Redliner223

iTrader: (6)

This is a ways off for me but I just have to ask all you old school people what has the hot wheel for Japanese cars in the 70's. I'm interested in the SSR Mk series wheels and I want to get a wheel size that is period correct. So again what was a popular size in the late 70's early 80's, what will fit the 79 car, and what was a popular make or model wheel?

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

MiniLites and Panasports in 13" x 6 or 7" width. You can get them in the 4x110 wheel pattern
still as well.

rwatson5651

iTrader: (5)

These are BBS 15 X7s. Very popular back in the day and will fit with only minor fender lip work. Rather hard to come by these days in 4 X110, however.

DivinDriver

iTrader: (15)

People were not nearly as 'rim' conscious in the early 80's as they are now. The optional cast-aluminum wheels on the -7 (waffles or the LE wheels) & even the more-common 'plus' aluminum wheels were all standouts in a world dominated by steel rims and hubcaps. Factory-available aluminum or magnesium wheels were still rare.

Most wheel swaps I recall back 'in the day' were done on muscle cars, not sports coupes, and tended to be classic "mag" designs like the ever-popular Cragar SS mags or deep-dish 'slotted' wheels (they weren't even called 'rims'). A few went with drilled & bolted 'drag' wheels.

More exotic sports cars (british, italian, etc) almost all went in for the wire-spoke design. Mesh wheels, in fact, were an imitation of the wire-spoke design originally.

This might be a local phenomenon, too; car fashions used to vary region-to-region a lot more back then; the internet has homogenized car tastes.

People cared more about the tires than the wheels, at the time.

80's old school

iTrader: (7)

I still like my Panasports!!!

Redliner223

iTrader: (6)

DD I think you've convinced me to keep my waffles. So then the next question comes up what's a tire for the 13x5.5 inch wheel in the 185/70 size. I was going to order a set but at 500$ order, put on, and balanced I just want to see what you guys are buying. I'm sorry for you guys answering questions that have been asked before, I just don't have the money to throw around to find if something is good or not (college sucks).

DivinDriver

iTrader: (15)

80's, if I was ever to go aftermarket, I think I'd go with the Panasports. They are iconic, and they really suit the car.

Redliner, I lucked into my 205/60-13's when they were on-sale at Pep Boys about 3 years ago; they were inexpensive and for non-competition 'spirited' driving they work out just fine. Unfortunately, they are NLA.

Tire Rack Still has Sumitomo HTR T4's in 185/70/13. $61 apiece in stock.

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

And if your going waffles then make sure you get RWL on those new tires to really
make them pop.

bumpstart

the more famous 4 x 110 wheels of the period would include the minilites ( pics above ) and hotwires in 13 and 14

for 3 piece racing rims ( lightweight )
rays eng/ volk racing artisan spirit ( in 14 ) [ used on some of the euro racers = TWR ]


the volks are particularly light and a genuine 3 piece

these are repainted centres,, normally they are gold /silver

other 3 piece choices would be the simmons rims from australia usually B45 and FR