Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #732, 428FE (447 CID), TKO600, Solid Flat Tappet Cam, Tons of Aluminum
Posts: 22,011
Not Ranked
Quote:
Originally Posted by Got the Bug
Seeing RodKnocks KMP in the Bay Area is akin to an Elvis sighting.
I would venture to guess that RodKnock hasn't driven his car any more than I've driven my car since I popped her in to her sleeping bag in November. This winter seems like it's gone on forever, but I do see signs that spring is not that far away. What we really need now is some heavy steady rains to wash away all the white salt that's covering everything.
Easy on Fran, he has been under the weather.......
Under 80 degree weather! He's at his sister's in Fort Meyers and they have had a nice stretch of weather. I talked to him the other day, but didn't ask about the wheels (but then I'm not buying any...)
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Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #732, 428FE (447 CID), TKO600, Solid Flat Tappet Cam, Tons of Aluminum
Posts: 22,011
Not Ranked
Soon, Chas, Soon...
Quote:
Originally Posted by ERA Chas
Don't have to-can check oil level by looking at garage floor.
Uhhh speaking of oil leaks, soon sleeping beauty will be coming out of her bag. Last September I think I located the last source of my misting leaks, which of course form "nuisance puddles" under the car directly under places that bear no relation to the actual source of the leak itself. This last year I lined the bottom of the bag, under the engine compartment area, with sheets of white ledger paper to see if there would be any drips over the five month nap. That will be fun to see. Here is the thread from last September on the FE Forum where I used the hardware from a sliding door to fix my leak. I'm sure you'll love it: http://www.network54.com/Forum/74182...An+Unusual+Fix
When I spoke with Fran yesterday he was on a bike ride.
I think he's doing a bit better.
I'll have more info on Monday when he calls me.
When I spoke with Fran, he said he still had to make several phone calls. I left him my number, as I did a couple years ago when I first became interested in purchasing a set of magnesium wheels. It's a very big investment and I understand the hesitation to layout a ton of money for us enthusiasts.
It would be nice to hear from Richard at Halibrand with a "go" or "no go" decision. I'd call him, but I'm sure he doesn't want 10-20 people calling him all the time.
Not a bad idea, but I've found communication to be overrated when it comes to magnesium wheel production.
OK then here's another thought. Why not contact the nice folks who make the high quality Vintage wheels (by all accounts) and discuss pouring mag in those molds instead of bauxite.
They'd be $600 per wheel instead of $1000. You would have a beautifully poured and machined set with very minor shape differences from originals. A steady supply. You would not be held hostage to guys that apparently don't see the percentage$ for casting 25 sets (initially). They are acting like health insurance companies-they want to price you away -so you don't buy their insurance. With Vintage you'd have folks that are responsive to questions and orders.
The snobs among you would say 'well it's an offshore wheel and not a "real" Halibrand'. The show-off factor is less. That makes no sense unless you want them for a 3000 series car.
Your current Trigos are less "real" than that-they're aluminum, have stems in the 'wrong' location, shape and marking differences. Further, Kress' stuff would not be "real"-no logo or stampings per original. I don't know what Richard's wheels would be marked like.
RodM has made a serious, organized effort to make this happen-350+ posts and 24 pages worth and is still being ignored like a lap dancer with leprosy. Others desirous of mag have launched similar campaigns as evidenced by the multiple wheel threads. At some point you've got to realize these two don't wanna make these wheels for you.
I have no axe to grind-I've got my "real" ones- and have no connection to Vintage. I just hate when a flock of very willing customers with $$ at the ready are consistently ignored with a host of bogus reasons-and worse, unresponsive communication-why these can't be produced. You've got to conclude the message from Kress and Richard is "go away".
Of course an inquiry to "China" and you'd have 1000's of mag wheels in 6 weeks for $199 each...
I've got to assume that Bob Lacey, I believe the owner of Vintage, has had to have seen at least one or two of these ridiculous magnesium wheel threads. He's probably staying away because isn't pouring a magnesium wheel a little different than an aluminum wheel?
I've been chasing a set for three plus years now. I think my best bet may be finding an NOS set on eBay, but then I'm competing with the CSX3000 owners, which could/will be problematic.
I've got to assume that Bob Lacey, I believe the owner of Vintage, has had to have seen at least one or two of these ridiculous magnesium wheel threads. He's probably staying away because isn't pouring a magnesium wheel a little different than an aluminum wheel?
Exposing yourself to NOS sharks is asking for an $8K set. You could do Webers for that.
Yes that's true mag pouring is different but my point is, it can't hurt to ask...
Cobra Make, Engine: KMP 427 S/C, Twin Paxton 511 FE
Posts: 2,594
Not Ranked
I wouldn't give up hope just yet on Fran. Everything I've heard about him is that "he'll get it done" and "he's the guy to call" with many singing his praises. He's recently run mag kidneys and is always filling some voids in our hobby.
I've emailed Richard twice last week. Still no response. If I call, I'll catch him. Notice the word 'catch'. I'll post his latest today.
Fran did say he'd call me today.
If we get nowhere with Fran and Richard then maybe we can try Chas' idea.
I know that Trigo isn't interested. I'm confident that a min run (25 sets?) would all get sold in a resonable amount of time (whatever reasonable means ) but that initial outlay of cash is the blues that everyone's singing now.
With all the effort you guys have expended in posting why not try to source them yourselves??
All you need is a CAD file of an existing wheel (maybe one of you could sweet talk David K. to kick one loose to you or have Sandwich whip one up quickly)
From there a quick email to one of these companies, along with the CAD file, and expected quantities and you're in business.
All it takes is one call to M&A. They can build a mold very quickly since they know the wheel quite well having built Halibrand's version as well as Fran's version in the past.
The difficult part is the money. I'm sure $25,000-$50,000 of seed money is required to get them going.
This winter seems like it's gone on forever, but I do see signs that spring is not that far away. What we really need now is some heavy steady rains to wash away all the white salt that's covering everything.
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