Superior Turtle Back wheels

[bugdust]

[DHPfirefighter]

Nice. What is the backspacing of the 4.5's?

[Schlappeseppel]

Is the black surface of the turtleback rims painted or kind of pouder coated?

[Sven7]

Hey just found this- what lug pattern? (dum question)
_________________
1981 VW Rabbit Convertible zoku-sha | 1965 Ford F100 352

[Glenn]

[DucMike]

[HUST33N]

http://www.aircoolers.org/v/picture.php?albumid=302&pictureid=2456

[Typ3nut]

[quote="Schlappeseppel"]Is the black surface of the turtleback rims painted or kind of pouder coated?[/quote]

The VolksMag Wheel a.k.a. Turtleback Wheel came from the factory in two finishes Natural which was an argent finish and Black.
Also the 15 x 5 Wheels came out later around 1972-73 and yes, they are "Hard to Find".
When I purchased my set of VolksMag Wheels, I used a stud kit to mount and didn't really feel safe with them. Then I found a complete NOS Set of Caps & Lugs with instructions and it even had the glove box sticker saying "Keep four stock lugnuts onboard in case of flat" unless your spare is a VolksMag.
Superior Industries made these Wheels as well as alot of VOA Accessories, but the "Hard to Find" Center Caps had an "S" instead of the Wolfsburg Emblem.
Superior sold these wheels through their catalog of parts.

Photos of Natural Finish Wheel, NOS Cap & Lug Kit !

http://thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=77485
http://thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=323573

[Typ3nut]

Here's is a photo of the "Hard to Find" Superior Turtleback "S" CENTER CAP

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=659234

[Scott H]

[Typ3nut]

Yes, Superior Industries made some of the "Formula Vee" VOA Approved Accessories but they also sold them to parts distributors under the Superior Name. Shifters, Wheels, Bumper Guards, etc.
I have actually seen these center caps, they are "RaRe".
I have never seen, only in pictures 15 x 5 Superior Turtleback wheels but I always wondered if they had VolksMag labeled on back or are they Superior ONLY Wheels?

[mlhsquared]

Sorry, total newb question, but will the 4.5" turtles fit on a '67 Ghia with long axles? I'm not looking to fit much more than standard size tires. Thanks.
_________________
Mike
'67 Ghia Coupe

[Typ3nut]

[quote="mlhsquared"]Sorry, total newb question, but will the 4.5" turtles fit on a '67 Ghia with long axles? I'm not looking to fit much more than standard size tires. Thanks.[/quote]
Isn't a '67 Ghia a Wide Five Bolt Pattern ?
But they do fit the later Ghia's with 4 lug.

[john7]

[mlhsquared]

[barfy]

What is the widest tire you can fit on the 4.5" ones?

I have been reading on the mounting hardware and someone says that you can use the stock bolts? This doesn't seem right.
Is there a bolt that works or do you have to do a stud conversion?

[Typ3nut]

[quote="barfy"]What is the widest tire you can fit on the 4.5" ones?

I have been reading on the mounting hardware and someone says that you can use the stock bolts? This doesn't seem right.
Is there a bolt that works or do you have to do a stud conversion?[/quote]

Widest Tire is the 165/15 or 165/80/15 on 4.5, nothing wider recommended.

These are Mag Wheels and Mag Lug Nuts must fit snug into Holes for proper installation.

I have seen people use the stock bolts but you must taper (customize)...BUT not recommended due to weakening of Mag Wheel mounting area.

You could have your Car Permanently Lugged, then use Mag Lug Nuts with Flat Washers.

When I didn't have the "Hard to Find" FV Superior Special Lug Nuts I used,
Stud Kit, Mag Lug Nuts, Mag Flat Washers.
Loctite (Heavy Grade, Red) the Studs into the Mag Lug Nuts, let set-up overnight, install Flat Washer, Mount, Tighten.

See Photos...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=749954
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=749955

[blankmange]

[Typ3nut]

This was in another Tire width post and I couldn't have said it better...Safety #1 issue.

Tires are designed to run on specific rim widths. By mounting a tire on a rim that is too narrow (or too wide for that matter) the sidewall flex point shifts towards the rim. This puts the tire out of design specifications and causes a heat to build up in the sidewall of the tire. This can cause a weak spot. This tire will most likely prematurely fail. Not good. A blow-out is not what you want.

All that being said, the largest tire size that "should" be run on a 4.5" rim is a 165 (50-80 series, 80 is stock). Yes, I know people run fat tires all the time without an issue. Why should you do anything differently? Because it is the smart thing to do. No "tire look" is worth hurting or killing yourself or others for. These tire safety regulations didn't come about from some guy trying to piss on your parade. They are there because the statistics and science prove it is too risky to exceed certain design limitations. Do the smart thing and get wider wheels or run a smaller tire.

[barfy]

Typ3nut Where are the regulations posted at so we can read them?