In celebration of my recent addition to the family (an '86 911 Carrera 3.2 coupe) I would like to start an 9-part series of threads recognizing certain parts of the car that is synonymous with a classic 911. This is inspired by a recent article on total 911 magazine on 911 icons. These threads would be a pictorial representation of what in my opinion are distinctive trademarks that epitomize the classic. My goal here is to remind everyone on how valuable their possession is (not that one needs any reminding but I hope you know waht I mean) and more importantly rekindle the 911 passion for all the current and previous owners (whalebird, I was thinking of you here) of this timeless automobile. I will use my car's parts for all these threads (I only looked at cars which had these icons) except for the fourth part as my car does not feature this. Each of these threads would have my take on the part chosen and how I strive to (or intend to) keep that iconic part in pristine condition. Members can chime off with their favorite memories of that particular part being discussed, post pictures of these parts on their cars or can sound off on anything that pertains to the part. The disclaimer: These threads purely represent my opinion. To start of this the series, I have chosen my personal favorite: The FUCH'S WHEELS, officially known as the Fuch's felge in German (Fuch's alloy in english).

The wow factor for me: Alloy wheels may be as common as carrots nowadays but think about the '60's. They were virtually unheard of. When the first Fuch's wheels were fitted on the 911S, I understand that the cost was more than five times that of a painted steel item. Several other wheels came and went (cookie cutter, telephone dial etc) but no wheel made an impact anywhere even close to the Fuch's. They came in different styles (polished on the very first year 911's, most common type on the later ones the center painted black which I love and some like mine with it's center painted in the color of the car's exterior)..but one thing is for sure. It truly changed the face of motoring. The 911 would not be the same without the Fuch's. Truly the most famous and distinctive Porsche wheel of all.

How to keep it clean: I wash my wheels regularly with a non-acidic cleaner that is safe for the finish of the wheels and every three months I apply a protective coat of a hydropolymer on the wheel to create a heat resistant barrier against road grime and brake dust. Cleaning wheels then becomes a breeze. This coat keeps your wheels cleaner that much longer and prevents the need for using a strong and harsh wheel cleaner ever in it's lifetime.

Hope you enjoy this series.

Part 2: https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ferrerid=76429
Part 3: https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ferrerid=76429
Part 4: https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ferrerid=76429

 

AWESOME. This is a long overdue idea.
The fuchs wheel could be catagorized as iconic - no doubt. In context Fuch made other wheels: 914, and IIRC 928 S4 "sewer lids"...all forged.
Thanks for keeping me in mind. I will go home and pull out some pics. My camera is on the fritz and I lost my main computer to a meltdown this week. Posting pics is a challenge right now. I will enjoy these threads.

 

The alloy lugs are an integral part too.

 

Wow..I am already learning so much about it's history. That's my exact intent. Thank you whalebird. I am loving this.

 

I just (not 30 mins ago) got done reaming the *** of the wheel shop that damaged my 9 INCH FUCHS WHEELS THAT I BOUGHT NEW.

I showed them the fresh tool mark on the rim, after I asked the installer while he was doing it not to use a prybar!!!! And the prybar left a prybar-shaped gouge in my rear wheel.

I don't think this is off-topic. Protect your Fuchs at tire change time. Ask them to use a padded prybar. Look for one in the shop, usually with a nylon sleeve on it, and make sure your tire installer has it in his hands before he starts working on your wheels.
I'll post a pic as soon as I get one.

P.S. The wheel shop owner was really nice. He offered to have my wheel re-finished but I declined. As a businessman, I respect what he did but I opted instead to chew out the *** of the wheel installer in front of the owner, after chewing out the *** of the owner. I told him that I have been going to that shop for over a decade, and that they have never scratched one of my wheels. I told the installer that he must carry on their reputation for excellent work, and that he let the shop down. I let the installer know that his performance is unacceptable, and that he must step up his game if he is to be worthy of the reputation that brings in such high dollar wheels. The shop owner said this is a day that he will not forget for a long time, and that next time he will personally install my tires.

Edit: Doyle, I was not after retribution. I was after the truth. The installer was lying to me saying he didn't do it. And this is a shop that ALL the Porsche, Viper, Ferrari, Merc, Aston, Masaratti, etc guys go to. I let them know that putting a gouge in a Fuchs wheel is not up to par with the reputation of the shop, which goes back decades.

Name of Shop: Wheel King in Fresno, CA.

 

are you suggesting I hop over the hill so you can clean my wheels too??

Hey seriously, nice pics and good details of what to do and the reason behind doing it - looking forward to the series.
I have a question... why is the valve stem supported on the rear wheels with that little tab, but not on the fronts?

 

Holy sheeit, Rusnak. That sounds stressful,..as I went through this very same thing (well, almost,..NOT gouges, but scratchings). This was during the 1st 6 months of ownership (a while back),..and I never forgot it. I'm quite attentive (would PROUDLY call it ****). Luckily, I've taught my Toyota son-in-law (Master Tech with one helluva shop) to DO (BE) the same thing/way when doing anything on my car. I (we) change oil, mount tires, other things TOGETHER. It's funny when I ask him if he can make his air tools (suspended above him) raise a bit higher, out of my view. Please make room for my torque wrenches.........

I would hope that they participate in full restitution for the repair costs....no doubt that the ***-chewing was priceless.

I feel sad...make 'em learn the dollar side of the equation.

Best of luck,

Doyle

 

Back to w00tPORSCHE's regularly scheduled program..............

Doyle

 

It should be, some wheels have them some don't. It supports the valve stem from snapping at high speeds.
Imagine; A car traveling from left to right as you are viewing it's side. If you follow the valve stem visually. It is traveling 0mph at the 6 o'clock position(@ the ground where your tires make contact). At the 9 o'clock position - axle level, the stem is traveling car speed, say 60mph on the speedo. As the stem reaches the 12 o'clock position it has accelerated to 120mph at which point it begins decelleration to 60 at 3 o'clock, and 0mph at the ground(6 o'clock). So at 60 mph, the stem, tire,wheel integrally accelerates and decellarates to twice the cars speed EVERY revolution. You can zing a stem right off at high speed.
If you put a glow in the dark dot on the stem and viewed the car at night it would make undulating arcs. This phenomenon is different than the wheel spinning on an axis such as a tire balancer and the reason balance vibrations come and go (modal) with vehicle speed. The benefit of quality tires and wheels are appearant in my analogy as the carcass of the tire and wheel undergo tremendous stresses. Food for thought.

 

Wow, your wheels look fantastic.
I'm turning a mild shade of green.
I recently reworked mine, which were much worse than yours, and they are still nowhere close to how great your wheels look.
Great idea for a series of threads.
:-)

 

Nice job! During my first concours, I was told to point the Porsche crest from the wheel caps to the valve stem. My $.02 contribution.

 

Rusnak: I really feel bad about your recent experience. Your story highlights why we can't take anything for granted however experienced a shop. Why is it off topic. Remember it is a discussion on the part, it's features, history, showing that part in your car (if you choose to) and how to care for it and protect it.

Ed: I like your new avatar. The car was recently detailed at your neck of the woods (Metropolitan: You know that they are the best in Seattle). As much as a passionate hobby detailing is to me, for starters, I wanted a professional make-over for my newest (old) Carrera 3.2. The way the valve hole is positioned in the front (compared to the rear) makes it less prone to valve stem damage and air leaks. Porsche had quite a few complaints of air leaks on the rears as the the earlier fuchs wheels did not have this support. The rationale for this is that at high speeds it keeps the stem from being forced outwards and bending. Go take a look at the valve stem angle on yours and it may make sense. Does your's have the support. If not it may not be a bad idea to change it to a metal valve stem guide or get some bolt-ons but not sure how many have felt this to be a factor at high speeds. I personally like the look of the support that too painted in the exterior color.
__________________

 

+1 mine are pointing to the valve stem... good call Andy


MAN Amar thought you were **** !!


(I can see him going to the garage and being upset... taking the wheels off and rotating the center crests to the "correct" orientation.... I am cracking up because I know he is gonna do it or it will drive him nuts!)

 

Wow that wheel Horror story made the hair on the back of my neck stand up . As far as the icons go I find myself trying to guess them .. are they in some sort of order ..best for last ?

When your done you should throw them all on a poll and we can vore for the most iconic feature and maybe discuss some that may or may not have been missed .. should be a great thread...

 

He at least gets half points for getting the wheel lock opposite the valve stem , but great catch on the crest.. my car has so much torque as soon as I take off the centre cap spins anyway ........ NOT !!!!!