Borrani Wheel rebuild source opinions

Anyone able to discuss the relative merits of Dayton Wire Wheel, the Borrani Wheel guy in Illinois, or others? It's time to do the wheels on my 330 GT; crusty is a good description of them.

 

I would suggest Cork Adams in Ill. Very good but Very slow.

 

I have also used Cork. Very nice guy to deal with and excellent work.

 

Thanks for the responses. Can either of you quantify Cork's turnaround time? I don't have a problem with a guy who says "It will take 6 months" and who delivers in that period. I would have a problem doing business with a guy who says "4 weeks" and who then takes 6 months.

Thoughts?

 

Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2004 10:24 am Post subject: Wire Wheel Repair

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Erik,

When I got my car (67 2+2, No. 9129) the spare appeared useable, but was dirty, had bent spokes, rusty nipples, a rusty hub, a chunk out of the outboard rim and the remains of some sort of permanent coating on the inboard side (ceramic or powder coating?). Being from Dayton, Ohio, I knew about Dayton Wire Wheels (now Dayton Wheel Concepts). Thinking I had to get the aluminum rim fixed myself, I tried to take it apart with a home-made nipple wrench. This rapidly became an exercise in how to break nipples, so I called Dayton and Mike Edgerton said they could fix the rim as well as the rest of the wheel. After I mentioned to them that I was going to visit my mother in Dayton over Christmas, Robin O’Brian volunteered to drive to Mom’s house while I was there and pick up the wheel.

The repaired wheel was delivered to my home in April. I held my breath as I opened the box. Imagine my delight when I saw a wheel that belongs in a museum! The repair of the rim was invisible. The hub had been polished and re-chromed to perfection. The rim was also perfectly polished, with the data stamping still legible. The spokes and nipples had all been replaced. To top it off, they installed a new rubber nipple band (instead of duct tape) and a Borrani sticker on the hub flange. To say I was pleased is an understatement. It cost $400 including shipping (More or less work would probably change the price.) and was well packed for return shipment. The only down side was a wait of four months, but since the engine is still out of my car, a long lead time was not a problem for me. I highly recommend Dayton for restoration of your Borranis.

I'd be happy to send you some pix of them (before and after).

Tom

 

I talked with Mike Edgerton this afternoon. He quoted $495/wheel and 120 days turnaround. He said turnaround time will be shorter after the car show season (Pebble Beach, etc.).

I live less than an hour from their facility, so I'm going to take the wheels off the car, remove the nasty old tires, take the wheels to Mike for inspection so they can pass judgement on safety (I'd like to get the wheels rebuilt over the winter, not this summer) and if they pass, get new tires and enjoy the car for a few months before major work begins.

I would much enjoy seeing some pictures of your wheels before and after.

 

I had Cork do both my knockoffs and also my alloy wheels. I still have an extra set of wires that need to be done. He knew I was in no hurry and I didn't press him for time. He seems like he is always busy though but I think he will give you a straight answer on turnaround. When it is time for my wires to be done I will use him again.

 

Hi guys,

(I hope these pix make it.) Here, after much cropping and resizing, are some pix of my Borrani, both in original condition and after restoration by Dayton. The first is a shot of the back side and some sort of coating that would not come off with solvent. The second shot is of the restored back side. The third is the unrestored front showing the notch just above the valve stem hole. The last pic is the restored front.


Tom

 

Is there a contact # for Cork Adams?