They will be original spec unless you adjust them to your specific needs. You should take your wheels off and measure if you have any concerns.

Fran's last post in November 2010:

"Yes to the Dow 7 question!
Working on getting EXACT backspacing measurements...
I hope to have them in the next day or two.
I have the pictures on my camera - just the camera isnt near me at the moment...

Fran"

Can he post more info?

Maybe Rodney can help me out. They should be original spec.

Well, it sure seems like things are shaping up for plan B. :o

As far as I understand, we have Trigos on our Kirkhams and Trigos are per original.

I'll call David Kirkham tomorrow. He'll know for sure.

Also, I emailed Richard yesterday with a sense of urgency. No response.

From Trigo's website:

TRIGO's 427 Cobra wheels are the same as the original 427 Cobra wheels and are intended for use on original or replica Cobras requiring a 6-pin configuration.
They are available in stock Cobra sizes:
Front, 7 1/2" x 15, 2.750 backspace | Rear, 9 1/2" x 15, 3.650 backspace

David

I called David Kirkham just now.
The Trigos on Kirkhams are standard backspacing per original 427's.

I'll call Richard at Halibrand and tell him how things are shaping up.
I think he deserves to know. Someday he'll run them and eventually sell them all. But it's not easy paying taxes on stock that's collecting dust :CRY:

A. How many on our list will buy Fran's wheels?

B. How many will wait for Halibrand?

C. How many would buy from Fran now AND buy from Halibrand (eventually)?

Personally, I think I'm on the A list and heavily leaning towards C. Either way, mags are in my future.

Anyone else?

Ok, I just got off the phone with Richard @ Halibrand. I told how things are shaping up. He has been emailed the link to this thread in the past and knows all this information is out in the open.
He understands that we are enthusiasts, first. He mentioned a bit of remorse for letting this go too long (not just this mag run, but mag runs in general).
He is confident that he will run them and will sell them all, no matter what happens to our/his list. I personally believe him on this. They'll get made eventually and he'll sell them all in time. This is speculation but the outlay of cash is more than likely his biggest hurdle (duh).
Richard and I will remain in contact and when he has news, I will update this thread and will do so until the end.
I also asked him about the finishing. Dow 7 is a temporary chemical 'pickling'. That's why they will eventually turn if left alone. So, the wheels get Dow 7 for (temporary treatment-the original way) pickling, then powdercoat the centers. This new chemical he has mentioned is in addition to all this. It stabilizes the magnesium and keeps the appearance of 'NEW' wheels, like it or not. And he'll certainly leave it off if you like.

Now, for the big question: Are you going with Fran, staying with Halibrand or both (there's been mention of multiple sets from people)?

I know this thread is getting TIRED (no pun intended)....but I'll put myself on the list for both. Anyone else on the list who wants to share publicly?

A. When?

B. Well this thread is certainly not as entertaining as the "Let's kill the guy (or give him a limp by shooting him/her in the knee) who enters my garage uninvited" thread. That's a really good thread.

Guys,

I don't have a dog in this hunt but wanted to throw out a suggestion/question.

Has anyone approached the Kirkhams about making these wheels with their connections over in Poland? Kirkham most certainty has the CAD expertise to draw up the wheels in SolidWorks and run a full FEA on them to make sure they are optimized for weight and strength. From there is is just a matter of sourcing a magnesium caster, or better yet forging place to make the wheels.

When I was with Ford's SVT group we were looking at some magnesium forged wheels from somewhere in the Soviet Union. The US government had a program where they were subsidizing the development and manufacturing costs in order to keep these magnesium forging plants in business making car parts instead of fighter plane and missile/rocket parts.

If anyone can pull this off, and improve on the design it would be the Kirkhams. With their Polish connections I'm sure they could find someone to make them.

Just a thought/suggestion.................always worth a call.

Depends on who does the casting. If he goes with a new company, there will be an additional 6 weeks for tooling.:CRY: Don't ask me why. I don't know how this business works. In my business we use CFM tooling maybe 50% of the time.

Another couple weeks for pricing (maybe more), possibly 6 weeks for the new tooling, then his process.

Richard did say that Fran's run won't discourage him or delay his run. Before people start interpreting that statement, I just want to note that is what he said.

I'm feeling so sorry for you guys that I even quit throwing rocks at you in this thread.:cool:

Funny you should mention that...
When I talked to David about the backspacing he asked about the current price. I could only give him the last price and how they have been speculated to be more. I thought I could hear some gears turning :LOL: Maybe to buy some sets, maybe...%/

Who knows?

I've been wondering where you've been. I felt like Batman when the Joker is in jail...:p

Someday, patrickt, SOMEDAY I'll be neck high in magnesium wheels !!!

Yeah, yeah, yeah.... I fully expected to read a post saying "he says he just got the factory set up in Cairo last weekend, along with all the tools and machinery being delivered, and now this happens...."

Would Fran's be made by M&A? If so, count me in for a set.

In the past when we've corresponded or spoken, he's used M&A. In fact, when I spoke with M&A some time ago, they confirmed that they've made Fran's wheels in the past.

I think Lew's question is an excellent question. Can we confirm that he would use M&A?

Also, will the wheels have the Dow coating AND the powdercoating like Halibrand was speaking of?

Patrick, the factory is actually in Tunisia, so I think we're OK there.

It's been noted many times that Fran uses M&A.
I'm gonna call Fran soon. I'll ask a bunch of questions and post what he is comfortable with being public.

I just spoke with Fran Kress.

He uses Dow 7.
He will run the sets with or without powdercoated centers. The lips will be machined for the gold center/machined lip look. Or he can coat the whole wheel in powder.
Any backspacing.

So, Fran is very flexible with the wheels and has a loyal following of customers who speak his praises. And if you've been to some SAAC events, you've seen him.

Now for the pill.
The wheels are $1,100 OUCH. Whoops, I meant EACH.
Expensive? Yes. Reliable source? Yes.
Shipping is estimated at $30 EA, UPS.
Fran needs a 50% deposit to start.
He would like to run 50 sets. :eek:
If you want a set, call him. 412-441-5750.
He intends to collect deposits before having a firm manufacturing date. Just so you know.
3 month lead time.

Are we ANY better off than we were before this thread? :LOL:
I'm willing to take my lumps if anyone feels like throwing stones.;)

Nope, I'm just gonna let it slide.:cool:

"The wheels are $4,100 OUCH. Whoops, I meant EACH."

$16,400 per set of 4?