[DeTomaso] Spot the 10-inch Campagnolo wheel differences

MikeLDrew at aol.com MikeLDrew at aol.com
Wed Oct 7 22:11:47 EDT 2009


Hi guys,

Okay, I received numerous private replies to my quiz, none of them 
containing all the answers.   Once again, here's a link to the photo showing two 
10-inch wheels, the one on the left dated 1982, the one on the right 1989:

http://www.poca.com/index.php/gallery/?g2_itemId=11905

Clicking the supersize link above the right-hand wheel will let you see the 
wheels in exquisite detail.

The differences I have found so far:

1)   Assuming the "Campagnolo" casting is in the 12 o'clock position, then 
the valve stem orientation is different.   On the left wheel, it is at about 
7 o'clock, and on the right wheel, it's at about 3:30.

2)   The valve stem is aligned with the two slots on the left wheel, and 
with the 'window' on the right one.

3)   The size of the wheel is cast into a relief on the left wheel; on the 
right wheel it's merely cast into the surface.

4)   The "JWL" logo (Japan Light Wheel alloy) is cast into a relief on the 
left wheel; on the right wheel it's merely cast into the surface, very 
lightly.   It's almost invisible, about an inch above the valve stem--in the 
corresponding location (directly across from the wheel size stamping).

5)   The "JWL" logo is stamped upside-down on the right-hand wheel.

(BTW, "JWL" (Japan Light Wheel Alloy) is a compilation of standards defined 
by the Japanese Government to ensure the vehicle's safety for aluminum road 
wheels. Every wheel put to market must be tested to meet JWL standards 
before a wheel can be put out to market in Japan.   These standards are 
generally accepted worldwide as acceptable for most road conditions. That is why you 
will see these marks on European and other Asian country wheels.   The 
standard didn't exist when the 1971-1974 Pantera wheels were being manufactured; 
the appearance of this logo identifies the wheel as being of a later era.)

6)   The center hub on the right-side wheel is much beefier and more 
substantial than the earlier wheel on the left.   As a result, it features deep, 
aggressive cutouts for lug wrench clearance; there are barely any cutouts at 
all on the earlier wheel.

(Some people suggested that the five fingers that extend from the center 
hub to the pentagon shape are wider on the later wheel.   Not true actually; 
instead, they are shorter, because the hub is a larger diameter, and thus the 
edge of it is closer to the pentagon.   They start off the same width; 
because they are shorter, they don't taper down as much).

7)   The "Campagnolo" logo is cast into a recess on the left wheel; on the 
right wheel, the recess only encompasses the bottom half of the logo, 
because it's angled instead of flat, relative to the rim of the wheel.

Anybody spot any others?

BTW I glanced at another set of 10-inch wheels over the weekend, that 
appear to be late-style (like the one on the right), but have different markings 
from mine!   I'll get a closer look and get back to you.

Mike (über-wheel geek!)




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