DeTomaso Mailing List: January 00, Message #226

In a message dated 1/5/00 13:58:33, bradshaw@dial.pipex.com writes:

<< OK, I've checked out the position =
over here in the UK regarding 15" tyres, and its not good. 

>>>Nor anywhere else, sadly... :<(

>I'm wanting =
to know who supplies the wheels shown on the GT5S in Profiles 1998 no3  .
Are they Pantera East rims as shown on the inside front cover of the =
same mag, or Hall Pantera as fitted to Purple Passion.

>>>Neither.  Those particular wheels were made by Steve Wilkinson, of 
Panteras by Wilkinson.  He sort of invented the notion of billet aluminum 
copies of factory-style wheels in 17-inch; in fact DTDC member John Woods has 
a set of his early-style Campys ready to go on his car--call him and ask him 
what he thinks about quality, etc.

Marino Perna of Pantera East got into the game considerably later.  
Offhandedly I'd say that his GT5-style wheels are nominally identical to 
Wilkinson's, while his early-style Campys have slightly different features 
and are different enough that most people have a preference for one or the 
other, although there seems to be no clear consensus.  I'm sure when you talk 
to Perna and Wilkinson, they will be more than happy to point out the 
advantages of their particular wheels over their competitor's model! :>)

>Are the wheels a direct bolt on replacement for the supplied factory =
rims, having the same offset/inset,bolt pattern etc. or are any other =
modifications needed.

>>>Since they were designed from the start by Pantera vendors strictly for 
use on the Pantera, they fit perfectly with no modifications required.  I 
heard that one of the first sets of Marino's wheels needed the center hogged 
out slightly to fit over an aftermarket axle; that was because the center of 
the axle was just slightly larger than the stock axle, however.

>When fitted with the centre Champ Nut, is this just a cover trim that =
fits over the 5 standard nuts, or is there a hub conversion needed =
whereby the wheel is retained purely by the Champ nut. ie it's =
functional.

>>>Hall's wheels come with a purely cosmetic wingnut.  There is a threaded 
adapter that is held in place by the five lug nuts; the cosmetic cover then 
threads onto the adapter.  I'm not quite sure what the point of this exercise 
is; I guess some folks think they look pretty snazzy.  They were big in the 
'80's, anyway.  The center covers can make an extremely annoying clicking 
sound unless they are insulated somehow; a thin piece of rubber trim seems to 
do the trick just fine.

>Given that I want 10x17 and 13x17, once fitted with tyres is there any =
rubbing on full lock to the front inner wing (fender) panel, or =
elsewhere?

>>>Can't say for sure but I'd be inclined to doubt it on a GT5-S.  Those 
wheels have tremendous offset; the inner edge of the tire is a considerable 
distance away from the inside of the fenderwells.  When fitting similar-sized 
tires on an early-style car, rubbing at full lock is the norm.  And so what? 
:>)

>Can anyone also tell me the suitability of these billet type wheels for =
track use and do they meet type approval for UK road use? (if relevant).

>>>Because the wheel centers are made from solid billet, they are rather 
heavy, certainly when compared to the stock magnesium wheels.  Whether 
they're suitable for track use is a matter of pure speculation.  My 
understanding is that Wilkinson's wheels and Hall's wheels are NOT approved 
for use on public highways by our Dep't of Transportation, which doesn't mean 
that they aren't strong enough, it only means they haven't taken the massive 
expense and effort to deal with gov't red tape and bureaucracy.

Marino's wheels are manufactured by Boyd Coddington; since Boyd's wheels were 
DOT approved (as far as I know) way back when, the possibility exists that 
Marino's wheels are also, although I wouldn't bet on it.  (Marino, you 
lurker, chime in here!)

Finally, regarding their legality for use on UK roads, that's a tough one.  
They are super-strong and certainly more durable than the stock magnesium, so 
there's no GOOD reason why anybody should question them.  But in a land where 
there's talk about satellite-controlled speed governors that will shut down 
the engines of cars speeding on public highways, who knows?  I wouldn't be 
surprised to hear that Government Regulation Of Bedtime is before the houses 
of Parliament!

If this becomes a concern, then I'd consider shopping at Pantera Performance 
Center or Pantera Parts Connection.  Both PPC's offer wheels by Etoile and 
Kinesis in appropriate offsets; I know the Etoile versions (as pictured on 
the GT5-S featured as the DeTomaso of the Quarter in that same 1998 #3 issue) 
are fully DOT, TUV and Mom-approved; the Kinesis wheels might be also.

>Can anyone confirm the tyres sizes for these rims to be 245x40-17, and =
335x35-17....

>>>Those are the correct sizes for a narrow-bodied Pantera.  GT5-S/GT5/Group 
4 cars typically wear wider fronts, 285/40 being the norm (which is a good 
bit taller than the original 285/40-15, and the 335/35 is also considerably 
taller than the original 345/35-15)

>are Yokohalmas available?

>>>Yup, the Yoko AVS Intermediate is available in 275/35 and 275/40-17.  The 
AVS Sport can be had in 285/40-17.  The A-520 can be had in 275/40 and 
285/40-17.  The AVS S-1 is available in 275/40-17.  And finally the AVS S-4 
is also available in 275/40-17.  For circuit use and occasionally use on dry 
roads, the A008RSII can be had in 275/40 as well.  These are competition 
tires which will give you 1000 miles of hard, hard driving before they're 
down to the cord, but your internal organs will be rearranged on every 
roundabout as long as it's dry! :>)

LOTS of front tire choices available from Yokohama!!!!

In the rear, only the AVS Intermediate, AVS Sport and A008RS II are 
available, and there only in 315/35-17.

It seems many/most guys over here are running Dunlops on their GT5-style 
cars, the SP Sport 8000 in 275/40 or 285/40 front and 335/35 rear.  Michelin 
Pilots are also available in the same sizes, in several different flavors.  
BF Goodrich also makes excellent tires in the same sizes for about half the 
price of the Frogs! :>)

Surf on over to the Tire Rack website (www.tirerack.com) to see what's 
available in the USA; my understanding is that the same tires can be had in 
Europe for considerably higher prices, which is why many DeTomaso Drivers 
Club of Great Britain members do their tire shopping while on vacation in the 
USA.  As a matter of fact, the savings in the cost of a set of tires is often 
enough to fully finance a trip to the Las Vegas POCA convention!!! :>)

Mike