Halibrand Magnesium 427 Wheels

[rodneym]

Originally Posted by DougD

My money's on Fran.

Does Fran own tooling?

Fran's thread lost steam. Anyone know what happened?

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I'd bet that Halibrand's answer will be that it's still out to bid on the manufacturing of wheels. Finding and using the lowest bidder always makes me worry a little.

Speculation...

[ERA Chas]

You guys are clearly in violation of the "Two Rod Rule".

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

Speculation...

Nothing better to do. As has been mentioned before, I've been waiting for 3+ years now.

[Cobra Pack]

Hey Guys -

I have been innocently watching this thread for a while. If you want a sure deal of getting mag 427 wheels, you need to talk to Fran Kress. Fran has been using M&A to cast mag FIA wheels, T44 transaxle cases, turbine wheels, and intake manifolds for the GT 40 MKIV continuation cars, etc. etc. Fran does have the molds for 427 wheels.

I just test fitted a set of his mag kidney bean wheels on my Kirkham LeMans Replica and the wheels are just awesome. These wheels are from his CSX2375 car and are 6.5" front and 9.0" rear. His rear flares are larger on his car, so the rears are a little on the large side for mine, but you get the idea. He is also doing 7.5" and 8.5". His next run of wheels which he wants to start immediately will have 6.5" fronts and 7.5" rears in the run for my car.

Fran is not an internet guys, which is probably why the last thread died. I would highly encourage you to call him at 412-441-5750 or email him at kresscobra at gmail dot com (I have his permission to include this info on the thread) if you have legit interest in buying a set of 427, Kidney Bean or FIA wheels in mag.

PS - I know my car is sitting too high in the picture. You have to drive a leafspring car a few miles for the springs to re-settle after you jack them up

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by Cobra Pack

Hey Guys -
I just test fitted a set of his mag kidney bean wheels on my Kirkham LeMans Replica and the wheels are just awesome.

Mike, can you elaborate on 'awesome'? Do you mean they're nicely machined, fit the pins perfectly, have no pits or flaws and balance without undo weight? Can you share what they weigh? This info can help some of the shoppers here.

[RodKnock]

Mike, I've spoken to Fran on the phone a couple times and I've emailed him a couple times, over the past couple years. I'm willing to purchase his wheels, but at this point, to the best of my knowledge no wheels have been produced by either Halibrand or Fran.

It's essentially first come first served. Halibrand has my name and contact info and Fran has my name and contact info.

[rodneym]

Interesting turn of events.

I've heard from a few sources than Fran is "the man" but his thread lost steam, including posting a picture which never materialized.

Fran said mags would be made first quarter of this year. People mentioned Halibrand's years old list, so I called. Richard said HE was just about ready to make mags.....the first quarter of this year. Hmmm. Fran uses M&A. Halibrand uses M&A. First quarter of 2011. Coincidence? Halibrand is a brick and mortar business and I (and others) felt like Halibrand was the choice if all things were the same.

Needless to say, the one who makes the wheels first (or takes deposits first) will get the lion's share of the business. Some of us have waited YEARS.

[Cobra Pack]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

Mike, can you elaborate on 'awesome'? Do you mean they're nicely machined, fit the pins perfectly, have no pits or flaws and balance without undo weight? Can you share what they weigh? This info can help some of the shoppers here.

All of the above. The wheels are very high quality, very authentic, fit over the pins/hubs. The wheels are very light. I am traveling, but can weigh by aluminum vs. mag wheels. There is no comparison weight wise. Best of all, they hold air (are not poreous).

[Cobra Pack]

Fran is not involved with Halibrand. I have no financial interest in touting Fran's wheel. I have seen the pain you have all faced over the past couple of years trying to get these wheels and Fran is making mag wheels all the time. I also know he is about to kick off another run of various wheels. He went through the effort of having 4 different sizes of kidney beans. Clearly the market is much broader for 427 wheels. Just my 2 cents.....

[rodneym]

Originally Posted by Cobra Pack

Fran is not involved with Halibrand.

I didn't mean to imply that they were working together.
I was just trying making a point in a round about way that perhaps the chatter of Fran making mags....may have gotten Halibrand to finally make a move.

[RodKnock]

[quote=Cobra Pack;1106619I have seen the pain you have all faced over the past couple of years trying to get these wheels and Fran is making mag wheels all the time. I also know he is about to kick off another run of various[/QUOTE]

I originally contacted Fran regarding the magnesium wheels around April 2009. So he hasn't gotten the wheels that I want into production in almost two years. I do know that Fran had some health issues. I've waited for Halibrand to make them for three years.

No disrespect to either Fran or Halibrand, but I'm not holding my breath for a set of magnesium wheels to be made by either of them. And I'm OK with that because my Trigos do the job for time being.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by Cobra Pack

All of the above. The wheels are very high quality, very authentic, fit over the pins/hubs. The wheels are very light. I am traveling, but can weigh by aluminum vs. mag wheels. There is no comparison weight wise. Best of all, they hold air (are not poreous).

Mike

Thanks for a reply. I will assume yours balanced easily with minimum weight...

[601HP]

Kinda sounds like I'll still be sporting Trigos in February 2012, and there will be 737 posts in this thread.

David

[rodneym]

I'll email Richard again.
He answers the phone every time I call but I like to give him space and answer in his own time.
I'll try again.

[RodKnock]

If we weren't about 25 customers banging down his door, but maybe 500-1,000 sales, then things might be different.

The profit on a run of 25 sets of wheels can't be much to make anyone move in a hurry in this climate, though improving if you listen to the news.

[Cobra Pack]

The wheel are easy to balance. It was done with minimal use of the sticker style weights.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by Cobra Pack

The wheel are easy to balance. It was done with minimal use of the sticker style weights.

Mike

Thanks Mike that's important.

[Cobra Pack]

Not sure how I got in the mix here, but oh well. Here is the deal. Fran does not use computers, in fact I don't even know if he owns one. He had someone post on his behalf on the original post. He is well aware of the interest however.

When I talked to him today, he confirmed that he does have the molds already. He is ready to start as soon as people call him to confirm their interest and let them him know backspace needs etc.

If everyone calls him within the next couple of day, the run of wheel will start ASAP. He's ready to roll. It sounds like there will be some flexibility in backspace.

Again, his number is 412-441-5750

Thanks

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Cobra Pack

When I talked to him today, he confirmed that he does have the molds already. He is ready to start as soon as people call him to confirm their interest and let them him know backspace needs etc.

What is the backspace needed to fit a Kirkham?