| Author |
Message |
All_talk
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 114
Location: Thorp, WA
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Erik G
Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2002
Posts: 13270
Location: Tejas!
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
All_talk
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 114
Location: Thorp, WA
|
 Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 9:42 am Post subject: Re: New Aftermarket Smoothie Wheels |
 |
|
Now that you mention it the add does not say rim size, I assumed 15".
I know original soomthies are still pretty easy and cheap to find, but I like the idea of a 5.5" width and I'm hoping they would have the "J" style bead for a proper fit with modern tubeless radials.
I may have to get a hold of Car Craft and ask some questions. Are there any other vendors for these yet? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
60ragtop
Bonneville Belt Bitch
Joined: March 13, 2006
Posts: 7800
Location: Big Wonderful WYO 82401
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 10:43 am Post subject: Re: New Aftermarket Smoothie Wheels |
|
|
I bought some but in the 4 lug version. Been on the bug for a couple of weeks. Seem OK so far. They should be the j version, I doubt they could sell anything else
_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986
| tasb wrote: |
I've restored a large number too, but I don't toot my horn quite as loud.
|
| sb001 wrote: |
maybe he just snapped cause his car sucked  |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bladerunner80
Samba Member
Joined: February 13, 2011
Posts: 255
Location: Fife, WA
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 3:37 pm Post subject: Re: New Aftermarket Smoothie Wheels |
|
|
Where did you see the four lug version?
_________________
http://das-auto-66vw.tumblr.com/ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
60ragtop
Bonneville Belt Bitch
Joined: March 13, 2006
Posts: 7800
Location: Big Wonderful WYO 82401
|
| Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2016 10:02 am Post subject: Re: New Aftermarket Smoothie Wheels |
|
|
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Late-VW-Bug-4-Lug-Wheel-4-130-5-5-Width-/181921723182
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC-135-601-025-P
These are like the ones I bought. Pay attention to the hubcap fitting problem on the latter ones. I paid $160 shipped for mine from another supplier but they are sold out.
I just bought some center caps to fit off e bay
_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986
| tasb wrote: |
I've restored a large number too, but I don't toot my horn quite as loud.
|
| sb001 wrote: |
| maybe he just snapped cause his car sucked |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stock Steve
Samba Member
Joined: April 10, 2005
Posts: 1963
Location: My Left Nutmeg State
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
evillrdnikon
Samba Member
Joined: February 26, 2014
Posts: 180
Location: Las Vegas
|
| Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2017 5:26 pm Post subject: Re: New Aftermarket Smoothie Wheels |
|
|
I have been looking at getting those in the 5.5". Dunno if ill get chrome or regular since I will be coating them black. Ill let you know if i get them and how they work out |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stock Steve
Samba Member
Joined: April 10, 2005
Posts: 1963
Location: My Left Nutmeg State
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stock Steve
Samba Member
Joined: April 10, 2005
Posts: 1963
Location: My Left Nutmeg State
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2017 9:31 am Post subject: Re: New Aftermarket Smoothie Wheels |
|
|
Just received a set of 4.5-inchers, ordered online from J-Bugs (they also have 5.5-inchers). Very clearly marked "Made in China" on the boxes and also impression stamped on the back side of the wheels themselves also).
Haven't done anything more than open the box up to look at one of them so far, but it appears to be a nicely made wheel, and what appears to be a nice glossy silver + clearcoat (powdercoat?) finish. Initially I was thinking of refinishing them in some other color or colors, but wow, the as-received finish is so nice, I'm leaning toward leaving them as-is for now...
Looking forward to getting some tires for them eventually...
The "Made in China" marking is visible, upside down, near the 12 o'clock position, in the view below:
_________________
Stock Steve
Shoreline Antique Auto Connection
http://www.shorelineantiqueautoconnection.com/
-----
Ich Bin Ein Facebooker: https://www.facebook.com/steve.fromsaac
-----
Join VVWCA: http://www.vvwca.com/
-----
Your source for old school metal tire valve caps: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1416217
-----
Thanks Veterans |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
APPLEGREENVW
Samba Member
Joined: November 30, 2003
Posts: 2387
Location: Seekonk,Massachusetts USA
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stock Steve
Samba Member
Joined: April 10, 2005
Posts: 1963
Location: My Left Nutmeg State
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mike Fisher
Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006
Posts: 17968
Location: Eugene, OR
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2017 10:07 pm Post subject: Re: New Aftermarket Smoothie Wheels |
|
|
I still think two-tone paint looks better than any single color on steel wheels. Even pin striping helps quite a bit. 
_________________
https://imgur.com/user/FisherSquareback/posts
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold
Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stock Steve
Samba Member
Joined: April 10, 2005
Posts: 1963
Location: My Left Nutmeg State
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2017 9:34 am Post subject: Re: New Aftermarket Smoothie Wheels |
|
|
| Mike Fisher wrote: |
I still think two-tone paint looks better than any single color on steel wheels. Even pin striping helps quite a bit.
|
That's a beautiful, classic look, Mike Fisher, and to tell you the truth, something like that's what I originally envisioned doing, but when I saw how nice these wheels came thru as-received, I decided to live with 'em as-is for the time being. I'm sure I'll eventually get the itch for some sort of custom color combo, though...
Thanks again for chiming in, Mike!
_________________
Stock Steve
Shoreline Antique Auto Connection
http://www.shorelineantiqueautoconnection.com/
-----
Ich Bin Ein Facebooker: https://www.facebook.com/steve.fromsaac
-----
Join VVWCA: http://www.vvwca.com/
-----
Your source for old school metal tire valve caps: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1416217
-----
Thanks Veterans |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
a.wilson
Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2007
Posts: 2033
Location: Georgia
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2017 6:34 pm Post subject: Re: New Aftermarket Smoothie Wheels |
|
|
On the plus side; after seeing another photo besides from online advertisers, those look great.
On the minus side; Sort of a let down they're made in China. (Was hoping they were made here, or from Brazil or Mexico). But with so many aftermarket wheels coming from China... guess they aren't any better or worse than anything else. So long as the quality is decent.
I can still live with them. Thanks for the different pictures.
_________________
Be kind to all critters. America's "H8TERZ" can drink sludgy used Motor Oil!
oemwolf |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stock Steve
Samba Member
Joined: April 10, 2005
Posts: 1963
Location: My Left Nutmeg State
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2017 10:49 pm Post subject: Re: New Aftermarket Smoothie Wheels |
|
|
| a.wilson wrote: |
On the plus side; after seeing another photo besides from online advertisers, those look great.
On the minus side; Sort of a let down they're made in China. (Was hoping they were made here, or from Brazil or Mexico). But with so many aftermarket wheels coming from China... guess they aren't any better or worse than anything else. So long as the quality is decent.
I can still live with them. Thanks for the different pictures. |
I haven't done anything with them as of yet--they're still sitting in the shipping boxes. Eventually I will try to report back on how a stock hubcap fits on them, how they fit up to a stock brake drum, and so forth.
The Made in China thing doesn't thrill me either, but I will say that the Made in China "Pre-A" 16" wheels that I purchased recently from another company have been very satisfactory as far as I can see, reference: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=
_________________
Stock Steve
Shoreline Antique Auto Connection
http://www.shorelineantiqueautoconnection.com/
-----
Ich Bin Ein Facebooker: https://www.facebook.com/steve.fromsaac
-----
Join VVWCA: http://www.vvwca.com/
-----
Your source for old school metal tire valve caps: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1416217
-----
Thanks Veterans |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stock Steve
Samba Member
Joined: April 10, 2005
Posts: 1963
Location: My Left Nutmeg State
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2017 7:48 am Post subject: Re: New Aftermarket Smoothie Wheels |
|
|
Just had some 4.5" wide, known ET46 (per original impression stamps) 4-bolt Bug wheels powdercoated, and decided to compare backspacing of these with the recently-acquired new China-repro 4-bolt smoothies @ 4.5" width (they also sell a 5.5" wide version) that I bought from J-Bugs.
Using the old straightedge across the back and then measure down to the bolting surface, both the ET46 VW wheel and the China repro smoothie measured 4.5". So, it would be my conclusion the China repro 4.5" wide smoothie is also ET46 offset. Good to know.
EDIT: I'm frankly a little surprised now that I had so many matching ET46 wheels to begin with (the red one shown is one of five matching ones that I scrounged from my collection of used wheels to bring to the powdercoater). ET46's are Type 3 wheels, aren't they???
_________________
Stock Steve
Shoreline Antique Auto Connection
http://www.shorelineantiqueautoconnection.com/
-----
Ich Bin Ein Facebooker: https://www.facebook.com/steve.fromsaac
-----
Join VVWCA: http://www.vvwca.com/
-----
Your source for old school metal tire valve caps: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1416217
-----
Thanks Veterans |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stock Steve
Samba Member
Joined: April 10, 2005
Posts: 1963
Location: My Left Nutmeg State
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
APPLEGREENVW
Samba Member
Joined: November 30, 2003
Posts: 2387
Location: Seekonk,Massachusetts USA
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stock Steve
Samba Member
Joined: April 10, 2005
Posts: 1963
Location: My Left Nutmeg State
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
