Watanabe wheels

[v12horse]

Yuppie, you really have a grudge against Watanabe wheels. Well I am sorry, but a lot of us like these wheels. They are the mags for the Z of Japan. The great thing about these wheels that make them so correct for the period and for a Z is that the 14" Watanabe's with various widthes were on the sports parts option list offered by Nissan.

Take care,

Ben

P.S. I am never going to post again so I can keep this post number forever. HeheheheLOL LOL. In the future people will not get this so, 432 baby!!!

[yuppie69]

Okay, so a lot of you Japanese wat-na-be's like the wheels....since you promised you won't post, let me just tell you that, being from the wrong end of Z history (just bought my first, an 83 280ZXT), the first thing I saw, and very nearly the only thing in 16" for my car in stock (read=NO spacers!) is the Panasport. I nearly died, as I thought, jeesh, now a Z car can look like a Mini Cooper classic, a car I talked myself out of for the Z! So what? Well, if so many of the folks on this list wanted to do justice to the "old school Japan" wheels, why isn't there a trademark backlash against Panasport? In fact, you can go to any East Coast Z car show and see all the Panasports all lined up! Maybe that's out of love for their styling, but I say it's disappointing. I'd buy a set of Star Sharks, SSR reverse mesh, Cherry Blossoms or even classic American aluminum oval five hole rims in a minute if they came in 16's, but alas, they're all 14, which is really tire-ing!

Cheers

John-probably going with Compomotive 16's..either mesh or HB's with spinners (as seen on UK Cobras).

[v12horse]

There are not many old jdm wheel options in 16 inch as you mentioned. hehehe, your best bet for 16 inch jdm wheels with no spacers would be watanabe's. I know you are not into those, but maybe you will like these photos. I really like the flower wheels, ssr reverse mesh too. You would have a better chance if you went for a 15 inch.

I am glad there are people like you and me and many of the people on this forum that like jdm wheels. Even if it is not a option part, they are still awesome and true to the cars for period correctness and cooool factor. However, I am not saying that there is anything wrong with american wheels or their period correctness. The mags on my car now are american and they are right from the dealer in 1974. It doesnt get much more period correct than that. They look good too!! MHO

Anyways, I hope this helps Yuppie. You got to admit that these s130's look pretty good sporting the Watanabe's.

Regards,

Ben

p.s. awe, no more 432:cry:

[v12horse]

s130 with 16 inch wats. I can't attach pictures for some reason. Go to this site and scroll to s130.

http://www.rs-watanabe.co.jp/index2.htm

[v12horse]

This comp is being screwy... here is the pic. How do I delete posts? I checked the little box and then I click delete, but it says that I do not have permission to do this.

[daddz]

Yuppie69,

I may have already posted this link but, if for no ther reason but inspiration check these Z cars out:

http://www.s130.net

BTW,

I ended up buying those 16in. Epsilon wheels from San Diego, Ca. The springs are made by Quickor and the struts are Bilstein units. I have no use for the springs and struts and will be posting an ad in the for sale section soon. IN April I hope to have completed the purchase of an '81 280ZX "Blackout Edition"--this is my nickname for the car as it is a special edition but nowhere is there any official documentation from Nissan available. The cars were painted a charcoal gray with blacked out window trim and equipped with roll up windows and no power steering. It also has the tall backed bucket seats (pre-81 style). Here are pics of the car:

http://www.zcarclubnova.org/events/events1999/zcc_show99.html

It is the seventh car up from the bottom on the left hand side. I might sell the wheels off of the car?

[s30]

I remember there was a post about a place in LA that you get them, but when I did the search on 411, they send me to the wrong place. Does anyone know where I can get a set of 16x9 and 16x9.5??? I'm in CA and really want a set. I even try emailing watanabe japan, but they didn't reply.

Thanks for you help in advance guys.

sam.