So my new 74 Mazda REPU project came with some cool wheels on it. Under closer examination one has a slight dent/chunk in the lip. It seems salvageable enough, and I would love to get it fixed. I looked a little closer at one of them that isn't mounted, and it turns out the are Enkie wheels, which I think are pretty rare in a 6 lug pattern that these trucks use. Any input on the rarity of said wheels that you can see here.
I've got nothing for you, but I hope you start a build thread!
What are your plans?
Not sure on the plans yet. This thing is missing tons of stuff. The drivetrain is the easy part, the missing hood, missing battery door, hole in the roof, and many other things is the tough part. These things are tough to find parts for in general, and damn near impossible here in salty New England.
First:
Join the REPU page on Facebook
and
Japanese Nostalgic Car Forum
I am already on there man. I have owned my green 74 for more than 10 years.
I've no idea how rare the Enkei wheels are but RimPro in Tewksbury can probably repair the dent.
Wow, this one is a beast. So far my vintage wheel-fu is eluding me.
This is a dumb thought and I doubt this is even correct, but are those OEM GM wheels that they put on the K5 Blazer in the late 80's? Because they look just like them.
You didn't tell us what size they were but I imagine they are 15s? Could they be on an adapter plate?
Don't forget the Enkei made OEM wheels for several manufactures.
ding, ding, ding, I think we have a winner!
Chevrolet - all to '48 Chevy/GMC - P.U., van to '70 - 4x4 P.U., Blazer '71-'89 - LUV 2WD '72-'84 Dodge - D-50, Ram 50 P.U. '79-'87 Ford - Courier PU '72-'84 Mazda - P.U. '72-'89 Nissan/Datsun - P.U., Pathfinder '67-'89 Toyota - SR5, 4WD P.U., Landcruiser, 4-Runner (some) to '89
If you're looking to "fix" the wheel, there are people that can do that. Wheel Dr here in Cincinnati would do it, probably $100 or something, but vs buying all new maybe worth it?
15"x7". They could be GM wheels I guess, but I find it odd that GM would use a Japanese wheel back then. Now that I think of it there are three extra holes near the centre of the wheel that would be there for attaching that Chevy centre cap. Either way they look pretty cool, and I think I would like to get the one fixed.
In reply to Mazdax605:
Well Enkei has a few manafacturing plants here in the US and I think they've been here for 30+ years. One I believe is right down I-65 in Indiana.
It may be a bit confusing, but what a lot of people don't realize is that some of the wheels that are offered on cars aren't made by the manufacturer themselves, but outsourced from wheel companies like Enkei, so it makes sense.
The wheels actually show they were "Made in Japan" so even if they were GM rims they were made O/S.
I saw them yesterday and they do suit the truck well
In reply to aussiesmg:
You were there?
my old suburban had those wheels as well. It was just resold here and you can see them in this post http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/200x-classifieds/fs-my-1987-gmc-suburban-diesel/57205/page1/
SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: In reply to aussiesmg: You were there?
Yep, I am in Boston this week
aussiesmg wrote:SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: In reply to aussiesmg: You were there?Yep, I am in Boston this week
Ahh, well that answers my "But he lives in Ohio" confusion. 
I see the perfect opportunity to make a fiberglass hood and battery door here. Make copies of the pieces on the green truck and you're golden.
What the heck is that cutout in the bed in front of the rear wheel?
moparman76_69 wrote: What the heck is that cutout in the bed in front of the rear wheel?
Battery box is behind a hinged cover in that location hence what moparman is talking about
Slight dent/chunk makes me think you dont even have to fix it. It probably holds air. But yeah any wheel repair company can fix it. Whether or not any of them want to you wont know until you contact them.
We were thinking they might be rare, as it seems they are not rare after all I am now siding with Vigo on this. Or just buy a replacement.
mazdeuce wrote: I see the perfect opportunity to make a fiberglass hood and battery door here. Make copies of the pieces on the green truck and you're golden.
Yeah that is not anything I am capable of doing.
Mazdax605 wrote:mazdeuce wrote: I see the perfect opportunity to make a fiberglass hood and battery door here. Make copies of the pieces on the green truck and you're golden.Yeah that is not anything I am capable of doing.
Talk to JCREWE on the EVIL Forum, he is well versed in vintage glass reproduction. Check with the Ricans, have someone bring it over when they ship the cars over for the Pan-Americans at ATCO.
I didn't know you got another one! Nice score!!! If they are in fact those GM truck wheels, you should be able to find one at a local junkyard. Try RC Truck Sales in Brockton across from Everett's. Rimpro will probably fix that too.
I've seen people on NASIOC take beat up wheels and fill curb damage with epoxies and sand/paint the wheels with success. If they are polished, finding a replacement or sending it to get fixed is probably the best bet. I'm in the same boat with one of my Trans Am WS6 Snowflakes.
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