Updated Magnesium Halibrand thread

[bmwdb10]

Michael,

Take a look at mine. PM me your email address. I'll send you a better pic of what they look like now.

[K-Arts]

Hi there,

send me that treat :-)
PM on its way

thx,
Michael

[RodKnock]

I haven't contacted Halibrand recently, but I sincerely doubt they will be starting a production run any time soon in this economy.

[1985 CCX]

Mag Halibrands:

http://www.saac.com/index.php?option...id=8&Itemid=48

$3200 set.............

[RodKnock]

The seller originally started with 8 full sets of four (two front & two rear), all new and in their original boxes. Last time I checked with him, which was a couple months back, he had sold 2 or 3 sets.

[Larry N Johnson]

I sent an email asking of they are 6-pin or 5-pin?

[ERA Chas]

All originals are 6 pin.

[What'saCobra?]

Make sure, for sure, they are what you want.

Original genuine magnesium Halibrands in the Cobra pattern were only six pin as standard. Although you could special order wheels undrilled and have them drilled for five pin yourself or by another vendor, that was very rare since many pro-sporting and race cars were six pin. The "Cobra" design lends itself to six pins, of course. As you know, nearly all (i always try to remember to say "nearly" when i talk about "all" Cobras) "large" Cobras were six pin, except the splined "Jaguar style" hubs for the 289 street cars.

No doubt the 289 Sports with the 427 chassis may have been splines also, if ordered (or even standard).

So, be sure, for sure.

If they are NOT six-pin, that would be really unusual for Cobra Hali's, by my memory.

In the day, Hali also made 4 and 5 pin for other applications, McLaren, Lola, Indy car specials, etc, but not very likely with the "Cobra" design.

[Larry N Johnson]

They answered 6-pin.

I do have a set of Cobra II SC wheels that I got in 2002 direct from Halibrand that are drilled 5 pin.
10 holes for Ford, Chev, and Jag patterns.









The magnesium polished really nice but gets marks easily that don't polish clear out by hand.
I presently am running Vintage Wheels for easy maintenance.

Too many wheels...

[Larry N Johnson]

Presently the magnesium wheels have "Billboards" mounted.

[KevinW]

Larry, those wheels look fantastic.
the ones on the bare frame are the mag ones? are they much diferent in look/quality to your vintage wheels?

[Larry N Johnson]

Originally Posted by KevinW

Larry, those wheels look fantastic.
the ones on the bare frame are the mag ones? are they much diferent in look/quality to your vintage wheels?

1. Yes, the ones on the bare frame are the magnesium ones. They polish fantastic. I had them dome twice by professionals.

2. The Vintage look similar in that the spokes are similar color. The lips are more brushed as they are not polished (optional).
For comparison, here is an image of the Vintage Wheels rear:

[RodKnock]

The seller is selling real 6-pin Halibrand Cobra magnesium wheels which are brand new in the box. The seller owns a shop with a lot of high-end vintage and modern sportscars. I believe he's into vintage racing as well. The wheels were purchased from Halibrand approximately 5 years ago. I've seen them in person since his shop is about 10-15 minutes from me. And they're beautiful. As of a couple days ago, he has 4 sets left. He started with 8 sets.

[cobra de capell]

Be careful what you wish for - magnesium wheels are really difficult to maintain - I've ended up with a set of real Halibrands from the 1960's - polishing them is a continual chore.

[What'saCobra?]

They always were a PIA - prone to corrosion cracking with stress, leakage, ugly dermatitis and curb/alligator-teeth cracking. But, they are light. And expensive. Used to sell them used for $50 each. Bot new ones every other year as the main set of drys.

Almost gave the Kidney type away. Too narrow for the blue-streaks OR the Firestones. OK for wets.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by cobra de capell

Be careful what you wish for - magnesium wheels are really difficult to maintain - I've ended up with a set of real Halibrands from the 1960's - polishing them is a continual chore.

The magnesium used to make these 2003-2004 wheels has a different makeup than the wheels made in the 1960's and 1970's. They're stronger and and less prone to aging.

[cobra de capell]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

The magnesium used to make these 2003-2004 wheels has a different makeup than the wheels made in the 1960's and 1970's. They're stronger and and less prone to aging.

I'm thinking magnesium is magnesium, period. I'd compare having magnesium wheels with dealling with painted side pipes - a continual hassle to maintain. Now, I'll stay with my wheels until something happens down the road - I'm just saying that magnesium as a material is a hassle to maintain - just a warning to those that don't like to spend time doing that chore.

And yes, they are really light.

[Got the Bug]

The other option is to just let them age to a nice patina. I have no idea how long they would last if you don't touch them, but I imagine it would be a long time. Still hard to justify at $3,200, when only 1 out of 1000 people could ID the wheels as real magnesium.

[RodKnock]

One, obviously very wealthy, person bought the last four sets just in the past couple days.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

The other option is to just let them age to a nice patina. I have no idea how long they would last if you don't touch them, but I imagine it would be a long time. Still hard to justify at $3,200, when only 1 out of 1000 people could ID the wheels as real magnesium.

Darn, then I wasted all that money on the 482, when a 390 looks pretty much the same.

IMHO, it's just cool to have them. They patina and they're lighter. Oh well, I'll just have to wait until Halibrand starts making them again in a few months/years/decades.