How to Identify Fuchs Replicas?
 

I looked at a set of wheels (with mounted tires) last night but couldn't tell if they were real forged Fuchs or cast replicas, especially after looking in Bruce Anderson's book. Size is 7 and 8 by 16.


For comparison my original 7x16 has part number "911 362 115" just like Anderson's book says it should. That spoke also has AS1062 and the foxhead. In another spoke it has the triangle and "7J x16" with "ET 23.3" (the offset) under it. Another spoke has "FCO" and the other two spokes have number stampings that are hard to read.

The two 7" wheels I looked at had "911.361.020" followed by "44" in a box which isn't in Bruce's book but seems to indicate a 15 inch wheel, making me suspicious that these are cast wheels carrying markings from an original Fuchs. Underneath the part number is "AS10.62" with what would appear to be the foxhead. Another spoke has 7Jx16 and the stylized triangle with "VD" inside it. Ther is no offset indication. The other spokes didn't have the kind of markings mine does.

The two 8" wheels had "911.361.020" followed by "45" in a box. Underneath is "AS10.62" and what appears to be a foxhead. On one of the wheels that is followed by "28139" and on the other wheel "028139" is underneath the previous row of numbers.
They both have the stylized triangle and 8Jx16 and no offset indication on another spoke.

Anybody know about such things and can help me out?

I by no means am an expert, but I know that the wheels had different markings on them over the years they were produced.

I have a set of four 16 x 6 wheels that have the same pn on them, but different stampings on them. They are all light and are feel same weight, just manufactured at different times.

Weight might be a good tip off. The replicas will almost certainly be cast/heavy while the real Fuch's are forged and light. I believe 16" Fuchs run in the 17-20# range.

Thanks for the weight suggestion, but tires are mounted on the wheels so that's not a viable option to the seller.
I'm hoping somebody out there is familiar with the stampings or some other way to tell real from replica.

Real Fuchs will also have a small fox head stamped on the inside of the wheel.

Kurt V

I've seen Fuchs replicas at Performance Products that had the letters JWL that you could read on the spokes from the outside.

Thanks. I called wheel Enhancement, figuring they would know how to tell. They confirmed the set I'm looking at is original. :)