Rota Wheels Luv um!!

[SpiderJim]

Finally got my new 7"x15" Rota RB wheels installed. Got them from Cal Mark (http://www.allisonsautomotive.com/) who is very competitive with anyone on ebay and you know we get the correct stuff from him. He also can provide a new slender lug nut that allows for no damage installation and removal. Spacing and offsets are perfect for the car. Really makes a difference in handling with no rubbing or change other than very positive feel. Just luvum

[htchevyii]

Looks SWEET!

[ga.spyder]

Those are very nice looking wheels.Almost like a polished Panasport.The car looks great!
Craig

[So Cal Mark]

beautiful! what size tires did you settle on?

[SpiderJim]

Thanks. I used 195/55R15 Champiro Sports that are only good for summer and rain. Really nice looking V pattern, lower profile and very quiet. This brings the finished combo to about the same diameter as the original. I can actually turn my steering now as the other tire where thirty year old originals!!.

[ga.spyder]

Jim,I have never heard of Champiro tires,Do you know if they are a manufacturer ,or who builds them for them?Good looking tire and the wheels are sweeeeet.
Craig

[SpiderJim]

Craig. Not sure who makes them I think it may be a Goodyear third party brand as I got them from a goodyear dealer here in Campbell River BC. Paid $95 per tire plus installation of $20 per. Tires in Canada are a rip off compared to what I would pay in vegas and in Vegas I get free install and balance for life. But I really like the ride. I had difficulty turning the wheels with the smaller originals but these are quite easy and smooth as silk.

[ga.spyder]

Jim,I did a little research on the tires and I think you are correct.They appear to be mfg. by Goodyear.Nice ride! Good luck,
Craig

[Zebbidog]

Man...that is a good looking set up! I have been thinking the Rota wheels are the way I want to take my Sophie. Seeing yours almost clinches it for me.
Good looking car!

[SpiderJim]

Thanks much for the compliments. The car is a 32K miles and never seen the rain 80 Fi with zero rust of any kind. In fact the PO would not deliver it to me if it was raining. Lucky for me it was sunny that day!. So well worth putting these wheels on. I wanted a Panasport classical look but with a lower profile modern tire. Mark worked with me to help make the decision and sent pics of his customer cars that he had put them on. So a no brainer for me. The wheels are very light compared to the iron cross originals and with the new tires it just feels really agile and very smooth. I will be doing the same to my number two 81 Fi come spring after I get it painted with the exact same setup. I always felt a bit embarrassed when I saw it with the original dinky 13" wheels and skinny tires. Always reminded me of a guy with a muscular torso and skinny legs in other words somewhat top heavy. Now it looks and feels italian.

[Fiat88]

Sweet rims! What color are they? Also, how do they compare to pansport rims?

[So Cal Mark]

those are the silver wheels, weight is 14 lbs. Not sure what a Panasport weighs

[1979FiatSpider]

Thanks to the list. I narrowed down my search for rims and found the one's that I was looking for. Two of them arrived yesterday.
SWEET! Now I just have to narrow done the correct tire size. Hmmm..... From the look of SpiderJim's 195/55R15 I'm thinking I might want a tad more width to help "protect" the rims. Just thinking out loud. Or will it rub? decisions decisions........

[beachboy]

1979 spider, where did you get those two rims from.

[1979FiatSpider]

After a lot of debating, wheel adapters, no wheel adapters, talking with local tire out-lets, most where against the wheel adapters and some where no help when I mentioned that I need the 4X98mm bolt pattern.
Let alone the whole hub centric issues. I went with the North American Distributor listed on the Rota site. I'm fairly new to the list but see/hear many good things about Mark (list member) from:http://www.allisonsautomotive.com he also carries these rims and can get them to you. I stuck with the stock 4X98mm bolt pattern and the +15mm offset. As others had mentioned on the list. I usually don't splurge so much but the look of some after-market rims just sets the vehicle off. What's funny is UPS dropped this set on the front porch but is holding back for signature on the other set. They should be swinging back by today so I'll have four.