"Halibrand Cobra II wheels in......MAGNESIUM

[fordracing65]

It was a $3000 dollar option on the Corvette in 1998, so the price seems right on with inflation and all...

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by fordracing65

It was a $3000 dollar option on the Corvette in 1998, so the price seems right on with inflation and all...

Fran is not GM and cannot negotiate the same deal as large multi-national corporation. And Fran would only produce 25 sets of wheels and that is a very small production run. Lastly, the wheel manufacturer needs to make a new mold, front and rear, since they no longer have or no longer can use Halibrand's old molds.

[fordracing65]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Fran is not GM and cannot negotiate the same deal as large multi-national corporation. And Fran would only produce 25 sets of wheels and that is a very small production run. Lastly, the wheel manufacturer needs to make a new mold, front and rear, since they no longer have or no longer can use Halibrand's old molds.

So I guess your not getting any wheels then, end of discussion.

[Tutosnake]

I understand how risky this Cobra business really is. As a newbie, lots of things have started to become clear to me. This is a big Club, yet the hobby is a small one. Therefore the market share or target audience is limited. To make money in this business is really hard.
Having said that, the person who wants to make a living out of doing business with such a small audience has to IMO take some big risks from time to time. It's inevitable. It's the nature of the beast. The whole idea of "let's see who puts money in my hand for a product that is yet to materialize and then take the risk of a faulty/incorrect end item and all the consequences/pains to remedy that, including losing the money" is to me too insensible. It is true Mr. Fran (I do not know him) is not GM or Halibrand or whatever, but if I were him and had some resources, I would produce the wheels and then offer them for sale. I for one would have much less problem/anxiety with buying a real/finished product for whatever the amount (it will be expensive regardless, and deservedly so). Plus, if sales were slow on this forum, I am sure more than one e-tailer would by his wheels. "If you build it, they will come". I might be completely wrong on all this BUT the only way I would consider paying $$$$ for the wheel is if I can see/touch one... BTW I just got my car a few months ago and already am working on buying a full set of FIA repros with tires as a second option/backup for my 427... But would have bought the mags if available.
Hector

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by fordracing65

So I guess your not getting any wheels then, end of discussion.

Yep, that's the running joke around here. So pretty much.

I'll continue to watch eBay and other forums for a set of mags, but getting a set of Halibrand mags is just immediately below getting a SOHC engine on the List of Unobtainium for my Kirkham.

[rodneym]

Rodknock,
If your wanting mags that bad, you can come over and clean mine.
I received them clean. Been about 3 months and they don't look so hot.
Some of the coating on the inside rim was peeling so I had them blasted and I 'PreKoted' them. Now I'm waiting for a warm enough day to coat them. Maybe this Sunday.
Then mount BB's.
Then my life will be complete.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by rodneym

Rodknock,
If your wanting mags that bad, you can come over and clean mine.
I received them clean. Been about 3 months and they don't look so hot.
Some of the coating on the inside rim was peeling so I had them blasted and I 'PreKoted' them. Now I'm waiting for a warm enough day to coat them.

Didn't I casually mention this (about 8000 times) in past??
What is 'PreKote' my friend? Gotta be careful what you use on them...

[rodneym]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

Didn't I casually mention this (about 8000 times) in past??
What is 'PreKote' my friend? Gotta be careful what you use on them...

As Maxwell Smart used to say, "...Aaaaaand, loving it".
Hey, it's all cool, it's cool. I'm just sayin.

Prekote is a 'safe' surface prep, a chromate substitute, mostly for painting ally planes and also for magnesium. It's 'environmentally friendly' and tastes pretty darn good after the third helping. Supposedly it has great adhesion qualities. Considering the epoxy flaked off, I figured I give this stuff a shot. If not, I'll give them to Rodknock (just to pizz off Patrickt). I coated the inside rim and they look as fresh as the day I had them blasted. I'll get them nice and toasty in the mid day sun and slap on a couple coats of aircraft enamel.

If anyone has a better idea on a coating, please chime in.
BTW, I was advised "no Plastisol" by the bead blaster. He's an old timer with lots of midget and dry lake/salt racer experience (when Hali's were EVERYWHERE). What was on there was epoxy and it didn't do so good. Maybe it's all in the prep.
Anything available over the counter?

[fordracing65]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Fran is not GM and cannot negotiate the same deal as large multi-national corporation. And Fran would only produce 25 sets of wheels and that is a very small production run. Lastly, the wheel manufacturer needs to make a new mold, front and rear, since they no longer have or no longer can use Halibrand's old molds.

These wheels are $1200 a wheel if I'm correct, ($4800) that's only a $1800 dollar increase over the wheel offered by GM in 1998 for the Vette, ($3000) that seems about right seeing that was 15 years ago for the GM wheel so the price seems spot on. And Fran cannot negotiate the same deal as a large-multi national corporation.

[fordracing65]

Does anyone think these wheels would patina like the originals did seeing they are made with new coatings and modern technologies?????

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by fordracing65

Does anyone think these wheels would patina like the originals did seeing they are made with new coatings and modern technologies?????

I believe this is Fran's manufacturing facility and was Halibrand's when they were making the wheels.

The M & A Castings Advantage

I'm betting they don't patina as quickly as prior iterations.

Fran will require a 50% deposit and I forgot to mention that the outer rim or lips will be polished per my conversation with Fran.