http://www.rocketracingwheels.com/products/rocket-strike-polished.html 15s available April 1. Larger diameter sizes available Fall '11. Haven't seen many single rib Raider style wheels in a while. The old man had them on a '63 409 back in the day. I guess all I need now is to find that car....
Those aren't bad, and $190 each doesn't seem bad either, but personally, if I'm buying brand new wheels, I like the Cragar Eliminators better, and they're only $118 each. If these were two piece, with the chrome steel outer and cast inner like the OG ones were, then I could see them being worth the price, maybe more.
Apples to apples would be the Cragar Racer to these Rocket Strike wheels. Don't know if they are USA made.
I do know that the Cragars are made in Asia ... I asked Cragar directly (and after "losing track" of my first email, answered my second email and admitted that they were made in "Asia"). I know, I know "what isn't nowadays" but at least it's good to know).
i bought a set of the eliminators in grey. they always remind me of a "hot wheels" wheel. goin on my stude pickup when i get home!
I had my son thinking about a set of these for his Stude truck. They are like the ones in my Tattoo. May have to change ideas.
RADER's......I have seen 3 rib........2 rib............and no ribs......? So the Cragars look like a RADER 2 rib? I guess.......look cool any way you slice it....
Rocket wheels are Chinese castings. I used to be a dealer...until they whored themselves out to Summit who will ship them for free leaving absolutely no profit left. Can't compete with those tactics. They are nice wheels for the money. David Coker has staff on the ground overseas keeping quality control within US requirements. And there ya go!
Question to ask. I went on Radirs site an they don't list prices. Has anyone bought any recently, where are they made, and how much difference is there between the real thing and the repops. I've seen a lot of real Radirs and they are pretty nice stuff and available in 5" and 5 1/2" patterns which I do not think the Rockets or Cragars are. If they are US made, how much is your job worth? I say that with a bit of respect for how good some offshore stuff is getting. Check out anything that comes out of the Edelbrock foundry and tell me it's not worth the couple extra bucks which will be quickly forgotten anyway. Not turning this into another Chinese rant, just saying there is definitly a difference.
Nice first post - Maybe, just maybe you should read this and play along http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44274
I love the American aspect of the company Edelbrock. Why do my re-issued, curved script valve covers have JAPAN cast inside of them? Weird. Rocket's "Radar" wheel is pretty damn accurate as is Cragar's HURST looking wheel. Two of my favorites. It's too bad they're made overseas, but I don't blame them for doing so, as for the market they (Rocket and Cragar) are going after. American workers actually want to be paid for their work. I'm proud to represent Real Rodder's Wheels here on the HAMB. They are pricey, but when you want the highest quality, new, American made wheels with Halibrands lineage back to Ted, well, these are as close as you'll get.
Real Rodders and Radirs are both made in America in the same foundry in Santa Ana Ca been there seen them being poured into the mold. I know ill be buying American made parts for my American hot rod as long as I can dont care how nice chineese crap is I'd rather keep an American employeed.
I always look for real original wheels. Usually much cheaper than repops. The problem with Radirs is they peel. I just picked up two sets of nice original Fentons and Ansens both sets are 5 spokes for $300! Last year, I picked up some never mounted 1960's Mickey Thompson Halibrand style wheels with brand new bias tires for $50 for the set. Around $600 for re-productions does not make sense to me. They do look nice though!
the radirs made today are us made. they also use a different alloy so they shine brighter and don't need to be polished as often. i have had four sets of them and never had a problem.
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