Fuch wheel question

88 911 targa · 08-23-2001, 10:36 AM

I have a 1988 targa, which ahs chrome 16" Fuchs on it now. These wheels were on the car when I bought it from the PO. I have a chance to buy a set of white 16" Fuchs for the car, but I am wondering if the Chrome Fuch's came on trhe car from the factory or were added or put on by PO. Everything else on the car is spotlessly original and my goal it to keep it, or return it to that state. The car shows the option code for alloy wheels.

Thanks for any help. I know someone on this board knows a lot more about the way these cars came originally.

[This message has been edited by 88 911 targa (edited 08-23-2001).]

88 911 targa · 08-23-2001, 10:42 AM

Here is a pic of my car, sorry I don't know how to put it in the original message.

carrerajim · 08-23-2001, 10:45 AM

Fuch wheels were never offered as chrome. only anodized aluminum. Chrome doesn't hold up well when done over aluminum. The sticker option was probably for 16's wheels rather than 15's
I'm pretty sure of this.... but if I'm wrong, someone will correct me.

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85 Carrera Targa

Will · 08-23-2001, 10:48 AM

My '87 Grand Prix White Carrera came with white Fuchs. I don't know what size they were, because by the time I got the car, the Fuchs had been replaced with aftermarket wheels.

jsmarcus · 08-23-2001, 10:51 AM

The white was an option from the factory. If you are trying to go to factory spec, check the sticker under the hood by the latch, it will list the original options for your car.

Enter them here:http://www.kindel.com/Porsche/options.asp

And you will know what the original options were. White keyed wheels were an option and would look really sharp on your car. To each his own, but I don't like full chrome wheels on any car, let alone p-Cars. Makes them look hoopty.

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Josh
Black on Black '84 Carrera

finadict · 08-23-2001, 01:13 PM

hoopty?

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pat
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86 930
76 914 5.0

Pillow · 08-23-2001, 01:18 PM

He said... "Hoopty"

Hahahahaha

Jack Olsen · 08-23-2001, 01:43 PM

Are you sure they're chrome? Recently-polished Fuchs can look very much like chrome. If they're actually chrome plated, you'll probably be able to find spome points where the chrome is chipped or flaking off. If not, they're probably just recently-polished.

There is some evidence that aftermarket chroming is not good for the alloy used to make Fuchs -- that it weakens the wheel.

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Jack Olsen
My Rennlist page • My Pelican Gallery page • My Porsche Owners Gallery page

Kurt B · 08-23-2001, 01:47 PM

I know this is a problem because Al's been working on my wheels for 2 weeks come saturday, and one rear is still being worked over. He tried to convince me to just have them stripped and polished, but I didn't listen. They had been chromed before..
Oh well...had my eye set on the chroming. I'm sure it'll look beautiful.
And yes, if it's chrome, when it comes off, there's pitting beneath it. It flakes off like paint does. If you don't see that, they're probably not chromes (rear wheels suffer most from heat I imagine).

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Kurt B
1984 Carrera Cabriolet
911 Page
carrera_cabriolet@yahoo.com

[This message has been edited by Kurt B (edited 08-23-2001).]

ZwickSAN · 12-09-2001, 05:38 PM

Fuchs have been a matter of second guessing the factory for many owners it seems. I lived in Stuttgart for three years and it even the Porsche family experimented with different wheels on their POVs. I have had four P-cars over the years and have had chrome or polished paddles on the first three, but my '88 white Targa has the black Fuchs and roll bar. I would prefer the rims chromed, but would love to see what white paddles look like. Any one with a picture of white ones out there?

Mick
AFC

89911 · 12-09-2001, 05:58 PM

Fuchs can be polished to look like chrome. Here is one variation with polished outer rims and center caps. I repainted the center the original semiflat black. My old black lugnuts are pretty chewed up so I use the silver ones off of my Fikse wheels. The combinations are endless.

ZwickSAN · 12-09-2001, 06:10 PM

89811:

Thanks for the pic, they look good.
What was the cost and something tells me they're a bear to maintain?

Mick
AFC

89911 · 06:28 PM

The cost is cramped hands and constant mutterings of what a pain in the ass job it is! I have refinished entire rims and if the difficulty of that is a 10, I would rate just the outer rims a 4. It is much, much, easier just doing the outer rim and then painting. I think they charge $50-75 a rim for someone else to do it. As far as upkeep, the rims I posted prior were, until recently, my track wheels! They are very easy to take care of. Just don't spray any corrosives on them like bare metal aluminum cleaner and they will be fine.

ZwickSAN · 12-09-2001, 06:45 PM

Thanks, I just may try it!

MIK911 · 12-09-2001, 09:27 PM

Another pic of polished, not chromed wheel, recently finished by Al Reed.

ZwickSAN · 01-05-2002, 06:36 AM

Thanks for all the responses and pictures of polished Fuchs.
Does anyone have a picture of a polished (or chrome) Fuch with WHITE paddles?

mr.flat6 · 01-05-2002, 09:40 AM

just curious....what is special about fuchs beside the fact that they look great? Everyone talks about them, etc.

marcesq · marcesq's Garage

Quote:

just curious....what is special about fuchs beside the fact that they look great? Everyone talks about them, etc.

Strength to weight ratio. Each wheel is about 17lbs and almost impossible to break (bend yes but not break)

Rod Walter · 01-05-2002, 10:37 AM

I have 16" Fuchs with painted centers and chromed rims. The car was delivered from the dealer that way. The original sticker lists the wheels as a dealer added option: "16" Chromed Forged Alloy Wheels w/Pirelli P-7" and the price at the time was an additional $948.00.

targa88 · 01-05-2002, 01:01 PM

Fuchs are the sturdiest, light weight wheel available. Either you love them or hate them - but they are hard to beat.