters.com/20...es-outlaw-speedster/
Some of the info in the article was questionable. Chalk it up to hyperbole from the author.
TRP posted:@Banzai Pipeline - that's the car from SEMA last year. It was purpose built to be in a booth for a tire company.
http://www.speedhunters.com/20...es-outlaw-speedster/Some of the info in the article was questionable. Chalk it up to hyperbole from the author.
Read the article...great from the outside but the interior looks like a whore-house(LOL) or some French 1600s Versailles puff palace. But the paint was done well
. Interesting article indeed and thank you for the perspective. Beauty can be SKIN DEEP....
SEMA seems OK with a replica showcased with Porsche emblems on it .... P lawyers may not be 
The outside looks so right, but they sure junked up the interior. I do love the wheels, but 145's and 155's for tires? IDA's on a 1915? I'd forgotten how much of a show-piece (and not a driver) it is.
PS- Just saw your last post, Banzai; love the comments on the interior!
And you have to wonder how much it will get driven with the diamond tufting on the engine compartment firewall. I stand by my earlier (way earlier- the first time we saw this car) comment that the people who built that car don't understand what a Speedster is about...Al
ALB posted:The outside looks so right, but they sure junked up the interior. I do love the wheels, but 145's and 155's for tires? IDA's on a 1915? I'd forgotten how much of a show-piece (and not a driver) it is.
PS- Just saw your last post, Banzai; love the comments on the interior!
I was trying to be kind...but got a good laugh myself
RacerX posted:I was pondering getting some Empi Fuchs as a base, have a Fab shop cut some smallish windows in each spoke. Have the wheel powder coated (Lighter gray for example) and then hit the background with black epoxy. You could choose to leave the lip raw and polish that for a different look. There are still a lot of possibilities not mentioned. Of course I like the whole outlaw look, but I want it to look a little civilized too. The Chrome catches your eye but may be too blingy as you mentioned.
Brian
If you purchased replica Fuchs and did all that work to them, how close would you be to the $730.00 per wheel that Magnus is asking for those Fifteen52 wheels? I also bet the Fifteen52 wheels are stronger and lighter than the replica Fuchs even after you had them 'lightened' with the holes. I think those are good ideas, but I'd be worried about the integrity of the Fuchs wheel after you have 'em machined on a lathe/mill to open those holes up.
Essentially, it cost me $325 per wheel, Funny money, to have each OE Fuch wheel to be refinished. Add that to the cost and then you start getting close to a custom wheel of course it is depending on your wheel. 
Just get the 15 52's and don't you dare put "Cosmics" on, they look horrible!
IaM-Ray posted:Essentially, it cost me $325 per wheel, Funny money, to have each OE Fuch wheel to be refinished. Add that to the cost and then you start getting close to a custom wheel of course it is depending on your wheel.
Yikes....Hello Magnus, yah, about those wheels...
