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Post by Peter Seager-Thomas on Feb 28, 2014 16:27:06 GMT -5
Alfa Romeo 12C36 wheels.
The correct wheels for this car are complex in their construction, so only a few sets of these will be made. It is thus proposed to make some alternatives.
Originally this car was fitted with 18” x 72 spoke front wheels and it is believed, 84 spoke x 18” or 19” rear wheels, both cross laced.
The proposed options are thus.
Simple option. 18” x 72 spoke centre laced all round with 4.5mm front and 5.5mm rims.
Middle option. As above but 18” or 19” x 84 spoke rears.
Top option. As above but with side laced outer spokes (as per late P3).
In order to try and get this project back to a ‘hobby’ level, numbers of all future wheels will be increasingly reduced.
Peter.
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Post by Peter Seager-Thomas on Mar 2, 2014 15:15:43 GMT -5
Due to supply problems no wheels are at present available. Supplies of the following wheels will be limited as they become available.
Auto Union 'C' Type. The correct 19" wheels for this should be available by mid-March. 50 sets only Alfa Romeo 12C36. A wheel similar to those fitted to restored 8C35/12C36 will be available by mid March. Specs will vary slightly. perhaps 30 sets Mercedes W125/W154 as previous issues. 60 sets.
Some may be repeated later this year.
Bugatti T59. Probably available early summer, limited to probably just 25 sets.
Peter.
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Post by Peter Seager-Thomas on Apr 7, 2014 13:50:26 GMT -5
With the arrival today of a package full of basic wheel parts, the at the is now working overtime and it is hoped that by next week, a few wheels will be once more available. Top priority is Auto Union, followed by Alfa Romeo and further Mercedes and MG K3.
By the months end it is hoped that most 19" sets are again available, with just a few 18" varieties.
Peter.
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Post by Peter Seager-Thomas on Apr 10, 2014 13:36:27 GMT -5
Sorry, Mercedes already sold out. Again.
Peter.
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Post by Peter Seager-Thomas on Apr 15, 2014 15:28:39 GMT -5
K3 also run out. I likely re-run at some time in the future, as with the Mercedes.
Peter.
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Post by Peter Seager-Thomas on Apr 18, 2014 11:42:39 GMT -5
Due to continuing problems with sub-contracted parts the complete wheel project is regrettably to be wound down. The recent large order means that several wheels of 18" and 19" sizes will continue to be available for a while yet.
Peter.
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Post by Peter Seager-Thomas on May 9, 2014 17:19:24 GMT -5
After a big sort out and lots of catching up a few wheels are again being made. Kits should be available again in a week or so.
The last batch of Auto Union wheels, 33 sets projected, at least 25 sets already spoken for. The proposed Hillclimb wheels will not now be made due to insufficient interest.
Alfetta 158. The 60 spoke Borrani made for these is again available, 18" all round of with 17" rears as an option whilst stocks last.
Alfa 12C. A Borrani 84 spoke as fitted to later cars and also seen on one of the 8C/12C cars today. 18" all round with option of 19" rear. Limited but may be repeated.
Mercedes W125/W154/W163, a few sets with large rear wheels. A further small batch is likely but only with 19" all round.
Bugatti wheels postponed.
Peter.
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Post by Peter Seager-Thomas on May 21, 2014 16:31:22 GMT -5
Mercedes. Confirmation that GT is working on the W125 Mercedes means that the last batch of Mercedes wheels will now be made. Numbers will be limited, but as a wheel which has always sold, limited will probably mean 50 sets.
Auto Union wheels are now sold out. The time taken in making these means they are unlikely to be made again.
Alfa Romeo. The last Alfa wheels are now coming through, the range expanded a little. 20 sets of centre laced wheels are now available, as fitted to the 8C/12C later in their careers. 18" all round As above with 19" rears.
A small number of the early Aston Martin/SS Jaguar wheel sets are being released.
Peter.
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Post by Peter Seager-Thomas on May 28, 2014 15:43:44 GMT -5
I'm afraid the situation regarding machined parts has gone from bad to worse after the latest order made was accompanied by a note pointing out recent errors in manufacture. This latest order has not been accepted.
Further efforts will again be made to find another machinist to at least make parts to complete the present incomplete kits. I expect a considerable price increase, such that further complete kits will no longer be viable.
The situation thus exists that only 18" wheels are at present available.
If no suitable machinist is found;
No further Mercedes or Auto Union wheels will be available, indeed it is likely that no wide (5.5mm) 19" wheels will be available.
A last batch of K3 wheels may be made at increased cost.
With no replacement 19" rims being made, no further dedicated spoke etches will be made to suit, so the choice will become limited.
18" sizes will continue at normal prices for the time being, though components will I guess start running out in a month or so and thus alternative parts must be sourced and again the price of these wheels will increase.
Due to use of parts and/or time, no 'special' wheels will be made until the situation can be fully assessed.
Those considering purchase of Alfa 12C or Alfetta wheels are advised to make their purchases early before the inevitable price rise.
As a natural optimist, it is naturally my hope that a new supplier may be found with parts at a fair price, and the situation will then take an about turn.
Peter.
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Post by Peter Seager-Thomas on May 30, 2014 14:07:45 GMT -5
Efforts to find machined parts at low cost have come to nought, with quoted prices being a minimum of 300% higher than those paid previously. Too high a cost to produce kits, though some parts will be bought in order to complete wheel kits. The increased cost will be reflected in the selling price.
A member of this forum is looking into a part/full take-over of the project, good news for some as the interest is in later wheels as used by some of the earlier cars favoured by this forum.
If progress comes to nought, then once most stocks are depleted, i'll be asking Chris to delete this board.
Maybe now I'll get a few cars built!
Peter.
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Post by Peter Seager-Thomas on Jun 5, 2014 15:27:54 GMT -5
Things are now winding down, not quite expected.
K3 wheels are now history, no more spokes, no more rims.
One reason for the above is that whilst going through all the parts, a number of wide rear wheels were found. Several kits will therefore be made up for the forthcoming GTM W125 Mercedes. The catch is that I have had to find an alternative source of both hubs and spacers, the result being a price increase to £32.50 per kit. These kits will be the last, an estimated 15 sets will be made then that is the 19" wheels finished.
18" wheels are still in limbo, though prices have not yet increased because no new parts have been required; a situation expected to remain for the next month or so.
Apart from the parts bought in at a drastic price increase, many other parts are being made 'in-house' in order to complete existing kits.
As the project reaches its conclusion, supply will therefore slow down somewhat.
Peter.
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Post by Peter Seager-Thomas on Jun 22, 2014 15:06:16 GMT -5
Supply of all wheels except for those already on order is now regrettably suspended.
Peter.
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Post by Peter Seager-Thomas on Jul 28, 2014 11:20:48 GMT -5
With the remaining original parts now sorted out, and the 'new' hubs now made, a few last issues are to be released over the next month or so. Here are some of them, numbers available as yet undetermined.
Mercedes W125, W154 and W154/163 £32.50 19" wheels all round, 28 outer spokes, 56 inner. Brake drum etches supplied FoC for W154/163.
Auto Union D Type £30.50 19" wheels all round, 28 outer spokes, 42 inner. No wheel nuts supplied, use for Revell/AMT kit.
Alfa Romeo 8C/35 and 12C36 (later form) £30.50 18" wheels all round, 28 outer, 28 middle and 28 inner. All centre laced.
Alfa Romeo 8C35 and 12C36 (as original) £34.50 18" fronts, 18" or 19" rears. Fronts 72 spoke, 24/24/24, cross laced outer/middle. Rears 18" or 19", 84 spoke 28/28/28, cross laced outer/middle. High skill rate needed.
Alfa Romeo Alfetta £30.50 18" fronts, 18" or 17" rears. 60 spoke, 20 outer, 20 middle, 20 inner. All centre laced.
To date four enthusiastic individuals have looked into continuing manufacture of at least some wheels, but as expected, part costs exceed the present selling prices by 50% or more.
Peter.
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Post by Peter Seager-Thomas on Aug 31, 2014 14:25:26 GMT -5
With no-one finding it worthwhile taking over production, supply of all 'regular' wheels will soon come to an end. Mercedes and Auto Union wheels are no longer available. Alfa Romeo 8C/35 and 12C36 (later form) are still in stock, £30.50 18" wheels all round, 28 outer, 28 middle and 28 inner. All centre laced. Alfa Romeo Alfetta wheels are still in stock, £30.50 18" fronts, 18" or 17" rears. 60 spoke, 20 outer, 20 middle, 20 inner. All centre laced. Much interest was shown in the Auto Union 'twin' hillclimb wheels once the project started winding down. I'll be making some sets for my own use and will if requested make further sets, though the estimated price of £50 per set will put most folks off. I'll be starting in October at the latest and once the materials are ordered, no further wheel orders will be accepted. Peter.
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Post by Peter Seager-Thomas on Sept 20, 2014 12:25:57 GMT -5
The Auto Union hillclimb wheels are spoken for. Here's the last of the cheap wheels. Costs for the remaining wheels to be sold have gone up £6.00 for every set, so this is being passed on. These are hybrid wheels. A scale 17" diameter with 84 spokes. they can be supplied with either 2 or three ear nuts. Rudge nuts are no longer an option. These wheel kits are £24 each plus postage. 4 kits remain. Efforts to find an alternative machine shop to do the work at a viable rate have come to nought. Peter.
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