What is the history behind these gold rims/wheels?

"TSLA" (TeslaMotors) 12/18/2013 at 18:09 • Filed to: halp, classic, race, car, wheels, gold

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I see them a lot on old 80's race cars and wanted to know more about them. Where there regulations where you had to use this style of rim or were they just chosen for its looks? Is there a specific name for this style of wheel?

Klaus Schmoll > TSLA 12/18/2013 at 18:12

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Made by BBS. Not really racing wheels per se, more like popular with the modding crowd at that time.

scoob > TSLA 12/18/2013 at 18:13

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Gold wheels are just badass.

No I really don't know. I just think they look nice.

Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ > TSLA 12/18/2013 at 18:15

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They look like an older version of BBS RS-GT wheels.

TheJWT > TSLA 12/18/2013 at 18:16

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I'm not sure about the color, but the ones you see on older touring cars were primarily made by BBS. They pioneered the 3-peice wheel design, and were used by just about everyone in that era.

Bad Idea Hat > TSLA 12/18/2013 at 18:21

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I know they actually go way back to the 60's, when both Ferraris and Fords wore them. I'm not sure the reason why they came about, but they were certainly beautiful.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > TSLA 12/18/2013 at 18:21

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I think actual Magnesium rims are gold before they oxidize

Bad Idea Hat > Bad Idea Hat 12/18/2013 at 18:23

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Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Bad Idea Hat 12/18/2013 at 18:25

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Magnesium or anodized aluminum

Bad Idea Hat > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 12/18/2013 at 18:28

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I...I don't know

UserNotFound > TSLA 12/18/2013 at 18:28

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*Sometime in history*

Hey Klaus!
Jah, Dieter?
How about gold rims?
Jah!

TSLA > TheJWT 12/18/2013 at 18:38

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This is what I was looking for. Thanks for sharing this info

Stupidru > Klaus Schmoll 12/18/2013 at 18:39

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What? BBS specializes in racing wheels. I don't think "stancing" was popular back them

Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) > Klaus Schmoll 12/18/2013 at 18:43

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BBS makes racing wheels...

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > TSLA 12/18/2013 at 19:23

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I'm pretty sure gold colour harkens back to how magnesium wheels went through a chromic treatment to protect them from pitting and cracking. You might hear the term Dow #7 come up every now and then in relation to them. It was a popular treatment named by Dowmetal who pioneered the process.

However the BBS pictured are probably anodized and painted gold, that style was just what was BMW chose for the M3, the spokes are supposed to reference the old wire wheel style but still be strong and light.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 12/18/2013 at 19:24

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nah Magnesium is silver/grey and oxidizes to white powder. The colour comes from a chromic treatment to protect them from chipping.

505Turbeaux > TSLA 12/18/2013 at 19:58

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the first example I ever saw them on a stock rig was the e21 BMW 320is

Harrison Voorhees > Klaus Schmoll 12/18/2013 at 20:16

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they're definitely racing wheels.

syaieya > TSLA 12/18/2013 at 21:37

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I have a set of OZ rims that are period and in that style for my W201. It needs a bit of fender flare to work but it does go well with the car.

But the ones you're lookin for are the BBS definitely. My dad used to run a set of 4 spokes on his VW golf back in his racing days.

As for the why, it's because back in those days the choices were much more limited and they were the most desirable thing you could have at the time.

TacoTacoMMmm > TSLA 12/23/2013 at 17:12

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More info on BBS the company