whats the deal with panasports?

[nking79]

I'm still new here and it may be a dumb questions, but but is it with Panasports. Everyone here seems to love them. Don't get me wrong - they look great, but they seem a little costly.

Is it that they're one of the only wheels that fit our wonderful cars? Are they made well? Whats the deal?

[dat68s]

I don't know anything about Panasports, but they look very similar to wheels we can get here in Australia called "Superlites", details can be found here: http://www.performancewheels.com.au/sup ... wheels.htm
These look great and are reasonably priced here as they are made here and I am told they will do it in the right offset etc. to suit Roadster although have not confirmed that...
Just my contribution from down under

Stuart

[nking79]

They do look exactly the same. Any idea of where I can find out how much they cost?

[spl310]

Well, time for me to stick my neck out here. The Panasport/Superlight/Minilight wheels just dont do it for me. I never cared for that style. The Empi's are really neat, and I like the Libre wheels too. There are several wheels that work, but the ones I mentioned are the most common "period" alloy wheels. Aluminum slots should go in there too. My suggestion is to look at wheels that you like and see if they or similar ones are available to fit the Roadster. The main page (311s.org) has the link to a good article on wheels...

[nking79]

Libra's look good too.

What do the three numbers stand for? - 185/70/14 - Also, is this the right numbers for a 68 1600?

[Dave]

The 185/70/14 refers to the dimensions of the tire. 185 is the width of the tire in millimeters. 70 is the height of the tire when measured from the outer edge of the wheel to the tread. The number is a % of the tire width. In your case, 70% of 185mm, or, 129.5mm. The 14 refers to the diameter of wheel the tires fits in inches. Your tire is for a 14 inch wheel.

I'll let someone else comment on whether or not this is the stock size as I don't have my shop manual handy at the moment.

[spl310]

Well, here is where the fun begins! The stock size was a 5.60x14 bias ply tire. This numbering system was replaced by the letter system, and if I recall correctly, that size was roughly an A78x14 (78 is the aspect ratio). This is probably closest to a 155/75/14. Not a lot of tire....

Don't take this as gospel - I am not a tire guy....

[Minh]

Well, time for me to stick my neck out here.
My suggestion is to look at wheels that you like and see if they or similar ones are available to fit the Roadster. The main page (311s.org) has the link to a good article on wheels...

I'm with Sid on this issue too. If you like the look and they fit; you're done!

BTW, the the alluminum slotted mags are also refered to as kidney bean mags.

My Take/Opinion:
For myself, I'm aiming to go with a real knockoffs rims like the one on the 427 Cobra. Same era look but in alluminum, not magnesium... However, they are not cheap at all. I like my rims to have a little lip for the deep dish look. However, Roadser are a rear wheel drive car with a front wheel drive offset - go figure.

Until then, I'll be using the stock rims and chrome wire hubcaps that came with the car.

[Revbang]

With all the tire talk I took a look at mine. I just bought it this past Christmas and hadn't really looked. To my surprise (I thought they looked pretty wide), the front and back are different.

Front: 205/60/14
Back: 195/60/14

Front only rubs occasionally when backing up and turning hard. Back appears to rub by looking at the tires, probably when hitting a big bump, but I've never heard it.

The rims are obviously not stock, although they have the stock hub caps. Those hub caps will never get dinged as deep as those rims are. Perhaps Z wheels?

The front tires look great on the car, but I won't be able to rotate the tires will I, except side to side. Any thoughts? Thanks, Mark

[dat68s]

They do look exactly the same. Any idea of where I can find out how much they cost?

I remember buying them direct from the factory about 10 years ago for my Euro Ford Escort at the time and I think they cost (in 13X6) about A$200/wheel (can't remember exactly) so pretty cheap really... If you are interested I will see what I can find out for you.
Stuart

[DatsunBucky]

Well, here is where the fun begins! The stock size was a 5.60x14 bias ply tire. This numbering system was replaced by the letter system, and if I recall correctly, that size was roughly an A78x14 (78 is the aspect ratio). This is probably closest to a 155/75/14. Not a lot of tire....

Don't take this as gospel - I am not a tire guy....

I'm not much of a tire guy, either. Actually, if you multiply 5.60 times 25.4, you get 142.24. I would think maybe a 145/75-14 would probably be closer to stock size. My first replacement tires were Goodyear Redlines, D70-14, and they were wider than the stockers. Bias ply, but they had more grip, and those red lines looked cool. When I went to radials, the sidewall would rub on the rear inner fender panel because of the deflection in the sidewall under cornering. But still more grip. Goodyear Bluestreak Racing Tires. 22.5/9.0-14. Ahhhhhh, wonderful, mah-velous, almost never-ending grip! Don't ever try racing tires, because street tires will never again be good enough.

BTW, you want oversteer? Try street tires in the rear, racing tires in the front, a limited slip, and a rear sway bar. O...M...G!:shock: Oversteer at 30 mph on even gentle curves. Wasn't even fun. Why, I remember the time...

What?? I was rambling again? Oops. Sorry.

[spl310]

You are probably right about the width thing. Sounds good anyway!

On the blue streaks, I have a set of never used Sports Car Special race slicks. About the size you mentioned as I recall. I will never use them though - too wide for the stock fenders...

[Sloloco]

Ultralights are equivalent to Panasports overseas. This is why most old skool mini guy’s run the Ultralights. Like most aftermarket companies, Panasport made a name here years ago in the racing world and have been riding the success ever since.