"Watanabe" Wheels

[yellazed]

One for all the 'Wheel Men' out there.

My 260 has a set of 16 x 8 "Watanabe R-8" 2-piece wheels, but I have a near identical set (different offset) on which there is a 'Speed Star Wheel' label.  Both sets carry the same logo, like that in attached pic. I think they are Watanabe rip-offs, but I have surfed the net and found a lot of these same wheels being passed off as genuine Wats.

Does anyone have pics of the real McCoy, i.e. 2-piece Watanabes?

I want to find a pair of matching wider wheels or even bare rim sections I can fit my centres into, say 10" with around -15 to -20 offset.  Does anyone know of any, or whether any other rims (e.g. ROH) would be compatible, i.e. same outer pcd and number of bolts holding them together?

[zedevan]

they are basically one and the same thing, its a pity there are so many of the 2 piece wheels around with such a high offset. at one stage i really wanted to get a pair of 17" ones and get the shells made up to suit like a guy in america did (you can't get them with a negative offset new), but i couldn't find anyone local who would make up the shells without seeing them first, so i gave up lol

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12945
has some info, and links to another thread with more info again

[PZG302]

See what Simmons can do, I have just got a set of OM18x8 made, a three piece to my exact specs, 100mm backspace and -19mm offset. I know they don't do two piece wheels but have a fair range of centres to choose from and will be bale to basically make what ever you want in terms of widths and offsets.

[yellazed]

Thanks, Zedevan, the link throws a bit of light on the subject.

PZG302:  Very encouraging.  I might give Simmons a go.  My plan was to swap the current rear 8" with a bit of dish to the front and widen the existing fronts to become rears. I'm just trying to be a bit stingy as there's still a lot I need to spend on other bits.  If I could find some bare rims with neg offset and a 350mm pcd to take my centres it could work.

I contacted Watanabe about new wheels and received a reply from their rep in W.A.:
16 x 9.5, -19 and 16 x 8.5 -6 offsets for $2400 plus freight. A bit pricey, but might have to go that way in the end.

But of course, Sulio has gone and spoiled it for me. Just when I thought I knew what I wanted my Z to look like he goes and posts that deliciously aggressive Swedish number. 


 

[nat0_240_chevZ]

on simmons website they have the details for a guy that repairs simmons wheels, he has instack lots of inner and outer rims for mix and match with simmons wheels.
he can make whatever you want but.
i was quoted about 110 a shell outer only ea to give less dish on the rear as they are a lil big for std guards.
all he needs is id, pcd od/rim dia and typeand he can make the inners and outer separate, ie make th 2 piece to a 3 piece.

nato

[yellazed]

Thanks nat0,

I had a look at the Simmons site but didn't pick up on the repairs guy. Great lead, I'll get in touch with him and post the outcome, 'cos it might be of interest to others if it works.

The only snag might be the number and spacing of bolts holding them together - 16 for mine and it looks like 30 for the Simmons. But hey, nothing ventured .......

[nat0_240_chevZ]

he makes the from flat sheet.
and drills to suit!!!!