Opinions on the Wheel Vintiques Rallye Wheels from Summit

Does anyone have the Wheel Vintiques rallye wheels on their car? How do you like them? Is the finish correct right out of the box or will they need to be repainted?

How about the trim rings and center caps? Quality and finish? Same rings and center caps as the major suppliers sell?

Thanks!

Why not real wheels? They are still out there.

They definitely need repainted out the box, they are too gray looking. Center caps are too dark for 71's but I think the 70's look alright. Trim rings are nice but you have to watch for little dings and shipping damage right out of the box. For sure inspect them before purchasing. Good quality all around. I have a gotten a few sets over the years.

Summit also sells a rallye made by US Wheel. Not sure if better or worse than the Wheel Vintiques though. The US Wheel made ones are a little less expensive.

Cost. I can get a set of 4 rims, trim rings and center caps for less than the cost of a set of original rims only (that still need restoration). I'm talking about the 15x7 rims here.

I've purchased many sets of Wheel Vintiques rims, GM and Mopar, and Ford without any issues, the Mopar Rallyes will need to be repainted as they just don't have the powdercoat color down after all these years, just paint over the powdercoat, no need to strip it off, as it adds a layer of rust prevention, the trim rings are very close to the originals, you'd be hard pressed to notice the differences, the 70 centers are "correct" looking in appearance...now is the time to go to 15X8's, the gap difference is not that noticeable between the trim ring and the wheel


here's the 15X8 with 15X7 trim ring (above) and the 15X7 Ralley with 15X7 trim rings and 70 centers below, all from Wheel Vintiques

Ordered set of Wheel Vintique wheels from Summit. The US Steel wheels were on backorder so didn't get them. Also ordered the center caps and trim rings. I'll let you all know how they work out when I get them on the Challenger.

Thanks!

The brushed trim ring look like crap from Wheel Vintiques. Looks like someone used 80 grit sandpaper. I got the polished ones and mounted them on an old wheel, then put on jacked up car, and ran in gear and used around 380 sandpaper until I was happy.

The powder coat looks so pretty on the rims , honestly it's nice looking in a way with the metallic

It was tough knowing you have to scuff scotchbrite and repaint them

Just don't understand how they can't even come close with the color

I just painted and mounted the tires on a set of Wheel Vintiques 15x7 rallye wheels from Summit for my friends 70 V code Challenger R/T. The wheels come power coated in an incorrect color. This power coat will eventually rust if left unprotected. I scuffed them and primed them,then I coated them with Rustolem flat aluminum silver paint. I then mounted and balanced them. They were very true as I watched them spin on the balancer. One wheel needed only .25 ounces of weight,two others only needed .25 on one side,and .50 on the other side. The fourth wheel needed .50 on one side,and .75 on the other. Unless you need date coded wheels,then these are the way to go verses warped,curbed,bent or the stretched out lug holes of some originals.

I've used them and they are a pretty good choice except for two things no one touched on:

1. They are based on the 72 and up wheel that was made in Canada, the oval holes will have a thicker shrouding to them. Once you understand what I'm saying you'll pick it out everytime.

2. They are supposed to be balanced using a lug-centric tool. This tool holds the wheel by the lug holes not the center hole while on the balance machine. Manufacturer doesn't guaranty the center hole is true.

He's a picture of mine on my 72.
Ron

I'll agree with you Ron on the thicker more pronounced stamping on the oval holes (they actually measure about .050 more raised than the earlier "original" versions, causing them to be more "pronounced") although "most" would be hard pressed to notice the difference unless side by side...or a set of dial calipers in hand

As far as balance, I've had ZERO issues using center, or lug centric balancing on the WV offerings, Mopar and brand X repros, however I've given up on traditional weight balance after using Dynabeads for the last decade+, I've got WV repros running repro belted Polyglass tires and WV repros running modern radials all running Dynabeads, ZERO balance issues at any speed, including triple digits

Mike

I received them on Wednesday but didn't get to look at them until today. The wheels looks very nice. They are definitely not gray like previous sets I have seen. The silver was nice, but as stated above have way too much metallic in them so they have to be painted. The trim rings were very nice. No compaints there. The center caps were ok. All 4 arrived with small scratches in the center applique. The light argent paint was not even close to original in hue or texture.

Does anyone sell a center cap that is close to original in appearance? Or are these as good as I'm going find without having to repaint them myself (which I would rather not do)?

It's actually easy to repaint the centers if you use 1/4" masking tape, just mask, reshoot if the argent isn't to your liking, or you can buy repro centers from Mopar Performance ($250+), but their argent varies in batches as well, so getting a "matching" color set is often times a challenge, I've had to repaint new MP centers as well

I ordered a set of the "Restorer's Choice" center caps from Classic Industries since they had a good sale this weekend. When they arrive, I will let you know how they compare to the Wheel Vintiques caps from Summit.

I looked for that Rustoleum paint this weekend. I did not find any aluminum silver that was flat - all was gloss. I was given a can of Rustoleum "Bright Coat" Metallic finish aluminum. Is that what you used?

My favorite so far is Totally Autos Paint. That's what is pictured above. I have a new can or two of MP's paint if you want it?
Ron

Erik the chrome wheels on your car look like 15x8s.

Kylon 1403 aluminum is a very close match for original rallye rim paint. I've seen it sprayed on original paint 71 rally that needed a refreshing.

Two years ago I ordered the wheel Vintiques 15x7 from Summit. I painted the wheel went to match my OEM rims . When I went to put the OEM 15x7 trim ring on... no way too deep. Returned to Summit { painted} and sent me another {same part number }and the same issue. Offset is wrong for a OEM trim ring these were not 15x6.5 rims

I used the same Krylon dull aluminum on my wheels. It's a great match. Had to go to a couple hardware stores to find it.

It's hard to get paint down into the seam without getting runs so what I did was use a very small detail paint brush and paint the seam and then used the spray can to do the rest. The wheels will get rusty in the seams if you don't prime and paint in there.

Here are some pics to help everyone out in the future if looking to buy a set of the Wheel Vintiques Rallyes:

1. Out of the box is on the left. Repainted with Rallye Wheel paint on the right:


2. Wheel Vintiques center cap on the left. "Restorer's Choice" from Classic Industries on the right. You can see the hue difference and the RC cap is much heavier, with the center applique shipped not attached so it won't get scratched.


3. Close up of the hue/texture difference. Like night and day.


4. Out of the box WV on the left. Painted and RC on the right.