While I'm a fan of 16, 17 or possibly even 18" wheels because of the tire situation these wheels though attractive make a big statement about high levels of performance that isn't there. These suggest modified Pantera type performance and that IMHO is not what the Merak is all about. Even on Bora I think they suggest something that's not there. The wheels on Walter's Merak work for me. I wish someone would design a larger version of the stock Merak & Bora (sans hub caps) wheels as I like the design a lot. Particularly the Merak wheel. The Italians designed some wonderful looking wheels back in the 60's to early 80's. Many of them were competition wheels too.
Hi, Here is two pictures of the PAG-15 wheels in 8 x 15 beside my Merak. The front tire is too fat for the Merak, but i doesn't look too bad at the rear. The wheels belongs to my friend René, owner of Khamsin US1000 and a Hawk Stratos. He will use the PAG-15 on the Stratos for trackdays, and the regular coffin spokes for road use. Best regards Marius Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi Marius, Could you tell me more about the width problem at the front please? The wheels are only 1/2 " wider than the standard fitment so is the issue the tyres or the wheel offset? [ or both ? ] What did the wheels look like in any other view? Do they suit the car in your view or not? Questions, questions!! Thanks Julian
I know 245/60-15 tires on the stock Bora rims rub in the front at full lock on the aluminum sway bar arm. They're too wide anyway. The 235/60-15 also rub slightly in the same spot at full lock but it's quite manageable. That was with XGT tires a lot of years ago now. Every manufacturer's tires vary in dimensions so you'd have to check. I'd be surprised to hear that the rim on an 8" wide rim was rubbing though?
Hi Julian, The wheels where never mounted on the car, just placed beside my Merak. Therefore I don't know if the size is really a problem. I was not there when René tested this, and from the pictures I thought the diameter at front looked a bit too big. I was wrong, because Renè´s impression was that the diameter was a bit less than my 215/70 front tires. The PAG-15 wheel on the pictures is 8 x 15 ET0 and the tires are Michelin TB-15 18/60 (equals 225/55 according Michelin). Group 4 wheels will make wheels with desired ET so fitment should not be a problem. Low ET at the rear would look nice, but I would not recommend changing the ET at the front more than one cm. The steering angle may suffer and the feedback in the steering wheel may feel like "kickbacks". Best regards Marius
I like the combo the Style of there is in the vane of the originals. . Photo shop what great way to get an impression. Could you do a Khamsin please ? Graeme
Hi, for me that is just too much. These are classic cars and they look best if tyres and rims are not too far from originals. On the Khamsin just take original rim size and use 225 Michelin tyres instead of 215. Makes a subtle difference, looks great and keeps the revs down a bit. Regards Rolf
Thanks for doing the picture. Sorry Guys the style actually looks quite good however the rim Diameter looks a bit to big. They look more 18/19 a 16" would look OK with the same offset frount and rear. Its the rim size that looks to big otherwise they are an option. Now hears a wild thought..... and guys dont get bent out of shpe over this..... but as the Khamsin is effectively a front engine Urraco in profile I wonder how it would look with lamborghini silhouette/Jalpa body flares and front dam. Graeme
I totally agree. That's what I have done on my Merak (WXW 205 front and 225 rear), and I'm quite happy with the car both visually and in terms of handling. Regards, Gabriel
Hi Graeme, On the wheels I'm with you. I like the look of the Group Four wheel at the 15" diameter on the Khamsin. I don't care for the Campy star burst wheels. I think they look good on the Indy, not all that good on the Khamsin, and absolutely out of place on the Ghibli. But regarding all that Lambo Urraco stuff: no, no, no! Carmine
But they'd never fit looking like that. The offset is way off in the rear. Remember, those rears were original for a Group 4 Bora with enormously flared rear fender openings. Fatter tires (235F 245-255R) look great on the Khamsin and Bora IMHO. They really help the handing a lot on the Bora too. I'm a fan of the Khamsins original wheels. I like some of the BBS 3pc basketweave style conversions done in the 1990s by Postert as well.
i know of a really swwwweeeet khamsin restored in my neighbourhood . Its resorted completely burgundy over black but has now a couple of minor paint flaws . I have no interest in this car other than i looked at it as a potential purchase , was impressed at the level of finish but was too much for me and i enventually chose another brand car anyways . If you want to know more PM me as I dont know if its publicy for sale yet and dont know the guy that well and dont want to offend him but i can get you his info once i ask. Someone on here should buy it . Gary Espada 8394
Gary, I am new to the forum. That said I am looking for a Khamsin. Is this car located in Canada. I am in Vancouver. Thx Tim.
But regarding all that Lambo Urraco stuff: no, no, no! Carmine[/QUOTE] Hi Carmine Where's your sense of adventure It would be fun to see what a Jhalperized Khamsin would look like in Group 4 Guise. Graeme
Hi Carmine Where's your sense of adventure It would be fun to see what a Jhalperized Khamsin would look like in Group 4 Guise. Graeme[/QUOTE] +1. Of course there is no historical background, but a pepped-up K could be made to look rather wonderful!
I was told that my car #385 had a rear wing made of solid mahogany sometime during the 80ies in UK. The car was white at the time, and still is, but was silver originally. Any pictures of the mahogany wing would be most welcome. Must be great entertainment
Hi Marc, Wonder if this is one you know about? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/360498910430?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 Cheers Bal
Hi, Check out his other cars for sale too... It puts me off this car a bit! The others don't look like they've been lavished with much attention over the last ten years or so, so did the K get spoilt?
Yesterday I took the battery out of my car: I hadn't really been in that space yet. I found that the battery was loose, standing on a simple little frame made out of L-shaped profile. There is no evidence of any provision to hold the battery in place, nor is it in any way isolated from the space it is in, with lots of white residu in the lower fender. Does anyone have a picture of the set-up as should be, preferably without the battery in place? How is the battery kept in place originally? I also find a few rather thick hoses to get rid of water from the rear hatch aperture, which is of course a great idea, but not if the hoses are cut too short and don't reach the hole they are supposed to stick through to lead the water out. So, yes, there IS some rust damage, albeit very minute. Certainly nothing to worry about, but I'll replace the hoses with longer ones, and let in some metal with a new nice round hole for them to pass through. Same on both sides, all the hoses except 1 are too short. How odd. Fortunately no other sign of rust anywhere else.
