I've got it narrowed down to these 2 styles... I won't have the finances until probably July-August at the earliest, but a man can dream, right? :)

Budnik Famosa Dish (http://www.budnik.com/roadwheeldetail.asp?scid=56&pid=529&pg=1) - very cool style, and not likely to look "dated" any time soon... pretty popular, but not like the AR Torq-Thrusts that everybody has. (including me, currently)

Budnik Cobalt (http://www.budnik.com/roadwheeldetail.asp?scid=53&pid=517&pg=1) - a little more "modern" style, not seen on many muscle-cars, but could look "dated" in a few years???

I haven't even looked into pricing for custom width/offset on these, I'm not ready for a coronary(sp) just yet... Sizes will likely be 17x9.5 and 17x11 with 275/45 and 315/45 rubber (if they'll fit, which I think they will)

What's a Kidney worth on the black market? :D

Dear Santa.... :cool:

Dear Santa.... :cool:Good idea! I'll set a trap to catch Santa, and sell his kidneys :D

IMO, I like the Cobalts better... For me, I guess its the "Less" material... While the Famosa's look good, they "look" too heavy and bulky... Too "street-roddish... More "cruiser" than "Pro-Touring"...


I have been debating about Vintage Wheel Works V40's (17"TT , but unpolished) or Intro Vistas (not twisted)... But lately have been thinking more about something on the lines of that Cobalt...

Of course, at the rate I accomplish things, I still have a few years before I'll get new wheels...

My vote is for the Cobalts. I am sorta partial to any 5 spoke designs but I agree that they appear more Pro-Touringish than the famosas. (Is that a word? haha)

The Cobalts look just like my wheels, but not quite. I looked at them at the time I was buying my wheeels, but something about the spokes doens't look good to me. They don't have the right curves to them. I think Budnik missed it on those wheels.

Derek

Personally, I like them both! They say different things to me, though.

The Famosa's have a "Performance" look and something that would look good on a Chevelle (given its overall size and bulk). May be a bit "street roddish", but that wouldn't bother me.

The Cobalt's look to me like something that look great on a Camaro, Firebird, Mustang or something smaller than our Velle's. The spokes are too thin for a Chevelle, IMO.

I'd pick the Famosa's, but I don't think either one would look bad, however. Most importantly, you need to be happy with whichever one you pick!

Andy

I'd probably pick the Famosa,too. One thing about it,that style wheel looked good twenty years ago and will continue to look good twenty years from now.
BTW,I like your thinking about rim & tire sizes.

BTW,I like your thinking about rim & tire sizes....same as what Keith has on his elky ;)

Thanks guys, you've re-affirmed all my doubts about both :D I've been thinking exactly the same things you guys have said, but there aren't any other wheels that I like as much as either of these.

I'm leaning towards the famosas, and then get some cobalts for the '95 wagon when I can afford it :cool:

I like them both but, like Andy, I think the Famosa would look best on a Chevelle.

Derek

Personally, I like them both! They say different things to me, though.

The Famosa's have a "Performance" look and something that would look good on a Chevelle (given its overall size and bulk). May be a bit "street roddish", but that wouldn't bother me.

The Cobalt's look to me like something that look great on a Camaro, Firebird, Mustang or something smaller than our Velle's. The spokes are too thin for a Chevelle, IMO.

I'd pick the Famosa's, but I don't think either one would look bad, however. Most importantly, you need to be happy with whichever one you pick!

Andy

I agree. What color is the car too, pics? The Cobalts also look like they could look dated in 10 years.

Price out some Kinesis or Fikses. You'll feel much better about the Budniks.

What color is the car too, pics?Here it is currently.
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Derek69SS/69Malibu.jpg

It will sit about 1/2" lower when it's done. I'm thinking about repainting the hood & trunk to eliminate the stripes, and I'm changing the black interior to white.

Concerning your tires sizes-- the car will feel more responsive if you try to size the tire section width to match the width of the wheels. In that case, you'd be much better off with 255/45 on the front and 285/40 in the rear. A combo with a tire with a section width that is wider than the wheel width yields a softer ride that has less responsiveness and "turn in" feel.

For reference, a 255/45 section width is about 10" and a 285/40 is about 11" which would be a good match for the 9.5 & 11 width you are thinking about. (Good thoughts too, because I'm going to be ordering 9.5" and 11" CCW or Fikse wheels for my car, still haven't decided if I want 17" or 18".)

You may also want to consider 18 x 9.5 and 18 x 11 with 255/40's and 295/35's; same tire OD but going to 18" means you can pick a 295/35 which gives you a bit more tire out back compared to the 285/40 available in 17". The 295/35 still maintains a good section width to rim width correlation.

Also, I personally think the Famosa's would look better. The Cobalts are a nice wheel but I don't think they'd look good on the car.

Troy

Here is a few pic’s with 9.5 with P275 40X17 and 11 with P315 35X17. These wheels are a true three piece and have magnesium centers. I need spacers to run them. I used some washers to space them out and they are just barely on there. That is why the pic’s are so poor. I all so have a set of pro stars that I tried.

Nelson


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/redmanf1/caab64e7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/redmanf1/51a26618.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/redmanf1/76c1b498.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/redmanf1/33d68aab.jpg

Concerning your tires sizes-- the car will feel more responsive if you try to size the tire section width to match the width of the wheels. In that case, you'd be much better off with 255/45 on the front and 285/40 in the rear. A combo with a tire with a section width that is wider than the wheel width yields a softer ride that has less responsiveness and "turn in" feel.
Thanks for the tip :) I'm going to stick to 17" for sure... I may change my mind later, but right now, I'm sticking to the 275/315 idea. I'm going to occasionally let the wife drive the car, and I like the idea of the wider tires to protect the rims from curbs. :D

Derek, I like both of your choices. I have the Budnik Arrowhead on my 69
(I think you have already seen it) I think you will like the quality of the Budnik wheels which ever model you choose :D

Gaz :thumbsup:

Sizes will likely be 17x9.5 and 17x11 with 275/45 and 315/45 rubber (if they'll fit, which I think they will) I think you mean 275/40 & 315/35.

I too would go the 275/315 route, a 255 is suited better on a 8-9" wheel. 275/315 is a perfect match and has been done many times and is a proven combo.

Keith, is that what yours are? (I know, I've asked you at least a dozen times :D )

I'll have to look at them again when I stop by tomorrow, but I think I want them to be a little taller than what you have, at least a 40 aspect ratio in the rear, since I picked up that 12-bolt with 4.10s I think a 28" tire would be nice.

Derek,

You have mail...

I think you mean 275/40 & 315/35.

Yeah,I didn't catch that,either. Sure wish someone made a 335/45/17 tire.

Here is a few pic’s with 9.5 with P275 40X17 and 11 with P315 35X17. These wheels are a true three piece and have magnesium centers. I need spacers to run them. I used some washers to space them out and they are just barely on there. That is why the pic’s are so poor. I all so have a set of pro stars that I tried.

Nelson

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/redmanf1/51a26618.jpg


Those wheels look like OZ Venturas.

Clint44,
They do look a lot a like. These are speedlines.

Nelson

Both clean nifty looking wheels.
The Colbalts are more speed looking while the Famosas are my dream wheel,
for the same reason Clint mentioned.
They looked good 20 years ago and will still look good 20 years from now.

Bet if you go with the colbalts you will have fewer people using the same wheel.

Kinda like the Torque Thrust IIs.
They look so good that everybody thought so and bought the same wheels.