What do you guys think of this 73 mild donk? I think I like it. Whats all involved

Discussion in 'A boatload of fun' started by garybuick, Mar 25, 2016.

  1. garybuick

    garybuick Time Traveler

    Do you know anything about this cars owner? I want to know what size wheels and tires and how they got that lifted stance. It looks kinda cool. I know its blasphemy to some of you puriists but its pretty mild compared to what Ive seen.

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Drachen

    Drachen Well-Known Member

    Re: What do you guys think of this 73 mild donk? I think I like it. Whats all invo

    Love it all except the wheels. It would look much better at stock ride height IMO, with maybe 20" wheels.

    I once got into a shouting match (yes, alcohol was incolved) with someone who donkified a '67 Cutlass
    convertible - huge 26" rims, weird paint job, ugly custom interior, etc. I told him that for the money
    he spent f-ing up his car, he could have restored it to original condition and have something that he
    would be able to resell eventually.

    Sure enough, the car wound up on Craigslist a few months later and sat on there for almost a year.
    The asking price eventually dropped from something like $30K to $14K "or best offer."
     
  3. garybuick

    garybuick Time Traveler

    Re: What do you guys think of this 73 mild donk? I think I like it. Whats all invo

    what size rims do you think are on there now? I just like the stance on this red 73 LeSabre for some reason. Everything else I like original style.

    what about these 20" american racing rims on this 69 impala?

    283227_59973a8890_low_res.JPG rim.jpg
     
  4. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

    Re: What do you guys think of this 73 mild donk? I think I like it. Whats all invo

    I think adding several hundred pounds of unsprung weight to the mass the car already has, taxing the stock brakes, hurting the turning radius, ruining the ride, and raising it up 'truck high' is kinda dumb, especially when you, the driver, get all the negatives and the positive (if there is one) is you've impressed a passerby. I do think (as Drachen mentioned) it's really funny when I see cars all 'personalized' with weird paint and interiors and such for sale and the owner thinks his crate is worth more because of it; I start subtracting the cost of removing them. But my opinion and a buck or two gets you a cup of coffee.
    Patrick

    The Chevy is better, but it's still going to ride and stop worse than it would with normal tires and rims.
    P.
     
  5. garybuick

    garybuick Time Traveler

    Re: What do you guys think of this 73 mild donk? I think I like it. Whats all invo

    Wheel height looks about the same as stock. I dont know what you mean by several hundred lbs of additional unsprung weight though. What do you mean? I think this ride is pretty mild, looks like just a few inches taller than normal.

    [​IMG]





    Not like this one.

    [​IMG]

    or this one
    [​IMG]

    or this one
    [​IMG]
     
  6. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

    Re: What do you guys think of this 73 mild donk? I think I like it. Whats all invo

    'Unsprung Weight is just that--it's worse than weight added to the body or interior because it's not suspended.(Not sure why, but "science, b**tch!) Plus wheels act as flywheels--the heavier they are the harder it is to start them turning; once they're spinning it's harder to stop. The stopping distance from a given speed will be a good bit longer and will cause a lot faster brake wear and maybe rotor warpage too.
    Patrick
     
  7. garybuick

    garybuick Time Traveler

    Re: What do you guys think of this 73 mild donk? I think I like it. Whats all invo

    I just dont see it in the example of the 73 red lesabre pic. The wheels are about the same height, the car just looks raised a few inches. In the other pictures, I definitely see your point and I have zero interest in any of that.
     
  8. 66electrafied

    66electrafied Just tossing in my nickel's worth

    Re: What do you guys think of this 73 mild donk? I think I like it. Whats all invo

    What do each of those wheels with tires weigh? If it's double what a stock Buick chrome road-wheel and tire is, then it's way too much and your handling will be severely compromised. Not to mention, the car is now just loaded up wrong; it was never designed to be that high off the ground. The weight and balance are going to be thrown off a bit. Sure, it's probably no big deal if all you do is cruise down main street at a sedate pace.

    Besides the other points previously stated above about the look and saleability of custom cars, I guess if you like it, do it, but know full well it's your own personal taste and expression and that instead of having a car that a majority of people can get into and appreciate, you're going to polarize your audience. There are going to be some that'll love it, and others that will hate it. There will be no in between as there is with a stock restoration.

    I for one, absolutely hate it. I'll leave it at that because there's no point arguing taste.
     
  9. garybuick

    garybuick Time Traveler

    Re: What do you guys think of this 73 mild donk? I think I like it. Whats all invo

    are you lumping this car in with the others? This one looks pretty normal dont you think?
    [​IMG]
     
  10. LARRY70GS

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

    Re: What do you guys think of this 73 mild donk? I think I like it. Whats all invo

    Buick Rallye wheels are very heavy. I bet those wheels are aluminum and weigh less. I don't like the look. You can't beat the appearance of the Buick Rallye wheels IMHO.
     
  11. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    Re: What do you guys think of this 73 mild donk? I think I like it. Whats all invo

    With those "Rubber band" tires hope you don't accidentally hit ANY potholes. You need to leave in the budget $$$ to purchase wheels & tires as they become destroyed. Maybe even buy another complete set for when the inevitable happens. When this happens those particular wheels & or tires may NOT be available any longer, hence buying two complete sets in the beginning.
    Just MHO
     
  12. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

    Re: What do you guys think of this 73 mild donk? I think I like it. Whats all invo

    Ive been referencing the red LeSabre the whole time. I bet those wheels, being chrome plated and at least 18'x8", are at least 20 or 30 pounds heavier per piece than anything Buick ever offered. That, the tire sidewall and width, the ride height, all will hurt its driveability. Mods that cost money and hurt performance aren't my thing. Comparing it to the Regal and Caprice is like saying "at least I didn't crap my pants, I just peed in them'.
    Patrick
     
  13. PatricksBuick

    PatricksBuick PatrickBuick

    Re: What do you guys think of this 73 mild donk? I think I like it. Whats all invo

    To me drivability is important. I would not want to sacrifice it for looks. my .02
    So why not start at the 15'' originals and work your way slowly up. 16'', 17'' rims and tires so that the total wheels size is unchanged would likely improve drivability. And in my view also the looks.

    Patrick
     
  14. LARRY70GS

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

    Re: What do you guys think of this 73 mild donk? I think I like it. Whats all invo

    I might be wrong, but I find that really hard to believe. Are you saying those wheels weigh 50-60 lbs? I never weighed my 15 X 8 Rallye wheels, but they seem really heavy.
     
  15. Smokey15

    Smokey15 So old that I use AARP bolts.

    Re: What do you guys think of this 73 mild donk? I think I like it. Whats all invo

    Add me to the "Don't Like" list. But, to each their own.
     
  16. Bad Boattail

    Bad Boattail Guest

    Re: What do you guys think of this 73 mild donk? I think I like it. Whats all invo

    Had to think about this thread when I across this green model year 1973 LeSabre sedan with big rims, for sale in Lithuania (former USSR).
    I don't like the design of the rims, but I don't think that the wheels are too big:

    Click photo to view advertisement :Comp:

    [​IMG]
     
  17. pbr400

    pbr400 68GS400

    Re: What do you guys think of this 73 mild donk? I think I like it. Whats all invo

    Most aftermarket wheels like that are cast aluminum with chrome plate, and as such are likely 30 pounds each at a minimum, plus the weight of the tire. They may not add hundreds of pounds but it will be enough to feel. But maybe not. Your mileage may vary. It's your car, do what makes you happy.
    Patrick
     
    68ElectraCustom likes this.
  18. GSX 554

    GSX 554 Gold Level Contributor

    Re: What do you guys think of this 73 mild donk? I think I like it. Whats all invo

    Larry I've shipped a few of the Buick wheels and they come in around 25-30 lbs each.
     
  19. Jim Weise

    Jim Weise EFI/DIS 482

    Re: What do you guys think of this 73 mild donk? I think I like it. Whats all invo

    Closest I have gotten to DONK wheels is my Sister's work Suburban.. When she bought it, it had a set of 22" or 24" wheels on it.. I don't care for them, but she likes them, so I bought a set of winter tires and stock rims for Her, and she switches off with the seasons now.

    I will say, compared to the stock 16" wheels/tires, the big ones are really heavy.. twice the weight is not out of the question, although I have not weighed them.

    She does go thru brakes with them, and the ride is horrible compared to the stock wheels/quality tires. I have not noticed that much difference in handling, in the little bit I have driven it.

    I personally don't mind an aftermarket wheel on older Buicks, but I think 16's are plenty big, 17's start to take on that DONK look. Anything bigger than that and it's clown car time..

    JW
     
  20. LARRY70GS

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

    Re: What do you guys think of this 73 mild donk? I think I like it. Whats all invo

    Yup, that's what I figured, 30 lbs for a 15 X 8. I just have a hard time believing that the Donk wheels are 20-30 lbs heavier than that. I figure the tires are heavy too, but the short side wall tires should be a bit lighter.
     

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