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Car Forum / Antique and Collectibles / Studebaker / September 2007Avanti mag wheels, followup
Thanks to those here who offered tech advice, today I finally had American Racing imitation Halibrand (TorqThrust D) wheels, and Firestone PV41 tires, mounted. Took about a month. They look right, and SEEM to clear OK in hard cornering (min. clearance to anything is about 1-1/4" static, sitting on wheels). They fill the wheel wells nicely, the real purpose of Avanti tires. To get a diameter match for the 215/75's I was replacing, I went to 225/70, which is right on the edge for the 15x6 wheel. But the 215's were probably over the edge for the stock wheel, and I got by fine on those. Did anyone happen to know where American Racing Products are made? Because, after reading several paper catalogs and ten or so web listings, I did not. Never thought to ask. They are made in China. CHINA. Little paper sticker on the inside of the wheel (where you can't see it with the tire mounted), nothing on the box, no info from manufacturer. Not even an "imported" note. Had I not been out in the shop interfering, I'd have never known. WHY do we not buy from the current Halibrand company? Because they're cheap Chinese knockoffs, that's why. (Speaking of knockoffs, apparently those 3-corner spinners are NLA for the new screw pattern). I'm hoping against hope that they really mean Taiwan (trade regulations state Taiwan must call itself China) because, on high dollar items, Taiwan's QC is pretty good. But I certainly would never have committed to $175 each had I known. I will now never feel good about those wheels. I'll never brag about them, never show them off, never experience any pride of ownership. And never buy from "American" again. Also blew a long-term relationship with Tire Rack in the process. I wish I'd left my $1400 in my pocket. Big surprise: the Firestones are USA. These must be the only V-rated Firebridgestones not made in Japan. On Sep 18, 4:26?pm, "Coma...@bex.net" <coma...@buckeye-express.com> wrote: > Thanks to those here who offered tech advice, today I finally had American > Racing imitation Halibrand (TorqThrust D) wheels, and Firestone PV41 tires, [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > Big surprise: the Firestones are USA. These must be the only V-rated > Firebridgestones not made in Japan. I saw a piece on the news a few weeks ago about a family that successfully survived for a while (I can't remember the length of time, but it was substantial) without buying anything from China. They actually were successful, but the wife admitted it was very difficult. Joe Roberts I've had no problem with the Torque Thrust D's from China and yes it's the big China. > Thanks to those here who offered tech advice, today I finally had American > Racing imitation Halibrand (TorqThrust D) wheels, and Firestone PV41 tires, [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > Big surprise: the Firestones are USA. These must be the only V-rated > Firebridgestones not made in Japan.  SignatureJP/Maryland Studebaker On the Net http://stude.com My Ebay items:http://www.stude.com/EBAY/ 63 R2 4 speed GT Hawk 63 Lark 2 door 62 Lark 2 door 60 Hawk 58 Scotsman 53 Starliner 52 Starliner 51 Commander 39 Coupe Express 39 Coupe Express (body) Just so you know, Richard LeJeurne (owner of Halibrand in Wellington, KS) - has moved production out of the country (Japan & Mexico). So there are no American Halibrands anymore. > Just so you know, Richard LeJeurne (owner of Halibrand in Wellington, > KS) - has moved production out of the country (Japan & Mexico). > So there are no American Halibrands anymore. _______________ Yes, I know. I mentioned that. I have given up on "real" Halibrands, based on complaints about quality. There are US-made wheels available in other sizes and styles, just none (I could find) that were appropriate for this car. They are in the same price range, Mr. Aaaaaaaanderuuuud. You know that. When there's a demonstrated need for cheaper products (and we seem to demonstrate that need daily), and there's no way to make that product in the local market, imported goods are one solution. I was not shopping price, and this is not a cheaper product. It sells for more than it did when it was made here, recently. No part of the difference came to the customer. It went to a clever fellow who is trading on the reputation of an established brand. I'd have no complaint if they were up-front about it. I sometimes buy things from Italy or France or Korea or Japan. But I want to KNOW what I'm buying. I think a note in the catalog, or at least a caption on the package, is not too much to ask. The information is not available. This company is trying to conceal what they are doing. I'm perfectly willing to bitch about that. > Thanks to those here who offered tech advice, today I finally had American > Racing imitation Halibrand (TorqThrust D) wheels, and Firestone PV41 [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > which is right on the edge for the 15x6 wheel. But the 215's were probably > over the edge for the stock wheel, and I got by fine on those. <RANTING SNIPPED> First it's bitching about Japanese made products, now it's Chinese made products... what next Germany, Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Iraq,"YEAAAAAAHHHH" (in my best Howard Dean imitation). While bitching, we might as well throw in every third world country that owns a sewing machine. If those rims were made in the US instead of China they'd be $575 each rather than $175 each and then we'd be reading bitching about how much they cost and how we could get them cheaper if someone overseas made them. Lee Lee, you should be glad you were not standing on the dock during the "Boston Tea Party". You may have made a footnote in the history books. >> Thanks to those here who offered tech advice, today I finally had >> American [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > Lee Yeah... my family didn't arrive until the 1880's. Lee > Lee, you should be glad you were not standing on the dock during the > "Boston Tea Party". You may have made a footnote in the history books. [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] >> >> Lee >>Yeah... my family didn't arrive until the 1880's. >> >>Lee Well Lee what was the cause of the delay...?? I know some airports can take hours to get through security so I guess the old ships are even worst with the waiting and checking your papers,getting in line for the bathroom,etc...<g> Lansing >>> Lee, you should be glad you were not standing on the dock during the >>> "Boston Tea Party". You may have made a footnote in the history books. snipped>>> To e-mail me remove the X from my E - address... >>>Yeah... my family didn't arrive until the 1880's. >>> [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Lansing I guess there was no reason until then to leave Norway... then they heard about North Dakota and jumped on the first boat available. Lee SignaturePosted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com Might as well get used to it. Most of our manufacturing and jobs are being sent overseas. I heard that we cannot even build a complete fighter airplane without some parts from China. It all part of the war on the middle class and the sell out of our government to the multinational corporations. > Thanks to those here who offered tech advice, today I finally had American > Racing imitation Halibrand (TorqThrust D) wheels, and Firestone PV41 [quoted text clipped - 38 lines] > Big surprise: the Firestones are USA. These must be the only V-rated > Firebridgestones not made in Japan. |
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