Wheels
- Thread starter el fayce
- 223 comments
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- 28,765
- a baby, candy, it's like taking.
- TexRex72
Revisiting polycasts. These were optional on seventh generation Ford Thunderbird and their Mercury Cougar siblings.
The aluminum "turbine" wheels that were available on these cars are maybe more objectively attractive--they're definitely lighter--but I appreciate polycasts because they're polycasts.
- 12,708
- Seattle-ish
I'm not even sure what polycast means. Are they cast in separate pieces and then assembled?Revisiting polycasts. These were optional on seventh generation Ford Thunderbird and their Mercury Cougar siblings.
The aluminum "turbine" wheels that were available on these cars are maybe more objectively attractive--they're definitely lighter--but I appreciate polycasts because they're polycasts.
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- 28,765
- a baby, candy, it's like taking.
- TexRex72
They're a basic steel wheel into which a more complex design is polymer cast. Tooling up is much less costly than for cast metal wheels, but they also tend to be much heavier than aluminum or magnesium counterparts due to the steel wheel base and the additional weight of the cast design.
Pontiac's "Honeycomb" is probably the most popular example, even if people aren't aware that it is one.
- 12,708
- Seattle-ish
Ah, got it. Thank you.They're a basic steel wheel into which a more complex design is polymer cast. Tooling up is much less costly than for cast metal wheels, but they also tend to be much heavier than aluminum or magnesium counterparts due to the steel wheel base and the additional weight of the cast design.
Pontiac's "Honeycomb" is probably the most popular example, even if people aren't aware that it is one.
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- 594
- America's Land of Dairy
- ShobTheGrob
- Shob The Grob
Yesterday I was reminded of these:
The C5 Corvette had a really sweet magnesium wheel option offered throughout the entire production run (barring the initial batch of '97 models and Z06s)...if you were willing to tack on $3,000 to the sticker price. Even though that price dropped over the years (all the way down to $995 for '04) they ended up being a fairly rare option, which is a shame because IMO it's the best looking factory wheel the C5 had. I think it's the off-broze color that really makes them pop.
The C5 Corvette had a really sweet magnesium wheel option offered throughout the entire production run (barring the initial batch of '97 models and Z06s)...if you were willing to tack on $3,000 to the sticker price. Even though that price dropped over the years (all the way down to $995 for '04) they ended up being a fairly rare option, which is a shame because IMO it's the best looking factory wheel the C5 had. I think it's the off-broze color that really makes them pop.
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- 11,304
- Marin County
It's a close race with the C6 & C2, and the interior is total trash, but I find the C5 to be the best looking Corvette ever. I agree on the mag wheels too. They remind me of one of my favorite aftermarket wheels, made by OZ. I don't know the particular model name*, but I know they were on some limited production cars in the 90s and 00s, such as the Venturi Atlantique
*Is there a comprehensive wheel encyclopedia somewhere?
*Is there a comprehensive wheel encyclopedia somewhere?
- 48,719
- Australia
Those should be the Chrono wheels. I think the Esprit V8 had a version and those were on the USA Lancer OZ model.It's a close race with the C6 & C2, and the interior is total trash, but I find the C5 to be the best looking Corvette ever. I agree on the mag wheels too. They remind me of one of my favorite aftermarket wheels, made by OZ. I don't know the particular model name*, but I know they were on some limited production cars in the 90s and 00s, such as the Venturi Atlantique
*Is there a comprehensive wheel encyclopedia somewhere?
- 14,378
- Wellington
OZ Chronos! I have a set that I got off a V8 Virage.
- 28,765
- a baby, candy, it's like taking.
- TexRex72
Very handsome and ungodly rare. The cast aluminum pieces were optional on 1982-4 Ford fullsize trucks (yay, Bullnose) and vans, and people just didn't check the box for them when there were a couple of styled steel wheel options and a couple hubcap choices for standard steel wheels.
Most of those I've seen were on trucks, but I've spotted a couple Broncos with them and even an E-series conversion van.
- 28,765
- a baby, candy, it's like taking.
- TexRex72
I know, I know. Look, I can't help myself--I ****ing love these things. They're easily the coolest aftermarket "muscle car" wheel.
15" on the left and the slightly less rare (by virtue of pony car owners buying them) 14" on the right. Cast aluminum centers welded into steel hoops.
15" on the left and the slightly less rare (by virtue of pony car owners buying them) 14" on the right. Cast aluminum centers welded into steel hoops.
- 921
- United States
- Blood_Raven_70
When I was in high school (late 80s), there were quite a few guys that had old, American muscle cars (early 70s Novas, Chevelles, Camaros, 60s Mustangs, a couple older trucks, etc.) And every one of them had these wheels. And I will forever love them for old American muscle cars and trucks. They have that quintessential look that just makes the car that much better, imo. And that's why they are one of my favorite wheels.
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- 2,833
- Colorado
- GTP_Cyborg
Take a scroll through this guy's page, pretty cool stuff imo: https://www.instagram.com/chamorroboy86/
- 2,833
- Colorado
- GTP_Cyborg
And I just discovered Augment Wheels out of Canada, thanks to Speed Academy on YouTube. They'll custom-make any wheel for you, in forged aluminum or magnesium, two-piece or monoblock. Seems every customer request is to enlarge an OEM wheel design, but I'm all about that. Examples of their work:
- 758
- Alabama
- Horobi-Scorpion
I adore the original Koenigsegg CC8S wheels.
Favorite wheels of all time:
The OG Rays Volk racing wheels. They are just so good, that mesh design, multipiece look, to this day i get weak kneed at any gold/black inner with a chrome outer rim look. This includes the BBS Super RS or E88 whatever they are calling them.
Second favorite:
RS Watanabe, love these wheels.
Ohh and last wheel are these possibly no name wheels on the Toyota Celica IMSA car. I've been obsessed with these because they are so simple, but are perfect for this car. Probably the catalyst for my black wheel on white car obsession.
The OG Rays Volk racing wheels. They are just so good, that mesh design, multipiece look, to this day i get weak kneed at any gold/black inner with a chrome outer rim look. This includes the BBS Super RS or E88 whatever they are calling them.
Second favorite:
RS Watanabe, love these wheels.
Ohh and last wheel are these possibly no name wheels on the Toyota Celica IMSA car. I've been obsessed with these because they are so simple, but are perfect for this car. Probably the catalyst for my black wheel on white car obsession.
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