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My son and I recently purchased a manual 1986.5 model. A doctor had owned if for 27 years. Very original car. The only part of the car that I can see that might have been painted is the hood as there are some sanding marks. The dash has some cracks as expected but the rest of the interior is in very good condition for 117K miles. There are some scratches and a few dings. I would call it a survivor car.
It came with a set of BBS RS wheels, 8 1/2's and 9 1/2's with new Kumho tires. I believe they originally had silver centers but, somewhere along the line, the centers were painted black. We found a set of 7" and 8" manholes that we had refurbished so we don't need these wheels. There are in what I would consider rough condition with curb rash and some of the black paint flaking off. I know BBS RS's that fit 911's and early 944's can bring big money. We are trying to decide whether or not it would be worth it to have them restored. Is there a demand for these wheels? The factory number is RS 131 for the fronts and RS132 for the rears.
I'd sell them. I think they are about the ugliest wheels ever made (see also 70's/80's vintage Firebirds - not BBS, but fugly). Many folks love them though, and BBS makes a very good wheel.
Back in the day, I installed BBS RS wheels on a number of my Porsche's and on a Mercedes 2.3-16. They looked great on the cars that did not have ABS. Once ABS came out, the backspacing changed on cars and you did not have the deeply recessed wheels. They looked much better when they were recessed.
This is a 1983 944 that was my track car in the early nineties. No ABS and were deep dished.
The photo below is of a 1987 944 Turbo that I bought new. It had ABS and you can see that the centers are not recessed as much. These wheels did not look as good as the wheels that were on the '83. I am pretty sure the BBS's that came off the 928 will fit a late model 944.
This 1986 Mercedes 190 2.3-16 also had ABS. As you can see, these wheels are also do not have the deep dish of those on the '83 944.
This is a photo of a 1986 944 Turbo which did not have ABS. You can see the difference between the recessed center part on this car compared to the 1987 944 Turbo above. At the time, we lived in northern Indiana not too far from the Tire Rack. As you can see, they loved me back then!!!
We had gold ones on Muscat Brown Metallic 86 928. Were same on all four corners, I think 8 inch wide. Pinstripe on body matched the gold center web. Looked sharp. Otherwise, I agree with Ed, would rather have modern wheels.
Now that said, my son sold them about a year ago for around 1300. I was surprised. Some folks really like the period look. Mine were very nice, with centers and wrench. The BBS are soft, and do corrode. Cool retro look if colors work.
We had gold ones on Muscat Brown Metallic 86 928. Pinstripe on body matched the gold center web. Looked sharp. Otherwise, I agree with Ed, would rather have modern wheels
Now that said, my son sold them about a year ago for around 1300. I was surprised. Some folks really like the period look. Mine were very nice, with centers and wrench. The BBS are soft, and do corrode. Cool retro look if colors work.
They look better on your car. BTW, my daughter lives in Limestone, TN.
Limestone is really close to us.
Further coincidence, we disvovered the brown car while living in Elkhart. We've run our grey euro on the tire rack test track in south bend.
Back to wheels, offsets are key, you might find a good price for them. Stan made a good point about possibility of coating removal if that upgrades them. Black does look good though. Color is key on these working.
Limestone is really close to us.
Further coincidence, we disvovered the brown car while living in Elkhart. We've run our grey euro on the tire rack test track in south bend.
Back to wheels, offsets are key, you might find a good price for them. Stan made a good point about possibility of coating removal if that upgrades them. Black does look good though. Color is key on these working.
I texted the doctor who owned the car since 1994. He said the BBS's were on it then and were painted black when he got it. So I am pretty sure it is paint we are talking about here and not some kind of dip..
BTW, we lived in MIddlebury. And my daughter lives on Opie Arnold Drive!! When she told me her address, I had to ask if that was near Mayberry!!
I still have a red one, 84, in Elkhart.
A platinum 85 factory spoiler delete shell hangs above it.
And a silver S4 belonging to a good friend lives very near you. Small world.
Best of luck with 86.5 5spd, that will be fun to drive!
09-20-2022, 07:14 PM
BBS RS wheels
