Value of heart fuchs
 

Folks I'm wondering if you'd be able to provide some input as to valuation of a set of four 5.5x15 (edit for size) 1969 heart fuchs.

I searched the classifieds and observe ads with little response, and if the wheels do sell there's no way to tell what the transaction amount is.

I'm selling a car and the wheels are not original so I feel I may be ahead to simply remove them.

Generally the wheels are aged but remain in mostly damage free condition, some staining to the annodizing, black is faded, and one wheel has a few small marks but the other three are essentially free of damage.

Though these seem like valuable wheels based on ads, they certainly are not uncommon.

Any insight, possibly first hand?







.

Yes, I've sold a set of 4 6" hearts for $3000 in similar condition. I would put 5.5" x 15 Fuchs at $3600 as described.

I think 5.5x15 are for 1968 only

The car is in fact a 68 but it was sold in mid 68 where the wheels are dated mid and late 69. Would be sweet to think they are original to the car but the dates simply don't jive. Dave P. provided kardex and there is no mention of upgraded wheels.

They might be bought at the dealer.

I'd leave them on the car. They are only worth a few grand.

That is actually backwards. 6" wheels are worth more and have a broader demand. I sold a set of 6" that was freshly refinished by Al Reed for 3800. 5.5"s are generally worth about a thousand less than 6"s in the same condition. Finding somebody who wants them is not an easy task either.

'Times are a changing'
That is the way it was. It used to be that every body had to have deep six's, now with 'stock is king' there is a scramble for the original size wheels.
I was at the LA swap meet a few weeks a go with a nice deep six with hearts, and some other wheels. There must of have been 5 people who asked if I had any 5.5's and not one taker for the deep six.

Yep. It started a few years back. I sold a set of 5.5's to Europe for $4500 for a set of 5. Over there they want them for FIA 2.0l class racing. They aren't allowed to run 6s.

Must be changing I guess. As recently as a year ago, sets of 5.5's would languish on these sites with no buyers probably because they were a 68 fitment only. 6's by comparison were used much longer. Whatever the market will bear I guess.

I agree, though I'd time it back more than a year. The desire for 'date matching' Fuchs is strongest on the top cars, and the top cars are bringing ever higher dollars.

I also think the flip flopping of perceived value on wheels has been going on for way more than a year.
I remember very clearly it was quite a while ago when 4.5 were almost worthless and only the VW guys seem to want them, I think we can all agree 4.5's are worth a lot more than 6's now. This has been a steady march up for 4.5's
As you pointed out 5.5 are also one year only, the "one year only" argument has little effect in arguing for reduced price on wheels needed for desirable cars.
As for what the market will bear, I do not think any thing has changed in that department, people pretty much try to sell for as much as they can get and buy for as little as they can. Charity/gifting is not on most peoples mind when it comes to selling wheels, now are ten, twenty years ago.

Thanks each of you guys for your feedback, all very interesting! It seems there is a consensus that this size was specific to 1968 and as Por1968 says perhaps these wheels were installed by the dealer. At this point I'm siding with Matt that the wheels stay on the car which was my original intention unless I come to blows with a buyer for the car and the wheels have to be negotiated out of the deal.

I could use one or two deep 6's preferably with dates of Nov or Dec of 1968 but would consider something earlier if anyone has any.

I bought the most recent set of 15x5.5 wheels (I think they all have hearts) listed for $3100. It was a set of 5, with one of them bent which I use as a spare. Driver condition wheels, similar to your description. I put them right on my 68 912 :)

It was a good deal, but I'm surprised it didn't get snapped up right away. I think an asking price around $3500 is reasonable for these 1 year only wheels. Deep 6s look better but I wanted the correct wheesl for my 912.