Trigo Wheel Question

[RodKnock]

Looking through many, I mean, a lot of various pictures, why is it that the GT40/Halibrand or the 427 S/C wheel appears to be sold with a powder coated finish and the 289 FIA wheel appears to be sold in the natural cast finish? Obviously, the natural cast finish looks original and the powder coating makes the wheels easier to clean and maintain. The 427 S/C wheel didn't come from the factory powder coated.

[1985 CCX]

You are correct!
Why is a great question, I would prefer raw and rough or original gold. The magnesium wheels, 1960 cars, came with a gold colored chromate type finish and the lip polished. The finish was a yellow gold and rough in texture. I think many painted them black right out of the gate?

Mag wheels are also not shiny like aluminum. Magnesium will oxidize rapidly when exposed to air and give a dull matte finish.

Sal's car with rough and pollished bare aluminum:


CSX3020 with magnesium wheels w/o paint:

Compliments of Ron, The Cobra master, gallery. These have oxidized since SAAC when Jack polished them. They have a bit of patina at this point and a duller finish at this time.

I think PSE does it rough if requested that way?

[Mumblerone]

How about these?

[RodKnock]

Just a follow-up question regarding the GT40/Halibrand and FIA wheel.

Did 289 FIA wheels originally come on any of the 427 S/C or Competition Cobras? The PS Engineering catalog claims that the early 427 Comp cars came with the FIA wheels until the GT40/Halibrand wheels became available. Thank you.

[computerworks]

Yes...the FIA wheel was common on 427 Comp and some S/Cs

[RodKnock]

Ron, thank you.

One more follow-up, please. Since the FIA wheel is available, why does it seem, at least to me, that most 427 owners prefer the GT40/Halibrand wheel? Is it because of the bigger brakes that one can use in the front with the GT40/Halibrand wheel and/or is it appearance?

Opinions welcome. Thank you.

[computerworks]

Personally, I think it is part of the look of the 427 that most people expect...
..so, I vote appearance.

[KevinM]

I would agree with Ron. Most people think all Cobras were S/C's and have no idea that only 31 S/C were ever built, and that the vast majority of Cobras were quite different than the S/Cs.

Nowadays, most people think the S/C is the "Cobra" and want to replicate it exactly.

Kevin

[Larry N Johnson]

Some of us even chrome plate the Trigos....

[Larry N Johnson]

Here is how Halibrand finished the Magnesium wheels that I have on Old 3850:

A natural looking put powder coated brownish gray.