Custom wheel companies have introduced a number of stylish new models in recent months, including the following: American Racing
Aero: one-piece, alloy, front-wheel-drive wheel.
Sizes: 1627 and 1727.
Python: one-piece, alloy, rear-wheel-drive wheel for light trucks and sport-utility vehicles. Available in two finishes—fully polished or ``Euro-liquid'' silver.
Sizes: 1528, 1628 and 1728.
Speedster: one-piece, alloy, high-offset, front-wheel-drive wheel. Available in fully polished or ``Euro-liquid'' silver finish.
Sizes: 1325.5, 1426, 1527 and 1627.
Street Hawk SS: licensed by General Motors Corp.; rear-wheel-drive billet wheel with five-spoke design and covered lugs. Each spoke features the Chevy ``bow tie'' emblem.
Size: 1728.
Contact: American Racing Custom Wheels, Dept. TB, 19067 S. Reyes Ave., Rancho Dominguez, Calif. 90221. Phone: (310) 635-7806. Fax: (310) 537-6762. Internet: www.americanracing.com.
Arelli
Assassyn (Type 190): chrome-finished alloy wheel for cars and sport-utility vehicles; weight load rating of 1,900 lbs.
Pasha (Type 160): alloy wheel for luxury coupes and sedans.
Vetta (Type 170): chrome-finished alloy wheel for coupes, sedans, mini-trucks and vans.
Sizes (for all three wheels): 162 7.5, 1727.5, 1828.5 and 2028.5.
Contact: Arelli Alloy Wheels, Dept. TB, 4525 W. Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif. 90016. Phone: (800) 758-7830 or (213) 733-0403.
Enkei
Katana: one-piece, chrome-finished aluminum wheel featuring a bio-mechanical design and a soft rim channel; aimed at high-performance and custom front-wheel-drive passenger vehicle market; combines multi-spoke design with organic shapes; tuner caps available in several colors; part of Enkei's Street Series.
Size: one 17-inch size.
Sport Series: a line of inexpensive, silver-finished wheels targeted at the entry-level tuner market and comprising:
Shogun: directional spokes and exposed tuner lugs.
Shutoko: web design.
Suzuka: split five-spoke design.
Size: 1727 (all three).
Contact: Enkei International Inc., Dept. TB, 32400 Industrial Drive, Madison Heights, Mich. 48071. Phone: (800) 875-3100 or (248) 585-3100. Fax: (248) 585-3173. Internet: www.enkei.com.
Konig
Caffeine: five-spoke design with a multi-piece look; silver finish with a machine lip.
Sizes: 15- to 18-inch sizes.
Octane: split five-spoke design; spoke profile protrudes outward for a ``tuner'' look; bright silver finish.
Sizes: 15- to 17-inch sizes.
Reign: five-spoke design with silver finish and machine-polished lip.
Sizes: 13- to 18-inch sizes.
Contact: Konig Motoring Accessories, Dept. TB, 487 W. John St., Hicksville, N.Y. 11801. Phone: (516) 822-5700. Fax: (516) 822-5704. E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.konigwheels.com.
Mille Miglia
Emotion: multi-spoke design with wave-like spokes radiating from the wheel's center; silver finish with clear coat.
Sizes: 15- to 18-inch sizes.
Contact: The Tire Rack, Dept. TB, 771 W. Chippewa Ave., South Bend, Ind. 46614. Phone: (800) 428-8355 or (219) 287-2345. Fax: (219) 236-7707. Internet: www.tirerack.com.
Rota
Stage 5: cold-formed, lightweight, die-cast, alloy wheel for import performance cars; five-spoke design with exposed racing lugs; highly polished outer rim accented with polished racing bolts; available in silver or polished finishes.
Sizes: 1727 to fit 42100, 52 100, 424.5 and 524.5 bolt patterns with offsets to +45 millimeters.
Contact: Jacob Motorsports, Dept. TB, 9630 Black Mountain Road, San Diego, Calif. 92126. Phone: (888) 745-2262. Fax: (619) 689-0784.
TSW
Revo: die-cast, lightweight alloy wheel with an aluminum center ring; six-spoke design features three-dimensional angled spokes and rim; available with exposed lugs or a covered faceplate and in silver or chrome finishes.
Sizes: 1527, 1627, 1727, 1728, 1827 and 1828 in four- or five-lug patterns with offset to +40 millimeters.
Super Gaboon Viper: die-cast, lightweight alloy wheel; five-spoke design reaches out beyond the outer rim; available in competition silver or chrome finishes.
Sizes: 1527, 1627, 1627.5, 1727, 1728, 1827 and 1828 in four-or five-lug patterns with offset to +40 millimeters.
Contact: TSW Alloy Wheels, Dept. TB, 311 E. Alton Ave., Santa Ana, Calif. 92707. Phone: (800) 760-4254. Fax: (714) 435-1568. Internet: www.tswnet.com.
Ultra
Bullet (Type 66): light truck wheel designed for pickups, vans and sport-utility vehicles; available in chrome or polished finishes.
Sizes: 1527, 1528, 15210, 162 8 and 1728 with bolt patterns and offsets appropriate for light trucks.
Casso (Type 133): sweeping design meant to invoke the image of an artist's brush strokes; deep chrome finish.
Sizes: 1627, 1727.5 and 182 8.5.
Koge (Type 118): multi-spoke design intended to draw attention by reflecting light; deep chrome finish.
Sizes: 1627 and 1727.
Zebec (Type 121): design inspired by a sailing schooner; deep chrome finish.
Sizes: 1627 and 1727.5.
Contact: Ultra Wheels, Dept. TB, 6300 Valley View Ave., Buena Park, Calif. 90620. Phone: (888) 321-4456 or (714) 994-1111. Fax: (714) 994-0723.