Thought I'd share some pictures of my new wheels.
These wheels have been on my bucket list for a number of years now and I finally got a chance to make them a reality.
I placed my order with Colorado Customs in July of 2021 - after I'd discussed with them how I wanted these wheels optioned out.
These were definitely the most money I've ever dropped on just a single upgrade for this car, but in the end, I think they were well worth it.
In February 2022, (Yes, eight month's later) - I got the call letting me know my wheels were finally completed and ready to ship. They arrived at my door a week later.
Unfortunately, spring wouldn't arrive for another 2 month's - so the wait continued on...
Ten long month's from start to finish...
So here we are in May and they're finally on the car.
Just finished installing everything this morning. Crappy final picture, I know - but it hasn't stopped raining yet today. Once we get some better weather, I'll be able to wash the car and take some better pictures.
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What I was aiming for:
The vision I've always had for this car when it came to wheels, was a set of exact-replica Impala SS wheels but with the following changes...
I wanted the wheels to compliment the design of the car, not over power it and become the main focal point.
In my opinion, 18's are the perfect balance between improved looks and cornering capability - without sacrificing much, in terms of everyday durability, comfort and drivability.
This is a street car that sees crappy Canadian roads. I don't want to worry about speed bumps or potholes destroying my wheels, nor do I want the fillings shaken out of my teeth as I drive down the road. 🤣
So bear that in mind if you're wondering why I didn't follow the crowd with giant 24+ inch wheels and rubber-band tires on 7" wide rims. That's just not my thing.
I'm weird, I know.
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Why these wheels are different from the "other" replicas on the market:
What makes these wheels particularly unique among factory replica wheels available elsewhere, is that they're the only replicas on the market that are proportionately correct to the factory design.
I don't think any of the other manufacturers offering Impala SS replicas - understand that if you increase one dimension of a wheel, you have to increase all the other dimensions by the same amount.
Otherwise, the wheels start to lose their original shape. The proportions are off, which in my opinion, make the wheel look a bit off as well.
These wheels are proportioned correctly...
Small details of the factory GM design, like the soft, rounded edges of the spokes (tapered so the spokes become wider in size towards the inside of the wheel) have been reproduced perfectly - so they still have the same depth and 3-Dimentional appearance of the factory wheel.
They don't have that flat, paper cut-out look to them that so many other replicas do.
Even the center caps have been reproduced exactly as the originals (nobody does that) and don't require screws to hold them in place either, like the other designs I've seen.
I just wanted a factory wheel - but a bit taller, wider and with a better offset to bring the wheel out, closer to the fenders. The deeper dish, satin finish and relocation of the valve stems were basically the only alterations to an otherwise "factory" design.
---------------------------
Conclusion:
I think they came out looking great and thought I'd share.
These obviously aren't for everybody.
If you don't care for the look of the factory wheels, then these won't do anything for you.
They're also prohibitively expensive for many and honestly, I think a lot of people would probably scoff at the idea of spending this much money on something that most people wouldn't even notice was changed to begin with.
But in my case, I prefer Subtle & Low-Key over Loud & Flashy.
Different strokes for Different folks...
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These wheels have been on my bucket list for a number of years now and I finally got a chance to make them a reality.
I placed my order with Colorado Customs in July of 2021 - after I'd discussed with them how I wanted these wheels optioned out.
These were definitely the most money I've ever dropped on just a single upgrade for this car, but in the end, I think they were well worth it.
In February 2022, (Yes, eight month's later) - I got the call letting me know my wheels were finally completed and ready to ship. They arrived at my door a week later.
Unfortunately, spring wouldn't arrive for another 2 month's - so the wait continued on...
Ten long month's from start to finish...
So here we are in May and they're finally on the car.
Just finished installing everything this morning. Crappy final picture, I know - but it hasn't stopped raining yet today. Once we get some better weather, I'll be able to wash the car and take some better pictures.
---------------------------
What I was aiming for:
The vision I've always had for this car when it came to wheels, was a set of exact-replica Impala SS wheels but with the following changes...
- 18's on all 4 corners
- 9" Wide Fronts
- 10" Wide Rears
- Deeper dish both front and back (nothing crazy)
- Offset changed to bring the wheels further out (away from the frame)
- Brushed satin finish (clear coated)
- Valve stems relocated to the back of the wheel (for a cleaner overall look)
I wanted the wheels to compliment the design of the car, not over power it and become the main focal point.
In my opinion, 18's are the perfect balance between improved looks and cornering capability - without sacrificing much, in terms of everyday durability, comfort and drivability.
This is a street car that sees crappy Canadian roads. I don't want to worry about speed bumps or potholes destroying my wheels, nor do I want the fillings shaken out of my teeth as I drive down the road. 🤣
So bear that in mind if you're wondering why I didn't follow the crowd with giant 24+ inch wheels and rubber-band tires on 7" wide rims. That's just not my thing.
I'm weird, I know.
---------------------------
Why these wheels are different from the "other" replicas on the market:
What makes these wheels particularly unique among factory replica wheels available elsewhere, is that they're the only replicas on the market that are proportionately correct to the factory design.
I don't think any of the other manufacturers offering Impala SS replicas - understand that if you increase one dimension of a wheel, you have to increase all the other dimensions by the same amount.
Otherwise, the wheels start to lose their original shape. The proportions are off, which in my opinion, make the wheel look a bit off as well.
These wheels are proportioned correctly...
Small details of the factory GM design, like the soft, rounded edges of the spokes (tapered so the spokes become wider in size towards the inside of the wheel) have been reproduced perfectly - so they still have the same depth and 3-Dimentional appearance of the factory wheel.
They don't have that flat, paper cut-out look to them that so many other replicas do.
Even the center caps have been reproduced exactly as the originals (nobody does that) and don't require screws to hold them in place either, like the other designs I've seen.
I just wanted a factory wheel - but a bit taller, wider and with a better offset to bring the wheel out, closer to the fenders. The deeper dish, satin finish and relocation of the valve stems were basically the only alterations to an otherwise "factory" design.
---------------------------
Conclusion:
I think they came out looking great and thought I'd share.
These obviously aren't for everybody.
If you don't care for the look of the factory wheels, then these won't do anything for you.
They're also prohibitively expensive for many and honestly, I think a lot of people would probably scoff at the idea of spending this much money on something that most people wouldn't even notice was changed to begin with.
But in my case, I prefer Subtle & Low-Key over Loud & Flashy.
Different strokes for Different folks...
---------------------------
