To alloy, or not to alloy?

[c2105026]

Good evening people,

Recently on eBay I won a set of 5 VB-VC SLE wheels.

Now, as you may/may not know my '79 VB commodore is sort of a showroom special; trying to keep it as authentic as possible. However, I am willing to build in accessories/options that do not violate its numbers matching status. Based on my research, as far as I know, the base model VB 6cyl sedan with rear drums was available with the 15 inch alloy option, i.e. the same wheels as the SLE, so there is no issue with authenticity there.

Only issue is...come to think of it.....as it is the VB currently has restored steel sheels, with the accessory chrome trims with virtually all the rubber on the tyres, is it worth the $5-600 or so required to get new tyres for the SLE rims, and install the 'new' rims? Do you think it'd look better or worse? Would they look out of place on an otherwise base model?

Or, should I just hold onto the wheels until I can get a good price for them?

[ari666]

any modification performed to an other wise stock vehicle lowers the sale price. SLE rims will increase the sale value of a genuine SL/e which was fitted with different wheels. if your car came with stockies, i would suggest sticking with stockies.

just my opinion is all.

[NPreston]

It's no big deal, you can always change them back in 30 minutes.

[c2105026]

good responses people

ari, i would not say this is a modification; including a factory option may well increase the value; but yes resale value is important

[soop]

Unless you plan to weld the wheels to the studs, I fail to see the issue.

[vkberlina]

It's no big deal, you can always change them back in 30 minutes.

exactly if you can store the original wheels just do it and you can always put it back

cheers
Scott

[ari666]

true that! i retract my statement with apologies

[Philthy]

It's no big deal, you can always change them back in 30 minutes.

Agreed. Just keep the old wheels and change them as you see fit

[c2105026]

thanks for all the good responses.....I have decided to install them. I test fitted one wheel just now, it looks good, it actually makes the vehicle look more sporty, european and sophisticated. The wheels are a very 1970s design which also aids in the look of the vehicle. In addition, the standard 6x14 inch, 185/75R14 rolling stock does not really cut it in the wet. The 6x15, 205/60r15 i now intend to fit should improve handling noticeably.

now....

wheels have been neglected and are quite grubby and mildly oxidised. How does one rectify this? What is the best way to clean/restore this intricate design?

[c2105026]

ok.....wheels are not able to be cleaned, are well weathered and oxidised. putting stockies back on, sle mags to be stored and sold in future.

[soop]

If they're straight alloy, get some metal pollish. Costs about $20 for a tube. Some elbow grease will get them like new guaranteed.

[old mate]

ok.....wheels are not able to be cleaned, are well weathered and oxidised. putting stockies back on, sle mags to be stored and sold in future.

you can clean them up to near new, i had to do my sle alloy wheels as they were dirty as all crap. what i use is "chemtech blitz" in a spray bottle. just spray it onto the wheels and get a brush to get in all the tight spots (which there are many). i dont have a picture of them before cleaning but they were just disgusting. some guy had them in his shed for ages then they sat outside for a while.

this isnt a great pic of the wheels but it shows the cleanliness and colour of them.



i can take a better pic if you wanted.

[c2105026]

ok, thanks for the advice....i may in the future clean them up with the metal polish or the chemtech blitz mentioned. For now I don't have the $$$ for proper rubber anyways, i'd only be getting cheap chinese rubbish. I am getting $$$ in the new year so I may tidy them up then, which will be good for I am on a long unit break then, and am also recovering from surgery then so it'll be something nice and easy to do to kill the time. Old Mate, how long did it take to polish/clean each wheel?