Seriously, what is the deal with Fuchs wheels?

[woywitka]

Yes I searched! More confused. Means Fox.

It appears every single classic 911 around has these wheels.

I have these wheels in 16inch on my '78 SC. people tell me they are desirable, why?

Can someone produce a time-line of Fuchs wheels, desirable and undesirable ones?

And second, I have a hanging wheel cap, how do I fix this. Do I just pry it off and put it on, is something broken? Are the caps rare and expensive?

Thanks for the help!

[vulcan300]

They are light. Pull one off and pick it up and you'll see what I mean. More importantly they just look good on a 911.

The wheel caps just pop off. If you have the toolkit that came with your car it may have a small two pronged wire tool that is used to pull the caps off. New ones can be had through the for sale section if yours are beat up.

[James Brown]

First, we don't take kindly to fuchs bashen' around these parts. Second, give those wheels to me if you don't like them. Third, your looking at $1500.00 for the wheels on your car right now. Caps are around $50.00 each. Fourth, where do you park it at night?

[Geronimo '74]

Originally Posted by woywitka

Yes I searched! More confused. Means Fox.

Would you be less confused if it meant Orange Juice????

[tcar]

Fuchs have been optional on 911's from the 60's thru late '80's. Didn't become standard on the 911 until 87 and then only for 3 years.

944's also had Fuchs optional thru 86.

They are light because they are forged. Forged wheels are strong and light (reduced unsprung weight for better handling). Virtually all other alloy wheels are cast. They are very strong, but, when damaged, they tend to crack instead of bending.

True Fuchs go the gamut from 14" to 16" in widths from 4.5" to 9". (Were there 10"? 11"?)

Some sizes are rare, and more expensive. The smaller ones are wanted by people restoring early cars.

6" by 15" come in 'flat' and 'deep' and 'deep with a heart' the deep and hearts are rare and more expensive. The deeps are 'better looking' IMO.

Up thru 77, the cars didn't have flares (except for a few rare cars) so 6's and 7's are about the biggest you can use.

SC's have flared fenders and came from the factory with optional 6" front and 7" rear by 15" or 16" Fuchs. The SC was the most popular 911 built (most cars built and sold) so these sizes are very common, and not as expensive.

You can also put 944 Turbo (951) 8" wheels on the front of the SC and later (different offset than the 911 wheels).

You can also put 7x16 front and 8" or 9" by 16's rear on an SC and later Carrera, up to 89, without modifications. The 8" and 9" are quite a bit more expensive.

Real Fuchs have Porsche part numbers and the Fuchs (FOX) emblem on the backside.

I've heard that Fuchs are being produced again in a few sizes.

Porsche stopped using the Fuchs with the 964 version of the 911.

They stopped using them on the 944 with the 87.

That help?

[c0metdot]

Nothing has or will work better or secondarily, look better. As with most, they got it right.

[Geronimo '74]

tcar, good summary!

Fuchs are being sold new by Porsche (again or still??), you've heard right.
I believe almost all sizes are available, dunno bout the very wide ones (11inch...)
Very expensive though.

[Flieger]

I will be the second in line after James Brown to take the undesireable Fuchs off your hands. I will even give you $100 per wheel for them.

[Craig_D]

Great summary tcar!

[Craig_D]

[detroiter]

Hey woywitka,

You'll be more impressed if you see how those Fuchs were made i.e., the forging process. Much more complicated compared to casting.

http://www.fuchsfelge.de/index.php?id=4&L=1

Perhaps someone can post a video?

Randy

[woywitka]

Sorry guys!

I hit a soft spot. I like the Fuchs wheels, don't get me wrong. I just didn't know what the deal was with them. Now I know, they sound desirable.

Should I be concerned where I park at night or something? People don't go around stealing wheels where I live. There are far more expensive cars in my neighborhood than my 32 year old Porsche. Do you guys run wheel locks or something? What do you suggest?

In Vancouver B.C. there are a ton of brand new expensive cars and lots of very rare collectible cars. Finding a classic Porsche, Citroen, or Italian exotic is commonplace. This kinda makes driving a Porsche 911 look like an old Corolla. I bought the car because I like the way it drives, not the status it gives in some parts of the world. That said, I desire to keep it up well and drive it with a great deal of respect.

I really like my Porsche, LOTS, but I don't know about each and every part... yet.

Every classic Porsche 911 around here runs Fuchs wheels, so I just thought they were standard fitment. You guys talk about them with high regard and I didn't understand why.

Mine are in really good condition. They have no curb rash. I think I will ScotchBrite the black portion and give it a shot of the Rustoleum like it is suggested on here. I will post some pics up after I give them some love. Then I can join the ranks of the Elite Fuchs wheels owners club.

What other wheels would be fitted as standard if one didn't order Fuchs back in the day? What was the option cost for the upgrade back then?

Thanks for the info!

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by c0metdot

Nothing has or will work better or secondarily, look better. As with most, they got it right.

they got it so right, it spawned a bunch of companies making Fake Fuchs, like in that picture.

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by woywitka

What other wheels would be fitted as standard is one didn't order Fuchs?

Depends on the year. Stamped/welded steel wheels, Mahle cast magnesium wheels (also optional, not standard), Fuchs (depending on year and size they were 'standard' on 911 cars) in various sizes, Cookie cutters, etc.

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by McLovin

they got it so right, it spawned a bunch of companies making Fake Fuchs, like in that picture.

And now Porsche is making a wheel very similar look wheel as an option on new cars, although I doubt it is forged construction.

Fuchs were also available in different types of finish/look depending on the year and size range.

[dienstuhr]

Good summary tcar.

>Porsche stopped using the Fuchs with the 964 version of the 911.

Just for clarity, the "classic" factory Fuchs wheels first appeared on the 1966 911S and last appeared on the 1989 911 Carrera 3.2. New-look Fuchs wheels have just become available again in 2010 for the 911 Sport Classic.

Cheers

d.

[warner53]

I just bought a set of 7X16 and 8X16 fuchs that are pretty rough. Where should I go for information on do it yourself wheel restoration?

Can I bead or sand blast them (they are that rough)?

They are for my 86 targa that have later wheels on it. I want to have stock fuchs and hope to just polish them without the usual black paint.

W

[dienstuhr]

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

Depends on the year. Stamped/welded steel wheels, Mahle cast magnesium wheels (also optional, not standard), Fuchs (depending on year and size they were 'standard' on 911 cars) in various sizes, Cookie cutters, etc.

And don't forget the "phone dials" on Carrera 3.2s... yikes

d.

[woywitka]

Originally Posted by dienstuhr

And don't forget the "phone dials" on Carrera 3.2s... yikes

d.

Plus, who you gonna call?

[RWebb]

if the car is garaged at night I wouldn't worry about theft

you could buy some locking lug nuts to discourage thieves - factory ones work well

they they were standard fitment - for Porsche, standard fitment has always meant the pushing the technology (with their partners) to produce the highest performance at their price point - the co. has won numerous awards from the Mg council, and other industry groups

Porsche has always been at the forefront of race and sports car design - the Fuchs is just one example

* BTW - none of the above seems to apply to the electrical systems - they suck