VTO Le Mans Wheel.. anybody try these yet?

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Has anybody purchased a set of the new VTO LeMans wheels.

I am very interested in these, as they are clones of the BRE racing wheel. I would love to see these on a Z before I sell my panasports...

[ron carter]

Adam Carolla has a set on his BRE roadster, they look very good!

[ron carter]

http://www.adamcarolla.com/CarCastBl...ip-pt2-racing/

[tlorber]

This is the same car. My cousin shot this at Laguna Seca a couple weeks ago.



I know its not a Z, but its as close as I can find.

Ron, are you running in Coronado this year?

[ron carter]

I will not be racing this year, I will be crewing for my friend Duane Norman and his 510...

[Zedyone_kenobi]

those would look just as close to perfect as you can get on my silver Z!!!!

[Dave Patten]

They come in 15x6 +3 and +24 offsets and 15x7 +0 & +18 offsets.

The 15x7 +0 would fit great on the Z. I wish I had pictures on a Z, but these wheels only became available mid August.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Dave I am still flip flopping on whether to get these. I would love to show them off on my Z for you. I think they do look spectacular. Do you know which size Adam is running on his Roadster. Are they 6" or 7" wide. They look fairly shallow. What are the roadster offsets

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Dave I am still flip flopping on whether to get these. I would love to show them off on my Z for you. I think they do look spectacular. Do you know which size Adam is running on his Roadster. Are they 6" or 7" wide. They look fairly shallow.

[Zealous]

I love those wheels and want to see them on a Z as I am also considering, since there are just too many panasports out there. How do they hold up on the track?

[Zedyone_kenobi]

I would wager that if they held up to Adams Roadster around Laguna Seca...they would be fine for us.

[Hunter260Z]

Nice looking wheels. In my neck of the woods, there are very few Panasports. What the price on the VTO.

[Dave Patten]

Let me see if I can answer a few questions here.

The LeMans wheels on Adam Corrolla's Roadster are 15x7 +18 offset.

VTO uses the same "blank" for all wheels of the same rim size and width. The offset is adjusted by machining the hub mounting (inside) surface of the wheel.The face of a 15x7 +0 will look the same as a 15x7 +18. The only noticable difference between the different offset wheels will be the +18 lugnuts are recessed less into the lug bores.

As for durability, I use the VTO Retro 4 13x7 +0 wheels on my Datsun 1200 racecar with no issues. The wheels are factory tested and comply with DOT, JWL and VIA standards. These wheels are low pressure injection molded for added strength and durability, not gravity cast like the original LeMans and Libre wheels were.

All VTO wheels are sold with center caps, lug nuts and valve stems included. The 15x7 LeMans wheels are sold for $180/each plus S&H online at www.FutoFab.com

FutoFab as an authorized dealer of VTO Wheels can drop ship any order directly from VTO's warehouse, saving time and money on delivery.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

would it be possible to order one wheel? Or do you only sell sets? I have to see these in person before I drop nearly 800 bucks on a set of rims that I may not like as much as my panasports...

[Arne]

If I were in the market for new 15" wheels for my car (and I'm obviously not), these would be at the top of the list. I'd much rather have them over Panasports, if only because Panasports are so common. Although I strongly suspect Panasports might be better for track use.

[Dave Patten]

would it be possible to order one wheel? Or do you only sell sets? I have to see these in person before I drop nearly 800 bucks on a set of rims that I may not like as much as my panasports...

Yes, one wheel is no problem. I just shipped one 15x6 +3 Retro 4 to a gentleman in Texas to test fit on his '65 Mustang 6 cylinder.

I'm sure once you see a LeMans first hand you will order the rest of the set.

[Zealous]

Zedyone_kenobi, please keep us up to date if you do this and post pics

[Zedyone_kenobi]

I have you in mind buddy!

[Dave Patten]

Hey Zedyone,
Check your PM, I sent you a reply to think over.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

I replied to you Dave.

Yes folks, I am going to have pics of some VTO LeMans on my Z in the not to distant future. MANY pics to come.

By the way, everybody here should support Dave @ futofab if they can... his customer service is amazing....

now if only they would make a 14x7 LeMans as well. snicker!

[Blue]

Nice wheels here but wrong bolt pattern:

http://www.axiswheels.com/view-wheel...ry/og-oldskool

http://www.axiswheels.com/view-wheel-gallery/og-sakura

http://www.axiswheels.com/view-wheel-gallery/ogsan

[Arne]

Nice wheels here but wrong bolt pattern:

http://www.axiswheels.com/view-wheel...ry/og-oldskool

http://www.axiswheels.com/view-wheel-gallery/og-sakura

http://www.axiswheels.com/view-wheel-gallery/ogsan.....

Not a fan.

[beermanpete]

We finally got our new VTO wheels installed.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Those look great!
Thanks foe posting

[Zealous]

Thanks for the post

[Zedyone_kenobi]

what size lug nuts do Z' have
I will be ordering my VTO's this week... but I have no idea what lugs to specify on the order form.

[LeonV]

M12x1.25 but that's off the top of my head. I'm sure someone can verify.

[Dave Patten]

M12x1.25 but that's off the top of my head. I'm sure someone can verify.

100% correct.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Okay, folks, a set of 15x7 VTO Lemans are on the way to be fit onto my silver Z!!!!

well by a set I only bought 2 wheels. But I am thinking I will love them and will order two more very quickly.

Dave,

would it be possible to offer Z stickers like MSA does for the centercaps. That would be a nice little touch.

[Dave Patten]

I am not sure if VTO has Datsun or Nissan badges available at this time. It was being discussed. I do know the "Z" emblem is not available.

As an option, the VTO center cap badges can be replaced. They are 45mm or 1.75" in diameter. There are several dome badges sold on-line that will nicely fit.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

good to know Dave! I am just hoping like heck that the centercaps fit over the front axle grease caps.

[Arne]

FWIW - I've not been able to find any 'Z' emblems in 1.75" in the past. (If you find some, let me know.) It's not too hard to find 'DATSUN' emblems in that size, though.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

I think it would be a very simple exercise to get some made. Any sign/vinyl shop could do it.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

My NEW VTO rims arrived today. They are simply beautiful! I will get them mounted as soon as possible.

Dave I may be ordering two more pretty quickly. If I order Monday, can I get them here by Friday. Car show on Saturday would love to show them off on. Naturally I have to see them on the car first, but they are beautiful!



Ordered a set of these to see how close they come to fitting!

[Arne]

Looks like the same Z emblems I have on my center caps. If so, they are 1.5" diameter. Can be used on a 1.75" recess if you carefully center them. Not perfect, but still good looking.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

If they are the MSA ones, then yes, they are the same ones. But for 6 bucks I thought it was a no lose try.
Arne, the VTO Lemans, look AMAZING. As soon as I get my car off jackstands from the gas tank and evap tank redo, I will get some pics up! You will really appreciate them!

[Arne]

Yes, mine are the MSA emblems too. So same fit as mine.

And yes, I believe I will appreciate them. Probably not enough to talk me out of selling my car, but I guess I can't rule that out...

[JLPurcell]

Les, (Classic Datsun Motorsports) and I discussed the possible use of the VTO LeMans wheels on my project, (1972 complete restoration 110 red with white interior of which I am the original owner), last night. My Z had the AR Libres on it when I purchased it in 72. We planned to restore the Libres for the project. We have not made a decision as of yet on the VTO's vs the Libres. The 14" wheels do limit your tire choices. I contacted Hoosier today to see if there "WET" racing tires would be an option. I do like the look of the VTO's but wanted to keep the car as it was originally. My car goes on the rack for re-assembly on Tuesday so we have some time to think about the Tires/Wheels. I also have an early set of Mini Lites in my attic but once again they are 14" limiting tire choice. Les also noted that Adams roadster was running a set of VTO's.

[Mike B]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned that BRE are also selling these VTO LeMans style wheels for the same price and they come with nice BRE logo center caps http://www.bre2.net/mm5/merchant.mvc..._lemans_wheels. I got one of the first sets in late August (15x7, zero offset) and the Brocks' took some pictures of them on my blue car. I believe they planned to use them their website, or maybe a newsletter, but I haven't seen anything yet. I know they have been busy with other matters since then, so it may not be a high priority right now. Here is a photo I took with my cell photo during their photo shoot and a few more I took afterwards. I plan to use the wheels on my white car after I'm finished putting it back together.

-Mike

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Those 205/50's look pretty darn good.

I am guessing you are on stock suspension then?

[Mike B]

I am guessing you are on stock suspension then?

Yes, I am pretty certain that is the case, but I have never had it apart to confirm that.

-Mike

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Well after 2 years of sitting on the fence. I have purchased a set of rims for the Datsun. Well 2 of them anyway.I could not get any really good pics, I was limited to the garage since it is finally raining here in Texas!! But I think they look quite amazing. I am running 195/60/15's on them. I may be able to get away with more tire, not sure. But these are a bit lighter than my panasports at the worst they are the same.

I need to get some full profile pictures for Dave Pattern @ FutoFab. I am happy to report that Neither wheel nee
ded an ounce of weight on the balance machine. A testament to both the Bridgestone and the VTO wheel. OR a completely incompetent tire balancer...We will see. Anyway, without further waiting...







I fully realize these pictures suck. But Give me a day or two. I will need to get the car running. I still am missing a vent hose to the evap tank, so the car has no gas in it. I get tired of pushing it around for pics. I will most likely be ordering 2 more wheels. These look amazing.

[Mike B]

Those 205/50's look pretty darn good.

They are 205/60's actually.

[Zealous]

Thanks for the pics these look great!

[Rainman]

Those wheels look fantastic on your car, great choice!!

[Zedyone_kenobi]

THanks, I have ordered 2 more. I think I will put some R compounds on the Panasports for autocross and the occasional track day.

[JLPurcell]

Les shared these photos with me as I consider wheels for my project.

[Dave Patten]

Jerry,
The wheels on the Roadster are 15x7 +18 offset. These look exactly the same as 15x7 +0 offset wheels when veiwed from the front.

All 15x7 VTO wheels start out from the same blanks, the offset is adjusted by machining the correct depth on the hub mounting surface not by using a different casting.

[Arne]

Dave, so you are saying that the zero offset wheels have a considerably thicker mounting pad?

[Zedyone_kenobi]

It would seem so if they all start out life as a +0.

Also it would seem the VTO sold by BRE are lighter than the ones on Adams and My car. Maybe it is just lighting.

[Mike B]

Also it would seem the VTO sold by BRE are lighter than the ones on Adams and My car. Maybe it is just lighting.

It's the lighting. My pictures were taken outside on a very sunny day. Adam's roadster also has the VTO's sold by BRE. He just doesn't run the center caps, since they aren't allowed on a track car.

-Mike

[Dave Patten]

...Also it would seem the VTO sold by BRE are lighter than the ones on Adams and My car. Maybe it is just lighting.

The LeMans wheel in the BRE picture could very well be of a picture of the pre-production wheel.

VTO had a sample LeMans wheel done in a slightly lighter gray than the final color used in production. I was involved in the color selection process and was given pictures of both for comment. The current color was unanumously selected by those querried.

The LeMans was created as a colaboration between BRE and VTO so it wouldn't surprise me that the BRE picture could be of the lighter color pre-production wheel.

All LeMans wheels being sold are the same color, regardless of the source. And yes, lighting has a HUGE effect on the color appearance of these wheels. They look much better outside in natural light, IMO.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

I will get you some outside pictures as soon as I can get the damned 3/4" vent hose on my car so I can finish my evap tank installation!

[Dave Patten]

Dave, so you are saying that the zero offset wheels have a considerably thicker mounting pad?

Yes, The center section on the +0 offset is thicker than the +18, but this is just at the hub area. The spokes are the same depth/thickness as is the rim "shell".

[JLPurcell]

Yes, The center section on the +0 offset is thicker than the +18, but this is just at the hub area. The spokes are the same depth/thickness as is the rim "shell".

I have a set of racing Mini Lites from the early 70's and they were treated the same way. One casting machined to the needed offseet. JLP

[WingZr0]

Yes, The center section on the +0 offset is thicker than the +18, but this is just at the hub area. The spokes are the same depth/thickness as is the rim "shell".

Does the same hold true in regards to the spokes if ONLY the rim size is changed?
Per say the difference between a 13, 15 and 16 inch rime size are the spokes the same thickness, depth etc?

[Zedyone_kenobi]

These Lemans only come in 15x6 or 15x7. I would have sprung for some 14x7's if they had any!

[JLPurcell]

These Lemans only come in 15x6 or 15x7. I would have sprung for some 14x7's if they had any!

I have two sets of 14's Original Libres and Original Mini Lites. The problem with the 14's is tire selection. To get a good set of performance tires you have to go to a race spec tire and even then you are limited if you plan to drive on the street. That is the only reason I am considering the 15's. Just my 2 cents. jlp

[Zedyone_kenobi]

You are right, I should have said, the VTO LeMans only come in 15"

I completely agree. That is the same reason I wanted to go 16" a while ago like Frank did. I can get autocross quality street tires in a 16". I can barely get summer tires in a 15", and only race tires in a 14". My biggest problem is my width kills me. With my stock body work and my tokiko springs, I am limited to a 195/60/15. I guess I could go 205/50/15, but that gets REALLY short. I may puta set of those on my panasports for autocross days.

[Dave Patten]

Does the same hold true in regards to the spokes if ONLY the rim size is changed?
Per say the difference between a 13, 15 and 16 inch rime size are the spokes the same thickness, depth etc?

I cannot say with any certainty that the spokes are the same thickness between different diameter wheels (we are now talking Classic 8's or Retro 4's as the LeMans is only available in 15"). Likely they are not as each rim diameter is individually designed based on the load characteristics it needs to withstand.

What I can say is the physical dimensions/appearance, veiwed square on of the outer wheel surface are the same for all the LeMans wheels. They all have the same spoke shape, lip dimension, amount of paint vs. polished aluminum. The only noticable difference between a +0 and a +18 is how far the lug nuts recess into the lug bore. The bores are shallower on the +18 than the +0 due to where the lug seats have to be positioned when machining for the different offsets. Other than that the wheels look identical.

[WingZr0]

Thanks Dave thats the answer i was looking for. No matter wat size it is as long as they look the same. Thank you

[Zedyone_kenobi]

I finally got the evaporator tank connected and got 7 gallons in the tank, so I was able to get the car out of the driveway and out on the road.

Here are some much better pictures of the VTO LeMans.

Now if I can just figure out why my NEW gas sending unit is not putting out any readings above empty! GRRR

before


after

[Zealous]

These look awesome thank you!

[Zedyone_kenobi]

I think I will try to take some pics without the center caps ala John Morton and see what it looks like...

[Topz]

These wheels would be great in 16x7.....:-)

Does anyone know if they will be produced in that size......me like!

[Arne]

I think they'd look great on your car, Terje. In fact, if I had not sold my car to you, I might have bought a set of these by now.

[esmit208]

As well I like the wheels but I agree with TOPZ yes they would be very tempting to buy a set if they were in a 16X7 diameter and width. Tire selection is very good and 16" wheels and tires fill up the wheel well nicely. 35 series tires or even 40 series have no clearance issues with adjustable suspension.

[LeonV]

As well I like the wheels but I agree with TOPZ yes they would be very tempting to buy a set if they were in a 16X7 diameter and width. Tire selection is very good and 16" wheels and tires fill up the wheel well nicely. 35 series tires or even 40 series have no clearance issues with adjustable suspension.

A 225/50-16 should fit fine on a 16X7 and have no clearance issue, even with stock suspension. Having the correct offset goes without saying.

[ksbeta]

Looks great! Want to donate those Panasports to my '71, which is soon to join the ranks of cars with Eiji's motors?

[BTF/PTM]

Hi everyone,

I'll bump the thread to take on a comment. Like many of us, I think these VTO LeMans wheels are freaking sweet on a z. In my case, I think a set of 15x7s with 205/50 or 205/55 tires would be about perfect. Now here are the questions, the first one much more important than the second.

1) Does anyone have a set of these wheels, 15" size, and the 300zx rotor/toyota truck caliber upgrade for the front brakes? I'm interested in this upgrade to modernize the brakes, and obviously the wheels need to clear.

2) My car's trim is entirely darked out, all polished metal/chrome is powdercoated satin black. Is anyone here skilled enough to do a quick image for me of a 240z with the VTO LeMans's in satin black?

Thanks everyone =)