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Wed Feb 27, 2013 8:08 pm

vwfye wrote: John, the Cosmics will work with a 3/8" spacer. I had to do that with my old four lug Mahles of the same offset. It will also keep the rear tire bulge off the spring plates!
Can't imagine having a problem with the tire rubbing the spring plate. These wheels have a 4.95" backspacing and will be wearing a 195 tire. The 16x7 wheels on the rear of Sophy have a 5.6" backspacing and run a 205 tire and do not rub the spring plate. I did have to clearance the cup for the bumpstop, but that was it.

Wed Feb 27, 2013 8:25 pm

Rome wrote: John, the Porsche 2L wheels with 21mm offset are the repro's. Original factory ones are 40mm, just like the 914's 5.5" steel sport wheels ("+" center pattern).

If you are concerned with offset on the Cosmics, have you considered or researched some original Sprint Stars? They also have a styling similar to the Cosmics with raise polished spokes and black insets. SS came in various widths and offsets so that you might find a good combo for your T3 Ghia. Repro's might even provide additional width and offset choices. And SS are a pure '60's style.

I can imagine that the original Porsche 2L wheels would be considerably more expensive then the repop wheels, cosmic or otherwise.

I looked through the classifieds and the original steel Sprint Stars are running from $100 - $200 each depending on condition. Plus most of the ads don't list an offset and it would be a crapshoot to get good ones. Then I would spend more on each wheel to redo them.

Besides, I have never been a big fan of wheels with an even number of spokes, Sprint Stars, 2L, Empi 8 Spokes, etc.. Something just looks off in my eye.

Wed Feb 27, 2013 9:18 pm

What about 4 stud BRM style wheels?
You are right though, not many options with a T34 just because they are so damn narrow.
Still not 100% sure my 16x6 Fuchs will clear everything on the front.

Wed Feb 27, 2013 10:27 pm

i don't like any four lug wheel except the sprintstar. And without changing out to short axle, the only sprints that will fit are the 4 1/2's. The 5 1/2's are deep dish so you have to be lowered enough that it doesnt rub the top of the fender lip on the inside, and sometimes have to bump in the inner fender to clear the backside. For this 67 Notch, it took a weird combo of inner and outer splines to get 5 1?2's on the back

The 4 1/2's work ok all the way around though. My old 68 I got from Jacin. I traded a set of 5 1/2's for for the rear 4 1/2's

not type 34's, but I'm pretty sure the amount of room back there is the same

Wed Feb 27, 2013 10:32 pm

To me, I don't think a 4 lug sprint will look as good as the cosmics. 5 lug sprint, and I mean originals or the new BBT sprint, look great. I'm not a fan of the lip on the repops. I'm not a fan of the 4 lug BRM's at all but the 5inch would most likely fit just fine. 4 lug wheels just dont do it for me. all the reason to swap to wide or porsche 5

Thu Feb 28, 2013 11:58 am

Hey John,
The Cosmic wheels are a nice look on the Type 34 but if you go that route I'm sure you will be studding and that takes away the option of going back to stock look, that means 5 wheels, 1 for spare.
As you know, there's not many options with 4 lug wheels and their offset to fit the Type34 rear quarters. Looking in the Type34 Gallery most are running stock steel wheels.
Here's a photo of a T34 with the repo 4 lug Sprint Stars as where someone mentioned rehooping originals to get the right offset and stay 4 lug ...

But I always liked these wheels made by Pacific Italia which most say their Performance Industries, their 15" x 5" and I've seen them on Type 1 KG and PORSCHE 914 but I've never seen them on a Type 34 KG. They seem to be readily available in theSamba Classifieds.

Thu Feb 28, 2013 12:15 pm

Both of these look great!

Thu Feb 28, 2013 2:03 pm

jaransonT3 wrote: Should look something like this...

What do you all think?

LOVE the idea of Cosmics. And, it looks like you've color matched them to the roof. I'm a sucker for that idea too. I think because of the 80s, color matched wheels are looked down on, but it's so subtle, it's perfect.

BTW, the offset of Pedrinis (+OG 2.0ltr wheels) is absolutely perfect for a Type 3. No need for any spacers.

Sat Mar 02, 2013 8:52 am

Pretty much decided on the Cosmics for Jill's Ghia. Of course I can't leave well enough alone so this is the plan for the wheels....

Change the shape of the openings in the wheels from round to wedge shaped, color match the recessed portions to match the roof paint, and make up some custom center caps. I will also look into clearancing the backside of the wheel and/or the caliper so that spacers are not necessary.

Going to go through my stash of parts today and see if I have a good set of rotors and rear hubs/drums that I can re-drill and stud for the 5x130 bolt patter. I figure I have a month and a half or so to get it all done before we get the VWs out of storage for the season.

Sat Mar 02, 2013 9:35 am

Genius! 8)

Sat Mar 02, 2013 9:35 am

jaransonT3 wrote: Pretty much decided on the Cosmics for Jill's Ghia. Of course I can't leave well enough alone so this is the plan for the wheels....

Change the shape of the openings in the wheels from round to wedge shaped, color match the recessed portions to match the roof paint, and make up some custom center caps. I will also look into clearancing the backside of the wheel and/or the caliper so that spacers are not necessary.

Going to go through my stash of parts today and see if I have a good set of rotors and rear hubs/drums that I can re-drill and stud for the 5x130 bolt patter. I figure I have a month and a half or so to get it all done before we get the VWs out of storage for the season.

I love it. And since you have access to that machine shop, you should be able to do it. Once you get a rotor set up, all you'll really need wil be a sample spindle with a caliper attached, so you can check clearance, and be able to do either 2 of them, or all 4. On my 65 Notch, I had to alter the rear rims, so they would clear the button head screws for the drums. This made the rims position only, but it doesn't really bother me. :wink:
I look forward to seeing Jill's car in person this spring. 8)

Sat Mar 02, 2013 11:07 am

I know the real original cosmics fit with no clearancing issues

Chuck and Nick's Houston notches

Thu Apr 04, 2013 9:51 pm

Bit the bullet. Order the Cosmics for Jill's Ghia tonight. I also order 175/55R15 and 195/55R15 tires for the front and rear respectively. Going to be getting her car out of storage on Saturday. Time to get busy on some VW stuff (including getting back to working on the Sled).

Fri Apr 05, 2013 12:49 am

You are going to love the 175/55s on the front! THat's what was on the notch for the last invasion... great look with a lowered nose 8)

Fri Apr 05, 2013 5:53 am

The cosmics are now available in 4 bolt by the way, a little different looking but no restudding needed.

Fri Apr 05, 2013 6:01 am

vwfye wrote: You are going to love the 175/55s on the front! THat's what was on the notch for the last invasion... great look with a lowered nose 8)
Yup. That is what I have been running on the front of Sophy for a couple of years too. Love them.

Fri Apr 05, 2013 6:16 am

W1K1 wrote: The cosmics are now available in 4 bolt by the way, a little different looking but no restudding needed.
I see talk about the originals from back in the 70s but no new availability. I also wonder about the offset of the 4 lug ones.

Plus they just don't look as good as the 5 bolt ones. :D

Fri Apr 05, 2013 6:43 am

Isp west and kaddie shack are selling both 4 bolt and wide 5 cosmics, different offset though

Fri Apr 05, 2013 6:45 am

agreed on the 4lug cosmics. they are even making wide 5 cosmics now :shock:

Fri Apr 05, 2013 9:20 am

i saw a set of 4x100 water pumper cosmics the other day... interesting look.