Buick GS Rally Wheels

Discussion in 'Repro Parts' started by oldschool85, Mar 4, 2015.

  1. oldschool85

    oldschool85 Well-Known Member

    Which vendor or company sells the Most authentic reproduction wheels available for a 1970 Buick GS?
     
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  2. john.schaefer77

    john.schaefer77 Well-Known Member

    Caruso Performance
     
  3. oldschool85

    oldschool85 Well-Known Member

    Thoughts on these companies:


    Yearone
    OPGI
    Coker Tire
     
  4. Doo Wop

    Doo Wop Where were you in '62?

    x2
     
  5. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    I don't know how "authentic" they are but Specialty Wheel has nice Buick Rally wheels. I bought a set of 15x7 back in '95 and they still look great:laugh:
    A couple months ago I bought 2 15x8 Buick rallys from them for my MT Drag Radials. Great service and price.
     
  6. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    This is the 15x8
     

    Attached Files:

  7. Doo Wop

    Doo Wop Where were you in '62?

    Board member UNDERDOG350, PM him and he'll look after you really well.
     
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  8. ranger

    ranger Well-Known Member

    I had very bad luck with the 15X8 I bought from Wheel Vintiques. Typical Chinese junk. Took a ton of weight to balance them, and wheels started rusting after 2 months. I assume the others are better?

    Best,

    Ranger
    Aiken, SC
     
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  9. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    Mine rusted in the box...
     
  10. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    I think the quality of chrome plating has suffered. I have Wheel Vintiques that I bought about 15 -17 years ago. They look as good as the day I bought them. The only thing incorrect about them is the center spokes are chromed instead of being brushed like originals. I couldn’t care less but some do.
     
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  11. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    My Specialty Wheels 15x7's still look good, they're 'bout 15 y/0 now
    See how well the 15x8's hold up:D
     
    ranger likes this.
  12. Ryans-GSX

    Ryans-GSX Have fun, life is short.

    If you want the most authentic wheels you need to first find the correct centers. Do not use the centers that are aftermarket they are not correct also 1970 center is different then 1971 center incase you did not know that. If you provide the centers you cant get someone to make them look absolutely correct. I believe Caruso Performance is no longer doing the wheels but you need to check with him to make sure. If he is not doing them try McWheels.
     
  13. ranger

    ranger Well-Known Member

    I think the Wizard is correct. Back in 1995 I sent my 15X7 wheels to Stockton Wheel, in Stockton, Ca. to have them widened to 15X8. They cut out the centers and supplied new wheels. Chrome was plenty thick; never had a prob. E.P.A. regulations prolly had something, but not everything, to do w/ the deteriorating quality. Cheap Chinese junk is most likely the main reason. Wheel Vintiques warned that you couldn't balance the wheels they sent me on a conventional balancer. You had to use a lug-centric balancer, that few shops even have.

    So, can I send my crap Wheel Vintiques wheels someplace to have better chrome applied? If not, who currently sells the best wheels? It is sad that so much Chinese junk is now considered "wear items," like repro emblems. Look good when installed, but better hope it doesn't rain.

    --Ranger
    Aiken, SC
     
  14. Mike T

    Mike T Well-Known Member

    Unless its changed yet again, Coker owns Specialty and Wheel Vintiques. The Vintiques were made in the U.S., although the rims themselves at one point were from Mexico. Final assembly, painting and chroming was done here. Quality was a problem balancing, plating, painting, etc., but there were no alternatives at all with most of the wheels unless you wanted to rechrome original wheels.

    I was under the impression that the Buick rims were going away quite awhile back because centers were no longer available. If I recall, Vintiques said they were using original centers with new rims. If somebody invested in tooling new centers I would be shocked. For experience in this area, the cost to tool even overseas would not likely pay off with the volume of the Buick market.

    Regulation has eliminated most of the small market rechroming industry in the U.S., but you can still get it done here if you are willing to pay for it.
     
    ranger likes this.
  15. ranger

    ranger Well-Known Member

    Mike, well, I guess at this point I AM willing to pay for it. But who can do a quality, albeit costly, job?

    Ranger
    Aiken, SC
     

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