Can Shelby wheels be located or repaired?

[mikemeade]

I have been slowly going through my new acquisition, and I finally found the key for the wheel lock on my 240Z. I was curious who the manufacturer was for the wheels on the car.

I pulled one wheel off and found that there was shelby printed on the back side! I didn't even know that Shelby made wheels. I just figured that the cobra caps were kinda hokey. I guess that it is much cooler now that I know that they actually go with the wheels.

So, as you can see in the picture above, the rim is broken, even though the tire still holds air. If I could, I would like to find a spare for this one wheel. Are they out there? Is there a good source? Should I just look for new wheels all together?

Thanks,

Mike

[theianmonster]

Very popular wheel around us Z guys, shouldn't be hard to do either!

[=Enigma=]

It may be easier to take it to a good welder and have it repaired.

[KenshinX]

Aww... I want me a pair of those libras to bad my car isnt a 1st or 2nd gen

[sblake01]

Aww... I want me a pair of those libras to bad my car isnt a 1st or 2nd gen

Why? They'll still fit your 260. And the "Libra" (might even be "Libre"-not sure of the spelling) was made by American Racing Equipment. The Shelby is more or less a cheaper copy. I had Libras on my 510.

[Victor Laury]

I good TIG welder will fill the void. Then grind it to shape. Once polished out you wont be able to find the repair site.

Many companies made copies of the AR Libra. Western and Shelby were the 2 biggest.

[KenshinX]

You're right Sblake01 its "libre" typo on my part. I wonder if there any good sets on ebay I've got 200 extra dollars

[Arne]

A good set of Libres will go for more than your $200 on eBay - closer to $400, I'd guess.

Shelby (as a wheel manufacturer) is no longer in business. There were several companies that made that style wheel, all copies of the original American Racing Libre. They are all similar, but a different brand may not match your Shelbys exactly. Your best bet is to have that one repaired, as noted above.

[240jetjoc]

Hi Mike -

There is an excellent wheel repair shop in Beaverton. I've seen their work and it is top notch. You won't be able to see the repair when they're done. Cost will be about $150.00 or a little more, but that will be for a completely restored wheel. Give Skip's Wheelwerks a call - 503-641-8001. Their web site is www.SkipsWheelWerks.com

[Go240Zags]

I've always liked the look on Zs and thought it would be nice if someone started making these in 15x7. Too much to hope for I guess -- but good to see you can get the slotted mags in larger sizes now. Like the Libres a lot better though.

[Zup]

My favorite rim of all time for an early 240Z.

Someday I may have to get a set of authentic ARE Libres---a guy can dream---yeah

I have a set of "Libre" knock-off made by "US TRANS AM". :classic:

They were another one of the copycat manufacturers of these rims as mentioned before.

It took me a while to realize that the Z centercap wasn't original to these rims. :stupid:

A PO had taken 300ZX centercaps and whittled them down ever so slightly so that they would press fit into the centerhole. Pretty clever I think!

When a local tireshop lost one of them during a tire mounting and balancing fiasco, I got pretty upset. They never did find the damn thing! :hurt:

I wound up posting here in the Classifieds section for anyone who might part with a set and got my wish-----whittled it down with a sharp exact-o knife.

I've since bought another nicer set.

Tomorrow I'll post up a pic of another Shelby rim I like that is pretty "ole skool"!!

Good thread!

Jim D.

"Zup"

[moonpup]

Nice wheels, I've always liked those myself.

Next time you have them balanced, you might want to have them put the weights on the inside of the rims. Looks better and easier to wash!