Fuchs Replicas

[Lightweight_911]

The original thread about the Scottish Highlands Tour is here:

http://www.ddk-online.com/phpBB2/viewto ... =8&t=45900

[Knoxy]

The original thread about the Scottish Highlands Tour is here:

http://www.ddk-online.com/phpBB2/viewto ... =8&t=45900

Thanks Andy

Unfortunately the dates clash with the annual Harley Rally in Aviemore, Thunder in the Glens. We have been doing this rally for 13 years so not one we miss.

[100702mark]

I went through this whole thought process last year as my car came with some replica 6 x 15 fuchs but I always felt looked a a bit bling and the petals were too sharp edged. As my car is also a 67 I wanted to keep the narrower more nimble original look. Finally cost was also a major issue and a set of original 4 1/2 x 15 was out of the question as were original 6 x 15.
After much trawling of websites and researching I decided to go down the 14 inch original fuchs route because the engineering and finishing on the originals was simply stunning when compared with the cast lumps I was looking at as alternatives. I shod them with 185 R15 vrredestein sprint classics so a nice high, correct profile tyre and I think it gives the right look for the swb because they are 45 year old wheels they also have a nice patina and don't look over restored. As I understand it this wheel and tyre combo was available as the comfort option on 911s around 1970 ish.
Anyway once on the new wheel and tyre combo transformed the feel and handling of the car. It felt much more nimble and less crashy over poithole than before and the high profile tyres suit better the unclassified and minor b roads I encounter on navgational rallies in Lancashire and yorkshire.
So in summary I decided I'd rather have the correct wheels in the wrong size rather than incorrect wheels in the right size because of the technical superiority of the real thing.

Mark

[Knoxy]

Thanks Mark

Good point well made. I'd certainly consider original wheels, if I could get them............but any 4.5s I've seen are frankly bonkers money (due to the rarity I guess) and such an investment would curtail my parallel interests too much.
I do however agree, I was astonished at the look and feel (i.e. weight or lack thereof) of the real thing, when helping Mike (210bhp) work on one of his cars.

My car is currently on 5.5" replicas running 165 x 15 Michelins and still has that “big fender” look. The change to 165s transformed the car from the leaden feel that it had with the previous 195 x 65 x 15 tyres and now reminds me of the sort of nimble progressive handling I used to get with my old Mk1 RS and Mexico Escorts I had when I were a lad.

I guess a genuine set of 5.5s may be a bit more attainable cost wise? The trouble is that typically, that would be a remote purchase with all the risk associated with buying 45 year old wheels uninspected.

I have not ordered the 4.5 reps yet so will continue to ponder.

[100702mark]

Yes I agree on your pricing point. It was moving to 14inch fuchs that made it afforadable for me. I posted a wanted add on here this time last year and got 2 or 3 people coming back to me with options there seems to be a decent supply of reasonably priced 14 inch wheels around. I ended up paying about £500 for 5 matching date stamped wheels that had good anodising but needed the black paint refreshing.

There is a picture here someone took on this years Monte heritage run to Dumfries which hopefully gives you a feel for the proportions. Its not to everyones taste I sure as many like a "fuller" wheel arch.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53934695@N06/12135879155

[Nick Moss]

Send them to me and I will get them anodised for £40 per rim, assuming they are already perfectly polished. It's true that cast rims usually anodise to a slightly greyer finish due to the extra silicon content. I had had lots of cast rims done in the past.

[Knoxy]

Yes I agree on your pricing point. It was moving to 14inch fuchs that made it afforadable for me. I posted a wanted add on here this time last year and got 2 or 3 people coming back to me with options there seems to be a decent supply of reasonably priced 14 inch wheels around. I ended up paying about £500 for 5 matching date stamped wheels that had good anodising but needed the black paint refreshing.

There is a picture here someone took on this years Monte heritage run to Dumfries which hopefully gives you a feel for the proportions. Its not to everyones taste I sure as many like a "fuller" wheel arch.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53934695@N06/12135879155

The 14s are an interesting thought, especially with the 185 tyres.

[Knoxy]

Send them to me and I will get them anodised for £40 per rim, assuming they are already perfectly polished. It's true that cast rims usually anodise to a slightly greyer finish due to the extra silicon content. I had had lots of cast rims done in the past.

Thanks Nick

I'll bear that offer in mind when I reach a decision on what route to take. The local Anodiser was keen to help, probably because he is touting for work from my firm. They recon £100 for 5 rims so a great deal but with the expected disclaimers. They do most of the Anodising for Linn HiFi, so their work is pretty high end.

Im also going to hold Mike to his offer to get a look at the originals he has to get a better idea of the correct finish.

Thanks again.