[DeTomaso] Pantera GT5S *seventeen* inch wheels

cengles at cox.net cengles at cox.net
Tue Sep 30 13:55:03 EDT 2014


Dear Mike,

                   Pantera Performance has tires on the Group 4 
seventeen inch wheels.   Since they have them in hand and on the ground, 
I expect that the tires are available.

                                    Warmest regards,  Chuck Engles



On Tue, Sep 30, 2014 at 11:42 AM, Mike Drew wrote:

  Chuck,

I wasn't clear enough. I believe front tire availability is the issue 
for 17-inch wheels. Others are more knowing than I am but I think the 
goal is to get something like a 285/30-17 or 285/35, which were 
available at one time but aren't anymore?  I think the widest front tire 
is a 245 which much too narrow, and the next larger 17-inch are too wide 
and much too tall?

Somebody who is smarter on this subject please chime in!

Mike

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 30, 2014, at 9:04, cengles at cox.net 
<javascript:parent.wgMail.openComposeWindow('cengles at cox.net')> wrote:

  <javascript:parent.wgMail.openComposeWindow('cengles at cox.net')>
Dear Mike,

                   See below.



In a message dated 9/30/14 7 59 34, cengles at cox.net 
<javascript:parent.wgMail.openComposeWindow('cengles at cox.net')> writes:


                 "I read somewhere in the last twelve months that there
was a source for seventeen inch diameter  reproduction Pantera GT5S
wheels.   A friend is now ready to make the change from the originals.
Now, I can't seem to find nor Google the source or reference.  Anyone
able to direct the search? "

>>> Both Wilkinson and Pantera East offer them.   Wilkinson's are 17x10 
>>> and 17x13 I believe, while Pantera East are 17x11 and 17x13? 
>>> That's from memory, could be off a bit.
$$$$$$$$$   Good.

Note that tire availability is becoming a problem!   In fact even though 
it's still pretty difficult, it's arguably easier to get 15-inch tires 
in the appropriate sizes (and the cars look infinitely better with the 
short 24-inch tires they were intended for, rather than the 27-inch 
tires that the larger-diameter wheels restrict you to) than 17-inch 
tires in the 'right' sizes.
$$$$$$$$$   Tire availability is becoming the bane of many sports cars, 
it seems, whatever size one chooses!    In any event a reliable source 
tells me that a Michelin Pilot mounted to a seventeen inch GT5S repro 
measures 25.03" (!) diameter.  Perhaps not a short 24 inch diameter, but 
far better than a 27 inch diameter.  FWIW.

    Some people are going to 18-inch wheels, which IMHO makes the 
widebody cars look positively cartoonish.
   But if that's the look you're after, it's an available, albeit very 
expensive option.
$$$$$$$  Ah, no thanks.

Figure minimum $6-8K cost to transition away from the 15-inch wheels.
$$$$$$  Yes, that would be about right.

    Makes even expensive 15-inch tires downright cheap by comparison...
$$$$$$   You pays your money and makes your choice.....

                        Warmest regards,  Chuck Engles

Mike
-------------- next part --------------
   Dear Mike,

                     Pantera Performance has tires on the Group 4
   seventeen inch wheels.   Since they have them in hand and on the
   ground, I expect that the tires are available.

                                      Warmest regards,  Chuck Engles

   On Tue, Sep 30, 2014 at 11:42 AM, Mike Drew wrote:

    Chuck,

   I wasn't clear enough. I believe front tire availability is the issue
   for 17-inch wheels. Others are more knowing than I am but I think the
   goal is to get something like a 285/30-17 or 285/35, which were
   available at one time but aren't anymore?  I think the widest front
   tire is a 245 which much too narrow, and the next larger 17-inch are
   too wide and much too tall?

   Somebody who is smarter on this subject please chime in!

   Mike

   Sent from my iPhone

   On Sep 30, 2014, at 9:04, [1]cengles at cox.netwrote:

   Dear Mike,

                     See below.



   In a message dated 9/30/14 7 59 34, [2]cengles at cox.netwrites:

                   "I read somewhere in the last twelve months that there

   was a source for seventeen inch diameter  reproduction Pantera GT5S

   wheels.   A friend is now ready to make the change from the originals.

   Now, I can't seem to find nor Google the source or reference.  Anyone

   able to direct the search? "

   >>>Both Wilkinson and Pantera East offer them.   Wilkinson's are 17x10
   and 17x13 I believe, while Pantera East are 17x11 and 17x13?   That's
   from memory, could be off a bit.

   $$$$$$$$$   Good.

   Note that tire availability is becoming a problem!   In fact even
   though it's still pretty difficult, it's arguably easier to get 15-inch
   tires in the appropriate sizes (and the cars look infinitely better
   with the short 24-inch tires they were intended for, rather than the
   27-inch tires that the larger-diameter wheels restrict you to) than
   17-inch tires in the 'right' sizes.

   $$$$$$$$$   Tire availability is becoming the bane of many sports cars,
   it seems, whatever size one chooses!    In any event a reliable source
   tells me that a Michelin Pilot mounted to a seventeen inch GT5S repro
   measures 25.03" (!) diameter.  Perhaps not a short 24 inch diameter,
   but far better than a 27 inch diameter.  FWIW.

      Some people are going to 18-inch wheels, which IMHO makes the
   widebody cars look positively cartoonish.

     But if that's the look you're after, it's an available, albeit very
   expensive option.

   $$$$$$$  Ah, no thanks.

   Figure minimum $6-8K cost to transition away from the 15-inch wheels.

   $$$$$$  Yes, that would be about right.

      Makes even expensive 15-inch tires downright cheap by comparison...

   $$$$$$   You pays your money and makes your choice.....

                          Warmest regards,  Chuck Engles

   Mike

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