15" Replica Fulvia Cromodora by Group 4 Wheels

[group4wheels]

Hi All,

My name is Jonathan Sage and I'm the owner of Group 4 Wheels. We arrived on the market last year and our first wheel was a replica of the Cromodora CD68 which was originally produced for the Fiat 131 Abarth.

We are currently in the process of bringing to the market a 15" replica (14" OE) of the Cromodora used on the Alfa Romeo Montreal/105 series cars.

We appreciate the safety ramifications of using old magnesium wheels and tyre supply problems that using a 14" wheel brings, this is why we looking into bringing to the market a 15" replica of the Fulvia wheel originally manufactured by Cromodora. All other dimensions, ET and PCD remain as original.

This will be a small production run, initially of around 60 wheels.

Normal retail price for these wheels would be around £280 per wheel, if there is enough interest then I'd like to bring this down to £249.

I've included a couple of CAD drawing and would appreciate your thoughts.

I can be contacted via: info@group4wheels.com or +44 (0)7971 988 735


Regards


Jonathan Sage

group4wheels.com

[Ed Levin]

I wouldn't be in the market myself--I'll stick with the original 13"--but I think it's great that you're doing this, and I hope you're successful with it.

[racing]

Why do you decide 15" replica instead of 14" OE like original. Believe thata lot of owner´s get in trouble
Technical Control Board.

regards Andreas

[fulvia a.i.]

Quote:. "All other dimensions, ET and PCD remain as original".

please elucidate for us (me) dunces , the meaning of

ET ? PCD ?

[Peter de Wit]

Hey Jonathan,

Unbelievable to see you here on the Fulvia forum. Last time we were in contact was way back in Belgium.

Good to hear you are manufacturing the Abarth wheels. Although I still believe the easiest way to recognize a replica, is by the wheels. 500hours of work are being invested to replicate a 131 Abarth, but buying the 4000euro's worth of wheels is something everybody 'forgets'.

As for Fulvia's, I am afraid you are not going to see too many people interested in 15in wheels. You replicated the 14in wheel which is from a second series 1600HF. Those wheels are very strong and not the most desirable ones since they are from the least interesting model of the HF series. The first series 1600HF has the same wheels, but then in 13in with too much magnesium in it. Those would be interesting to more I guess. They are homologated and THE competition wheel. Even better would be to make the 13campagnolo's. Those are found on only very few cars and in 5in width. A 6in version was used on competition cars. And replica's for those would easily sell for you indicated price if you ask me.

A general remark is that tyres for 14in wheels are limited and people move to 15in. I believe that is a shame. In Holland you see more GTA's with 15in than 14in wheels. I think the conclusion is that the ones with the 15in aren't GTA's. Never understood the owners....

But I would go for the 6in Campagnolo's. I haven't found a source for them and would definitely want them.

Cheers! Peter

[Ed Levin]

Peter,

I don't think there's much of a market for 13" Fulvia wheels. The only model than used 13" was the Fanalone; all other Fulvias, either S1 or S2 ran 14" wheels.

And 13", whether Cromodora or Campagnolo, have a couple of problems. The first problem I have not confirmed myself, but I am told that 13" wheels won't clear S2 brakes without shaving the calipers. The second problem is that it is very difficult to find good 13" tires; this problem I know very well myself. Because of this, it's actually easier to find either 6 x 13 Campagnolos or Cromodoras than it is to find 5.5 x 14 Cromodoras.

[racing]

Stil-Auto wheels are also used on first serie car´s ( Aftermarket i suppose)
with dimension 5,5 x13

regards Andreas

[Ed Levin]

Aftermarket only.

[racing]

as i supposed.

[Peter de Wit]

Hi Ed,

Would not agree 13 in tires are difficult. I have slicks, intermediates, m&s tires all in 13in.

And you are right about clearance problems with S2 brakes. But that is just a matter of 'shaving'. Not a major issue I would say.

My preference would still be 13in Campagnola's. And the reason I think there would be a market is that people racing these cars need multiple sets of wheels. And those who race use 13in if you ask me.

But I am only viewing it from the race/rally angle. It could be that the daily drivers might be the market to go for. But I would still doubt they would go for 15in.