Looking for Retro Wheel Suggestions
 

I’ve been lurking here for a while, but now that I’ve come across something that can’t be answered with “read the sticky, noob” I figured i’d Make a post...

I’m the proud new owner of a BRZ Limited 2013 in pearl white.

And spring (even though it doesn’t feel like it), means it’s time to sort out summer wheels and tires.

My visual goal for the car is to keep it pretty subtle, but with a classic sportscar/racecar twist. For the interior I’m staying away from carbon fiber and Bright colors, going with perforated leather and alcantara to cover up the silver plastic accents. On the outside, I’m thinking a ducktail spoiler and a few other small touches. One idea I’m kicking around is louvered plexiglass quarter windows, or maybe some mild hand pressed louvers on the hood.

But I’m stuck as to wheels. If I can’t come up with anything I’ll go with black RPF 1s and bronze steel lugs (and ARP studs, because screw stripped studs), but I’m looking for something a little more unique and classic, and I didn’t find anything in the wheel directory or any of the meta threads.

Preferred fitment would be 17x9 with 245/40/17


So far I’ve found the Rota Retro 2s but they basically don’t exist, and custom rotiforms would be way too much money for a 10k car. Momo Heritege 6s caught my eye too, with that vintage Porsche feel, but again, 2k in wheels on a 10k car.

My inspiration is things like classic aircooled Porsches, 80’s GT cars, and similar stuff.

Examples:

Rota Retro 2’s on Templar’s BRZ (of course. This thing is gorgeous): http://www.rotawheels.com/wp-content..._(4)%20(1).jpg

The Speedhunters FR-S: http://tripulvila.com/blog/wp-conten...ntersFRS_1.jpg

And Magnus Walker’s Urban Outlaw 277: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/08...g?v=1547346981

Any ideas?

Some suggestions
Sparco Terra
OZ Rally Racing
Motegi MR137
TR FF10
Method MR502


I also recommend Konig Hypergram which has a very nice modern/retro racing look plus good quality, light weight, strength and good price.

When you say retro first thing I think of is mesh bbs. But those are way over budget. I think of enkei ekm3 ($160/wheel)to be knockoffs of bbs lm, which to me is another iconic, (maybe not retro) wheel for the bmw e46 m3, as well at many porsches. Seems like you are leaning towards a five or six spoke though.

If youre willing to go down a size, check out Enkei Compe.

The hypergrams have some potential. That’s going on the shortlist, not sure which would win out between them and the RPF1s but they do look good, especially that bronze.

I really like the MR137, they have that star shape without looking flashy like most of the other cheap ones, definitely looks like a cheap heritage 6. but it looks like you either have to run adaptors, or go up to 18s which I don’t want to do.

I’m already planning on some Sparco terras for winter :bonk:

If this is the case, something like this. $180 a rim, but only in 18s.

Watanbes FTW when it comes to retro style! ;)

https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net...98&oe=5D14C13A

I put Hypergrams on my car less than a week ago. Very pleased with the look.

Where did you find 5x100 watanabes? I’ve been looking for them or knock offs. Specs? Gorgeous. Love the numbering too, I’m kind of sad my car is white so I can’t do the classic white circle for auto x

Ordered from Japan. They took 4 months to arrive. RS-Watanabe F8 17x8 +35, I believe they can be had in 17x9 as well.

Also, just because your car is white doesn't mean you can't do an awesome vintage number. When I got mine done I wished it was white so I could've emulated the old Shelby 2000GTs

https://www.supercars.net/blog/wp-co.../04/649301.jpg

http://japanesenostalgiccar.com/word...2000gt_021.jpg

That’s an awesome bit of inspo, thanks!

Oof, idk why I bothered hoping they wouldn’t be $600 a piece. I’m sure the price is justified, but... it’s a 10k car hahah

You keep bringing up the price of the car like it matters. If the original cost of the car matters so much, you should not be modding it. Mods are not cheap, and they will eventually exceed the cost of the car. If the cost is so important, then you're not having fun with it, and there really is no point.

Welcome to the group, there, MaverickMonk - :clap:

Retro - how far do you want to go back - :D

OK, I'll go away - :sigh:


humfrz

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.

I found several 3-piece or gold-center wheels on various web sites, usually around $550 a set. You get what you pay for and these are probably going to be 25-pound wheels. However after looking many types over, I've decided that the only thing that can make me want to keep my black car is retro gold-center or mesh wheels. I can get a set of BBS 17X5, 39 offset shipped from Japan for $2200 after a two-month wait.


One that looks really good is Axe 18X8 40 offset. I'd prefer to stay with 17s because a stock engine FRS doesn't need much, if any, more rubber. I can get JCS 17x8.5, 30 offset. Not sure how that would work. Spacers maybe. I could go to 245s with wheels that width, but again it's more tire than a street-stock FRS needs. One advantage to that would be that my OEM wheels can be fitted up with my track rubber.

Take the grand you're gonna end up spending on something you can only see for a few seconds while you walk towards your car, not at ALL once you're actually driving, and can't feel when 3you're driving, and put it in the gas tank instead. You'll get 9000 miles of sheer driving pleasure out of it, instead of something that you think looks cool.
I just don't get the whole "for looks" thing. Not saying I'm right and those who mod for looks are wrong.... just saying I don't get it. The whole point of this car is great handling on a beer budget. If you're going to spend another 10k or 20k modding it, why not just buy the car you really want in the first place?

Yep, you're right about not getting it :D

Sounds like you would be happy painting yours olive drab and picking up a few parking-lot dents.


I've been advising students not to over mod their cars and rely on a horsepower crutch for more years than I can count. Why on earth would I spend 10 or 20 grand in mods on a car that will be an occasional DD which holds its own quite well on track days in near-stock form. I'll install an oil cooler, pads and a few odds and ends and go out and have a ball. I bought the black car on a lark and don't like the effort to keep it looking clean. I like gold wheels and I can afford them, so I'm going to make myself enjoy it a little more. Anyway wheels aren't a dead loss. They're a slowly depreciating investment that can always be sold at a later date.

We're not way off. My lack of interest in investing money in cosmetic modifications is not the same as not caring for a vehicle; a bad paint job and dents would serve no purpose other than to devalue the car, so they are of similar no interest to me. The mods you mentioned (oil cooler, pads) are pragmatic for the intended usage and make perfect sense...if I tracked, I'd do them w/out a second thought. You have a fondness for gold wheels, the money to buy them, and a rationale that works for you as far as value over their lifetime, and that's cool. No worries... I just don't get that part personally. I'm definitely a function over form guy.

I'm down to two good possibilities. Ace EX10 18x8 30 offset which I think would be a bit too aggressive. ( I was thinking in reverse when I mentioned spacers.) The Spec 1 SP3 at 17X7 38 offset and 19Lb each sounds close to perfect for my use, and they're only about $125 each. https://www.carid.com/spec-1-wheels/...-44560668.html
I'll probably go with 225 series tires. I have Michelin Super Sports on now but again I think that's a little overkill. Maybe Firestone Firehawk 500s. Has anyone used this tire?

:cheers:

These are enroute. https://www.carid.com/spec-1-wheels/...-44560668.html I think they'll really enhance a black car. 17x7 38et with Firestone 500 Firehawk 215x45x17 which have a very favorable Tire Rack rating. I got them with TPMS installed to save the hassle. I thought about 225 series but the 215s are enough for this car on the street and I'll put my track tires on the old OEM wheels.

For the OP, there are several mesh wheels that will fit our cars and would be even more retro, but I can tell you from experience that mesh is a bearcat to keep clean. That's one reason I went with the ones I did.

Not sure about available sizes, but Rota strikes again with the RKR model. It's a copy of the Watanabe classic, but it's at an affordable price and definitely a retro look.

If i was in a position where I couldn't put gas in my car, I certainly wouldn't be buying wheels. But I'm not, so it's not an either-or question. Good driving times will be had regardless :burnrubber:

I need summer tires (Or more accurately, I needed winter tires, which necessitates summer tires), so my choices are either buy a second set of wheels, or pay $200 a year to have the tires swapped. Don't see the point in spending hundreds on wheels I don't like, just to save a few hundred over ones I actually enjoy seeing.

I'm certainly not spending 10-20k. More like 2-3k between wheels, interior mods (working on writing up some how-to threads right now), and handling upgrades (to be determined after I rack up some more time driving it, it honestly doesn't feel like it needs much, so maybe even less). And at that increased price point my ideal car is still a Brz. Now if 15k could have gotten me a low mileage Caymen, we'd have a different talk... cheers :cheers:

Those are a good look, can't seem to find the right size though, don't want to step up to 18s for fear the potholes of the DC area will leave me needing a yearly wheel replacement budget.

When I have my 3+ cups of coffee I can be downright congenial!

$200 for tire swap? Thats sounds lot vs 45eur here for same job(+rebalancing of course). If so, for winter tires for same money some cheap used wheel set (which i'd prefer to new steelies) is more then justified purchase, even more so that it can be chosen of more fit for winter use sizing (smaller, R16, and narrower) w/o compromising summer set. R16 winter tires will let save extra $100-$150 per set :).