If you look to old Rally-looks you might find inspiration


Enkei RC-T5
OZ Superturismo
OZ Leggenda

Desmond Regamaster
Fifteen52 Integrale
Fifteen52 Tarmac/Turbomac

Enkei Compe would be a cheap Watanabe-style wheel, but they only came in 16x8, +25 and are discontinued, so you'd have to search for a used set:
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4479/...96ac0179_h.jpg


My other set of retro wheels are Rota Slipstream, 16x8, +45:
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1901/...ad0d814e_h.jpg

Center lug wheels are always cool, whether they’re classic knock-offs or the modern system on the GT3 cup cars.


See, I enjoy my car and have modded every car I’ve owned, but as fun as they are, things like being able to pay my student loans off quickly, and retire in a way unlike the dog in Old Yeller are important to me too. More importantly, it leaves more room in the budget for other mods!

What I’m trying to say is: those wheels are awesome, and I’m sure are worth it in a sense of craftsmanship and quality, but they aren’t worth it to me in relation to what else I could do with the money. They’re nicebut they’re outside my self imposed budget for what I want to spend on wheels. All I’m trying to do is say “awesome, but not quite what I’m looking for” without being a ****

That was a nice reply to ol grouchy @soundman98 's lecture post - :thumbsup:


humfrz

Humfrz's response may have been tongue-in-cheek but to me, if you REALLY want to go "retro", get smaller, 16" or 15" wheels. I have 16x7 RPF1s on my FRS (see 16" wheel thread for pics, if you're interested) because I like the "poofy" look of taller sidewalls. I grew up in the 70s, which i guess makes ME retro, so that is the look I am accustomed to. As a general rule, I like to keep the tire profile no lower than a 50 series which was "gee-whiz super low profile" back in "my day".

A side benefit is from the back, my 225/50-16 look much wider due to the sidewalls. Plus the ride is, surprisingly, MUCH softer than the 215/45-17s. People say you lose a lot of "steering response" but I haven't noticed it on the street and I dont go on the track so that's not an issue for me.

I run the same size on the street with a Indy 500 tire

I've always been partial to mini lites. I've seen them on these cars in 16" and they look very classic. Those Watanabes also look great but are pricey and tough to find.

IDK if you could find a set, but Epsilon Southern ways are, IMO, the quintessential old school wheels. They are 3 piece

https://i.imgflip.com/2vi9bm.jpgvia Imgflip Meme Generator

Whoops, you wanted wheel suggestions... Uhh, run a 245/50 tire for an old school look on whatever wheels you get

Epsilons are nice but because they're so rare and they have such an iconic status for old school J-tin, they're expensive. Ironically, their direct competitors at the time, BBS RS, are actually better wheels (forged centers vs. cast) now cost less for used ones. I've been waiting for a set (of BBS) to pop up on ebay. But there were very few made in 5x100 and all the VW people snap them up and/or trade amongst themselves so they are hard to find...

Why stop there Humfrz? How about these rockin' babies?

Hate to see those gummint-mandated raised headlights on E-Types. I had a 62 coupe and a 64 coupe, both with the sleek, enclosed headlights. And yes, knockoff wire wheels. I'd like to have both of them back.


BTW...I can't imagine why Jaguar ruined one of the most gorgeous coupes ever built with that hideous E-Type 2+2.

Those Rota Retro2s are quite the piece of cake.

I'm in the same mind, looking for something that has a bit of older look to it. Was thinking Zender Turbo Fans, but they top out at 16s.

I want Hypergrams in Red Opal on my car so bad but I'm already almost 2 grand in debt and I'll be adding another grand after some maintenance items and new summer tires are taken care of. I'm already trying to sell my BBK and my track wheels just to knock down some of my debt.