Wheels and tires back, gratuitous pics...

speeder · speeder's Garage

Got my wheels back from Al Reed last week w/ new AVS ES100s all around, I now have 7/8s. I had these 8s around for awhile, one had some curb rash, he did an amazing job fixing it. I can't tell which wheel it was now, and the other one was perfect to start with!!

Like most everyone else, I'm real happy with the work, but I almost hesitate to mention Al on Pelican anymore since he now has more work than he can handle from this board! Poor guy, (with his wife Dianne), is swamped. Oh well, better than too slow I guess.

I went for factory anodised look, I like black centers on black trim cars. I realise that I am in the minority with this, and I love the polished paddles also on the right car, but Al agreed that I picked right for my car color. Time to take new pics anyways, what do you guys think?

speeder · speeder's Garage

Couple more, this one doesn't show wheels but does show the "ash storm" that we are experiencing with massive brush fires burning:

And a gratuitous, "just because" shot:

ubiquity0 · 10-25-2003, 07:39 PM

Very nice Denis. How does the cost of anodising compare to getting them polished? Theres so much chrome in LA its refreshing to see fuchs the way the factory intended.

island911 · 10-25-2003, 07:46 PM

Looks great, Denis.
I share your opinion that the factory finish was the right choice. . .it really works the best with the metallics. (. . .and the polished seems to work best with the solid colors)

speeder · speeder's Garage

Thanks. I think that he charges $120.00 per wheel to restore/re-anodise like this. The rear 8s were fully polished when I gave them to him, he re-polished the lips, had them anodised and painted them.

They do a lot of different variations, painting centers different colors for "RS look" cars, mirror polished lips, etc...

I have always thought that the matte-look+ dull shine of the factory anodising is one of the most beautiful things that I've ever seen, but to each their own of course.

georgie · 10-25-2003, 08:38 PM

Denis,

Do you have wheel spacers on the car? It looks like the car has a nice wide stance. If so, what do you have and where did you purchase?

Thanks.

Bob's Flat-Six · Bob's Flat-Six's Garage

Hi Denis,
Looks great! You can't go wrong with the factory look.
Looking forward to seeing it at one of the runs.

Speaking of the fires, You can see the flames from my house in Simi. I live at the east end and came across the 23 to the 118 this afternoon and there was just smoke, But when I went out around 6pm I could see the flames on the ridges in the west end of Simi.

I didn't hear any fire trucks either and were right near a station.

Vipergrün · 10-25-2003, 08:43 PM

Denis, what are your thoughts on the Yoko's so far? Are you gonne DE them?

-B

ubiquity0 · 10-25-2003, 08:53 PM

Georgie- I think thats how 8x16" fuchs fill out the rear w/out spacers.
Anyone know- do 8x16" Fuchs give the same track as 7x16" w/ 1" spacers?

georgie · 10-25-2003, 09:10 PM

I have 16" 7s and 8s on my 87 Carrera, and they don't fill out the fender like in these photos......

Zeke · 10-25-2003, 09:21 PM

I have to agree with Dennis on the fact a that Reed is indeed very busy. I took my wheels in on 9/29 and I haven't recieved a call to pick them up yet. Now, I will tell you that the Sat of that week (9/29), Al and Diane's son was getting married and they were not even going to work a full week. And I can tell you that I said, "Take all the time you need, Al, I won't be needing the wheels immediately." That might have been a mistake, but it's the truth. Very nice people, BTW. And they have been doing this since 1978 and have done many famous people's wheels. There are pictures on the walls in the office of all kinds of people from athletes to movie stars to race drivers. Interesting place, to be sure.

speeder · speeder's Garage

Georgie, Definitely no spacers on the rear, and just the factory SC hubs/spacer things on the front. If yours do not look the same, perhaps you are running more neg. camber? 1 deg. can make a big difference in clearance, my car is still at factory settings F/R. The fronts stick out more than the rears, which are just about perfect, IMO. Might get some 16x9s in the future.

And Brad, so far the new tires seem good, plenty of grip and they really aren't broken in/heat cycled yet. And yes, I will DE on them, at least until I can get a second set of wheels/tires.