Replica Fuchs - Page 2

Jack Olsen · 03-07-2005, 06:26 PM

Uh, just so we don't get too crazy on the Fuchs bandwagon. Real Fuchs crack, too. It's getting more and more common as the wheels age and metal fatigue takes its toll. There have been threads about it on Pelican.

As time passes and failures get more common, the value on authentic Fuchs is going to plunge for anyone outside of the roll-it-onto-the-grass concours crowd.

They're great wheels. But just like any other stressed piece made of aluminum (as opposed to steel), they have a finite lifespan, based on the cumulative amount of stress they've been subjected to. We might all be begging for good (new, and hopefully forged) replica Fuchs in another twenty years.

randywebb · 03-07-2005, 08:02 PM

I'm already begging for forged magnesium...

ubiquity0 · 03-07-2005, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JackOlsen
We might all be begging for good (new, and hopefully forged) replica Fuchs in another twenty years.

....except they still make real ones today (at least in the 16" sizes).

6771911esses · 03-08-2005, 02:50 AM

The aftermarket wheels and OE fuchs can and probably should be tested for cracks before using them for competition. It is also good insurance for street use. Machine shops use a dye with a black light to test non-ferrous (alum) heads. I reckon this is what would work for the wheels.
This will only show existing cracks though!

MN

randywebb · 03-08-2005, 11:45 AM

that process is often called Magnaflux...

RarlyL8 · RarlyL8's Garage

There is another issue here that has not been addressed, all replica Fuchs are not created equally. The ones that I have used through the years were all Itialian made. I learned early on from a P-mechanic friend that they were well made as far as reproductions go.
The "real" problem that I ran into, and the reason for using replicas, was that authentic Fuchs in the sizes I need cost upwards of $1000 per wheel! That's nuts! If these wheels were so easily made into various widths then why the premium for 9s and 11s? I had 3-piece Fuch centered wheels made for less than $500 each. I don't anticipate that they'll self-destruct anytime soon while driving down the road. The horror stories of these wheels seem a bit exaggerated.

donstevens · donstevens's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by RarlyL8
There is another issue here that has not been addressed, all replica Fuchs are not created equally. The ones that I have used through the years were all Itialian made. I learned early on from a P-mechanic friend that they were well made as far as reproductions go.
The "real" problem that I ran into, and the reason for using replicas, was that authentic Fuchs in the sizes I need cost upwards of $1000 per wheel! That's nuts! If these wheels were so easily made into various widths then why the premium for 9s and 11s? I had 3-piece Fuch centered wheels made for less than $500 each. I don't anticipate that they'll self-destruct anytime soon while driving down the road. The horror stories of these wheels seem a bit exaggerated.

I have had American Racing Replica (15"x7") on an early car for road use. They were OK, looked good on my early car, but heavy. I used true Fuchs for track use. Ironically, when I sold the car I sold the wheels thru my mechanic and that customer has been vintage racing on the replicas for more than 10 years!

As for 9s and 11s, they really did not build as many of those relative to 6,7, & 8s. Hence, the higher value. Plus they are sought after by racers and collectors (who typically have a lot of money relative to us peeons) and therefore they sell for big $$$.

You can make custom width Fuchs with an abundant 16"x6", custom machined, and mated to BBS wheel halves. The problem is by the time one does all of that they still aren't cheap and they will have bolts around the outer rim.

Don