[DeTomaso] Tire and wheel sizes

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

In a message dated 2/24/09 8:32:56 AM, michaelsavga at gmail.com writes:

> Last week, somebody mentioned how getting larger wheels was really a 
> $10,000 expense; they were not kidding,
> 
That would have been me from 10 or so years ago. This slippery-slope 
rationale may be worth repeating for newer owners: 
Big 17" or larger aluminum wheels run around $2500 or so for 4. Speed-rated 
tires to fit the big wheels run another $2500-up. Then you notice that the 
stock brakes, more visible thru the larger holes in the big wheels, look like 
toys, and with all that new traction, the car should certainly stop better than 
stock. Big brakes may cost another $2500.... Better shocks and bigger swaybars 
and poly bushings with outer sphere-balls will maximize the handling- for 
around $1800 more. 
Six months later, you find the paint over the rear quarter panels and below 
the tail lights starting to crack from the forces those giant tires and brakes 
feed into the Pantera's monococque chassis. Seam-welding the entire rear body 
and/or a proprietary chassis brace system plus a good bay-brace from one of 
the vendors fixes the paint (and metal!) cracking- at another $1200-$1500. (Add 
$5000 for a repaint). Sure, a talented penny-pincher can low-ball maybe 25% 
off the above numbers, and some mods can be done over time or at home, but the 
main points still pertain. 
Bottom line: on these fine cars, one thing always leads to another and 
nothing is simple or cheap. Good luck- J Deryke, slippery-sloper #1


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