Halibrand Magnesium 427 Wheels

[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.

[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.