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I just received this letter from the president of Halibrand. I spoke with him today and he indicated that Halibrand would handle the tooling if we could get a commitment for as little as 30 of each wheel size.
Anyone interested in these new Cobra III wheels please contact me by direct email. Pictures are available on Todd's post fron Discount Tire Direct. http://www.ffcars.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=011073
Slightly larger quantities (around 50 of each size) would POSSIBLY result in some serious price breaks.
Please let me hear from you soon.
CLARIFICATION:
Tooling costs would apply for specific sizes that might not be usable to the general public, such as a 17X11' with a 7.65" backspace to fit rear IRS with 315's.
After I talked to him on the phone he made it clear that the tooling costs to produce a 9.5" from their 9" and a 10.5" from their 10" would be absorbed by Halibrand if the minimum unit count could be met.
It sure would be nice to have 9", 9.5", 10", 10.5" - 17 and 18 inch wheel available. All we have to come up with is a series of back spaces that are acceptable to Halibrand as suitable for "general" offering. I believe we can do this.
With FFR permission if over 50 units can be commited to the center would have a custom emblem such as "FFR" of the FFR "5". Now that would be nice.
Please keep this post going and lets try to find a way to make it work.
(letter)
Dear Craig,
Several days ago, you asked Karen if Halibrand would be producing additional sizes of our Cobra III wheels. She indicated you have an interest in
purchasing the 17x9 and 17x11 inch size wheels and are in contact with other Cobra kit car builders that may also be interested in these wheels. If this is correct, we may be able to help you in the near future. This depends on whether or not the offset and/or backspacing you require will work with our plans.
As you may know, Halibrand made the original 15 inch wheels for the Ford Cobra cars in the sixties. Due to today's poor availability of performance tires in the 15 and 16 inch sizes, we are looking to produce new 17 inch wheels at sizes and offsets that will work for the original application. These wheels will be made available either as a knock-off or bolt on application. The original 15 inch Cobra's were 15x71/2 for the front and 15x91/2 for the rear. Our current plans call for producing 17x8 and 17x10 inch wheels for the original replacement. Since we are licensed by Ford to use the Cobra name, the 17 inch wheels on an original or reproduction Cobra will find great value.
We will build these wheels with modern low pressure castings, like the new versions you have already seen. The drawing are complete with an estimated availability around March 2003. It is possible to make the tooling to accommodate a 17x81/2 and 17x101/2 inch versions. The extra 1/2 inch is the maximum we can build into the tooling. That means we would be able to make both sizes depending on the offset requirements as stated earlier.
We can not build molds to produce the low 30 each quantity in specific sizes you are interested. Unless you are willing to upfront a tooling charge. I don't know what offsets you require, but it may be possible to hold the tooling charges down, if made as companion tooling to the molds we currently have in planning.
Please email me with your application, offsets and backspace requirements you anticipate. If so, Halibrand engineering will look at the tooling to see if it is possible. You should also consider what brake application will be used. Our current 17 inch wheel are set-up to handle the Bear brakes which are larger than the performance Ford offering.
Understand, Halibrand wants to supply wheels for special interest cars, as they have always specialized in this side of the business. To do this, we need all the critical information available to engineer the fitment. Don't worry, any project you may have will be held in strict confidence.
Thank You for the interest,
Richard J. LeJuerrne~President
Halibrand Engineering Corporation
[ December 13, 2002, 11:22 AM: Message edited by: Rocket Scientist ]
Anyone interested in these new Cobra III wheels please contact me by direct email. Pictures are available on Todd's post fron Discount Tire Direct. http://www.ffcars.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=011073
Slightly larger quantities (around 50 of each size) would POSSIBLY result in some serious price breaks.
Please let me hear from you soon.
CLARIFICATION:
Tooling costs would apply for specific sizes that might not be usable to the general public, such as a 17X11' with a 7.65" backspace to fit rear IRS with 315's.
After I talked to him on the phone he made it clear that the tooling costs to produce a 9.5" from their 9" and a 10.5" from their 10" would be absorbed by Halibrand if the minimum unit count could be met.
It sure would be nice to have 9", 9.5", 10", 10.5" - 17 and 18 inch wheel available. All we have to come up with is a series of back spaces that are acceptable to Halibrand as suitable for "general" offering. I believe we can do this.
With FFR permission if over 50 units can be commited to the center would have a custom emblem such as "FFR" of the FFR "5". Now that would be nice.
Please keep this post going and lets try to find a way to make it work.
(letter)
Dear Craig,
Several days ago, you asked Karen if Halibrand would be producing additional sizes of our Cobra III wheels. She indicated you have an interest in
purchasing the 17x9 and 17x11 inch size wheels and are in contact with other Cobra kit car builders that may also be interested in these wheels. If this is correct, we may be able to help you in the near future. This depends on whether or not the offset and/or backspacing you require will work with our plans.
As you may know, Halibrand made the original 15 inch wheels for the Ford Cobra cars in the sixties. Due to today's poor availability of performance tires in the 15 and 16 inch sizes, we are looking to produce new 17 inch wheels at sizes and offsets that will work for the original application. These wheels will be made available either as a knock-off or bolt on application. The original 15 inch Cobra's were 15x71/2 for the front and 15x91/2 for the rear. Our current plans call for producing 17x8 and 17x10 inch wheels for the original replacement. Since we are licensed by Ford to use the Cobra name, the 17 inch wheels on an original or reproduction Cobra will find great value.
We will build these wheels with modern low pressure castings, like the new versions you have already seen. The drawing are complete with an estimated availability around March 2003. It is possible to make the tooling to accommodate a 17x81/2 and 17x101/2 inch versions. The extra 1/2 inch is the maximum we can build into the tooling. That means we would be able to make both sizes depending on the offset requirements as stated earlier.
We can not build molds to produce the low 30 each quantity in specific sizes you are interested. Unless you are willing to upfront a tooling charge. I don't know what offsets you require, but it may be possible to hold the tooling charges down, if made as companion tooling to the molds we currently have in planning.
Please email me with your application, offsets and backspace requirements you anticipate. If so, Halibrand engineering will look at the tooling to see if it is possible. You should also consider what brake application will be used. Our current 17 inch wheel are set-up to handle the Bear brakes which are larger than the performance Ford offering.
Understand, Halibrand wants to supply wheels for special interest cars, as they have always specialized in this side of the business. To do this, we need all the critical information available to engineer the fitment. Don't worry, any project you may have will be held in strict confidence.
Thank You for the interest,
Richard J. LeJuerrne~President
Halibrand Engineering Corporation
[ December 13, 2002, 11:22 AM: Message edited by: Rocket Scientist ]
