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Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:54 am

I searched this and didn't come up with anything, so if it's already somewhere else, sorry. I stumbled across a set of wheels that look EXACTLY like what everyone else has posted as Ansen Sprints. They are a 4 lug and from what I can see, look fairly wide in the width. They are in decent shape and are a machined finish currently.

1. How do I know if they are real 4 lug Ansen Sprints?
2. These look really wide, what width's were available?
3. How much are the 4 lugs worth?
4. Would it be beneficial to clean them up and polish them?

Thanks guys in advance!!

Tue Apr 03, 2007 5:00 pm

What exact size are they? The ones you want look just like the ones in this thread but 4 lug.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=223888

Tue Apr 03, 2007 5:45 pm

okay, i know of several companies that built ansen style wheels:

Ansen
Superior
Shelbey Cal 500
Western
American Racing

they all made a 5 kidney bean slot wheel in 4 and 5 lug

Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:22 pm

ansen four lug...

superior

shelby cal 500

western( bottomleft )

american racing salt flats

Tue Apr 03, 2007 8:15 pm

Better picture of the Western wheel.

Tue Apr 03, 2007 9:08 pm

You don`t want any of those in the above post. They have the wrong offset and won`t fit under the wheelwells.

Tue Apr 03, 2007 9:15 pm

Not the best picture but these are the Ansens that will fit. There are 15x5.5. And even at that I ran a 2.5 inch beam.

Tue Apr 03, 2007 11:15 pm

i've had the ansens under a type 3 and the shelby cal 500s as well... they both come in 2 different offsets and one is perfect for type 3s. i've also seen people take the 5 lug units and open the center hole up. and run them without caps

Wed Apr 04, 2007 6:43 am

They look exactly like the ansens that discoloredcurrency displayed. I need to throw a tape across them to see how wide they are. The ansen 4lugs didn't have a bolt on center cap? Are there any ansen specific markings on the inside of the wheel? No matter what, I'm not out any money. These wheels are being given to me for doing a buddy a favor!!!! These wheels have a little curb "scuff", but easily cleaned up and polished. If these are original ansen 4 lugs, what kind of money are we talking unfinished, and polished?

Wed Apr 04, 2007 6:52 am

They do also look like the shelby cal 500, though. How do I identify them?

Wed Apr 04, 2007 8:59 am

ansens have the word "ansen" on back of the wheel. the shelby cal 500s have the name in very large letters on the inside back... and ansens require center caps the have screws. no screw holes, not ansen.

Wed Apr 04, 2007 9:38 am

So are the cal 500's worth anything? BTW, thanks for all the help on this guys!

Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:11 am

they are worth something if someone NEEDS them. i had a pair that went to sweden to finish a set for a gent. i think he paid close to 200 in shipping and taxes above the cost of the wheels because he needed them. otherwise, 50-60 per wheel without out curb rash is probably fair. the ansens seem to be the bigger money draw.

Fri Apr 06, 2007 6:44 am

Finally got them off the car and I don't see Ansen anywhere on the back. :( Oh well, not like I paid anything for 'em!

Sat Apr 07, 2007 8:51 pm

Bryan67 wrote: You don`t want any of those in the above post. They have the wrong offset and won`t fit under the wheelwells.

Yeah what he said... :lol:
mine are even with the fenders lip, but the tires on mine are wider than the rim so they stick out farther than they should.

Fri Apr 13, 2007 8:06 am

Got some pics, guessing they are the knock offs. Are there any interest in these?

Fri Apr 13, 2007 8:07 am

vwfye wrote: ansens have the word "ansen" on back of the wheel. the shelby cal 500s have the name in very large letters on the inside back... and ansens require center caps the have screws. no screw holes, not ansen.
I couldn't find any lettering on the back.

Fri Apr 13, 2007 7:50 pm

I thought mine were Western Wheels, but on the backside theres the letter A, with a circle around it, does that mean anything?

Mon Oct 01, 2007 9:14 pm

I emailed a company that deals with Ansen/ coppies too, an I sent them a pic of my rims, because I thought maybe the PO just put some random caps on it.Did the Western style, have American Racing Corp. on the back with a emblem like this @ but with a capitalized A instead of the small a in the center?Whats that little emblem mean? :? They look just like his in the above picture, silmilar offset style to, but mine are 15x4.5.

Tue Oct 02, 2007 7:52 am

buggpower wrote: I thought mine were Western Wheels, but on the backside theres the letter A, with a circle around it, does that mean anything?

I think the stylized "A" stands for "Appliance" as Appliance Wheel made some Ansen lookalikes, as well.