Home  |  Forums  |  914 Info  |  Blogs
 
914World.com - The fastest growing online 914 community!
 
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way.
Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
 

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

2 Pages V  1 2 >  
 Reply to this topicStart new topic
> How to tell if these are real Riviera wheels.
GeorgeKopf
post Mar 14 2021, 05:57 PM
Post #1


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 172
Joined: 9-February 21
From: Princeton, NJ
Member No.: 25,186
Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
Does anybody know how I can tell if these are real Riviera Wheels or cheap knock offs?Attached Image

Thanks.

George
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Rand
post Mar 14 2021, 06:02 PM
Post #2


Cross Member
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 7,409
Joined: 8-February 05
From: OR
Member No.: 3,573
Region Association: None
I didn't know they made Riviera knockoffs. They are not the most desirable wheels. But I kinda like them with the centers and paddles blacked out and the rims bright.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
bdstone914
post Mar 14 2021, 06:29 PM
Post #3


bdstone914
****

Group: Members
Posts: 4,515
Joined: 8-November 03
From: Riverside CA
Member No.: 1,319
QUOTE(GeorgeKopf @ Mar 14 2021, 04:57 PM) *

Does anybody know how I can tell if these are real Riviera Wheels or cheap knock offs?Attached Image

Thanks.

George


There were several makers of Riviera wheels. I don't know that any were better than others.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
djway
post Mar 14 2021, 08:39 PM
Post #4


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 787
Joined: 16-October 15
From: Riverside
Member No.: 19,266
Region Association: Southern California
IIRC the raised center silver sections on each spoke had a rounded edge on the originals.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Coondog
post Mar 14 2021, 09:08 PM
Post #5


Advanced Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,089
Joined: 24-September 15
From: Apple Valley Calif
Member No.: 19,195
Region Association: Southern California
Why.......... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) Rivieras were the cheap knockoffs...... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

Riviera rims for sale $5.00 each
Original Riviera rims for sale $5.50 each

Joking aside, there were a lot of 914s running around with them. I wonder how many people replaced the Fuchs with Rivieras.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

I had a 73 and a 75 with them and told myself I would never buy another 914 if it had Rivieras.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
sixnotfour
post Mar 15 2021, 02:47 AM
Post #6


914 Wizard
**********

Group: Members
Posts: 10,422
Joined: 12-September 04
From: Life Elevated..planet UT.
Member No.: 2,744
Region Association: Rocky Mountains
those are later versions... lip has a groove early ones had flat lip..
User is online!Profile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
wonkipop
post Mar 15 2021, 04:19 AM
Post #7


Advanced Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 4,264
Joined: 6-May 20
From: north antarctica
Member No.: 24,231
Region Association: NineFourteenerVille
c'mon, rivieras were the sh$t back in the 70s?

every second 914 i saw in chicago in 89 was running them.

they have 5 spokes,
somehow the idea of 4 spoke fuchs didn't gel with the usa (or anyones?) mind set on how many spokes a wheel should have?


.....hence they were everywhere. hard as that is to understand now.

i absolutely hated them, but i have softened up and now don't mind them.
kind of a period piece. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer3.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
too many beers.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
98101
post Mar 15 2021, 04:36 AM
Post #8


Michael in Seattle
**

Group: Members
Posts: 373
Joined: 7-October 17
From: Seattle, WA
Member No.: 21,495
Region Association: Pacific Northwest
The used 1975 I bought in 1985 already had them. Around then I was out driving when a brother in a VW Beetle pulled up to me and asked where I got them. He knew them by name, which I didn't at the time.

My current car also came with strange heavy wheels but I kind of like them now.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
TargaToy
post Mar 15 2021, 04:36 AM
Post #9


-NONSOLIS RADIOS SEDIOUIS FULMINA MITTO-
***

Group: Members
Posts: 692
Joined: 26-March 10
From: DelMarVa Peninsula
Member No.: 11,509
Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
I believe the later ones, pictured, have a VW offset. The Rivs with the flat lips (where the weights would mount) are offset more correctly for a 914--or so I seem to recall. My car had the less desirable VW ones. You can't run a very wide tire on them at all--maybe 165mm.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Cairo94507
post Mar 15 2021, 07:49 AM
Post #10


Michael
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 9,734
Joined: 1-November 08
From: Auburn, CA
Member No.: 9,712
Region Association: Northern California
Sorry, I am with Greg on this one. I have never been a fan of that wheel. Now the mini light wheels, that's another story all together. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
brant
post Mar 15 2021, 08:13 AM
Post #11


914 Wizard
**********

Group: Members
Posts: 11,620
Joined: 30-December 02
From: Colorado
Member No.: 47
Region Association: Rocky Mountains
The design originated from “form vee”
I’m not clear if that was the product name or company
I believe VW North America possibly commissioned the wheel

They were built around 1969
They were sold on vw bugs as a package to commemorate the formula vee racing class within the scca. A class based on VW running gear
I believe the bugs had a side stripe...

They were copied after that
The original is technically “form vee”
All the rest are Crappy heavy casting Rivieras

Most people have no knowledge of the original versions
They have no special value

I’m hoping to complete my set but But only like the original versions due to its history


Attached thumbnail(s)
Attached Image
User is online!Profile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
914sgofast2
post Mar 15 2021, 09:48 AM
Post #12


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 614
Joined: 10-May 13
From: El Dorado Hills, CA
Member No.: 15,855
Region Association: None
Those are called “Formula Vee” are were made before the Rivieras. The Rivieras were a knock-off of the Formula Vee design, but changed slightly to avoid design infringement issues. I believe the Formula Vee wheels are lighter than the Riviera wheels. I have a set of the Formula Vee wheels on my 1970 1.7L car. The wheels are 5 1/2J x 15.”
User is online!Profile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
johnhora
post Mar 15 2021, 10:04 AM
Post #13


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 866
Joined: 7-January 03
From: Derby City KY
Member No.: 107
Region Association: None
This is a set I have of early ones for VW bug....4.5x15...they would fit under the fender with out rubbing...
I'm trying to find an article I have on the Riviera....I think Dave Darling wrote one...

Attached Image Attached ImageAttached ImageAttached Image[attachmentid=785
123]
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
johnhora
post Mar 15 2021, 10:08 AM
Post #14


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 866
Joined: 7-January 03
From: Derby City KY
Member No.: 107
Region Association: None
more stuff...

The Company was PLM....Pacific ? ?
I can't remember still looking for article

You could buy them from JC Whitney and other

Gees...I'm so old...use to shop via catalogs (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)


Attached thumbnail(s)
Attached Image Attached Image

Attached image(s)
Attached Image
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
brant
post Mar 15 2021, 10:12 AM
Post #15


914 Wizard
**********

Group: Members
Posts: 11,620
Joined: 30-December 02
From: Colorado
Member No.: 47
Region Association: Rocky Mountains
Nice patent
I had not seen that before

Notice the patent shows no raised panel on the paddle.
Similar to the picture I attached
User is online!Profile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
jd74914
post Mar 15 2021, 10:14 AM
Post #16


Its alive
****

Group: Members
Posts: 4,780
Joined: 16-February 04
From: CT
Member No.: 1,659
Region Association: North East States
I'm shocked someone spent the money patenting that design...not really much novelty.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Steve
post Mar 15 2021, 10:17 AM
Post #17


914 Guru
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 5,578
Joined: 14-June 03
From: Orange County, CA
Member No.: 822
Region Association: Southern California
Back in the late 70's i ran these rims. I liked them much better than the Riviera Rims
Attached Image
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
johnhora
post Mar 15 2021, 10:20 AM
Post #18


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 866
Joined: 7-January 03
From: Derby City KY
Member No.: 107
Region Association: None
Correct Brant smooth paddles...you have the very early ones with the smooth paddles...they are lighter than the later ones....the later ones have the raised area on the paddles
I'm still looking for that write up on these...what the heck did I call it when filing ????
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
brant
post Mar 15 2021, 10:23 AM
Post #19


914 Wizard
**********

Group: Members
Posts: 11,620
Joined: 30-December 02
From: Colorado
Member No.: 47
Region Association: Rocky Mountains
Now I’m curious as to what stamping is on the back of mine.

We got 20 inches of snow yesterday
But I’m going to dig a path to the shed and shovel out the door to see today
User is online!Profile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
johnhora
post Mar 15 2021, 10:30 AM
Post #20


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 866
Joined: 7-January 03
From: Derby City KY
Member No.: 107
Region Association: None
OK here you go...the original were made of magnesium alloy and smooth paddle and a later version were made of aluminum alloy....

I have 3 Riviera Wheels marked on back:
4.5x15 / Patent # D216507 / PLM / Meets SEMA SPECS 5-1
4x130 Bolt Pattern...Backspace 3 ⅞ “

Riviera 15" x 5.5" alloy wheels (aka "Formula Vee" or "G.T. Mag Type")

This type of wheel was originally a VW Dealer installed option package from the Formula Vee accessory range. They were manufactured by Portland's Whitney Industries, Inc. and designed by co-owner Michael Gibbons. The actual casting was done by Pacific Light Metals Foundry from A356-T6 tempered alloy, a special aluminum-magnesium-beryllium-titanium alloy. "Lightweight and very strong."

They were originally made for the Riviera Motors owned Volkswagen Dealerships, a Beaverton, Oregon based regional distributor. Orig. part #X601 011

4 x 130 mm bolt pattern fits 1968-79 Bug, 1971-79 Super Beetle, 1968-74 Ghia, 1966-73 Type 3, may also fit other years and models with the use of wheel adapters.

In the USA Formula Vee magnesium alloy wheels were manufactured by Whitney Industries, Inc., designed by partner/owner Michael Gibbons and made for the Riviera Motors of Oregon owned Volkswagen Dealerships in 1968. Later made available to all US VW Dealers as part of the Formula Vee range – listed as the ‘GT Mag Type’. The casting was done by Pacific Light Metals Foundry from A356-T6 tempered alloy, a special aluminum-magnesium-beryllium-titanium alloy – lightweight and very strong. From 1972 Superior Industries ‘Turtlebacks’ were available.

They appeared in the 1970 VW ACCESSORIES BROCHURE and were called "MAG OR GT MAG TYPE" and later reproduced by Pacific-Italia as "RIVIERA".


Attached Image
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
« Next Oldest · 914World Garage · Next Newest »
 

2 Pages V  1 2 >
Reply to this topicStart new topic
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 

Display Mode: Standard · Switch to: Linear+ · Switch to: Outline

Track this topic · Email this topic · Print this topic · Subscribe to this forum

- Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 6th May 2024 - 10:18 AM
Invision Power Board v9.1.4 © 2024  IPS, Inc.
All rights reserved 914World.com © since 2002
914World.com is the fastest growing online 914 community!
We have it all, classifieds, events, forums, vendors, parts, autocross, racing, technical articles, events calendar, newsletter, restoration, gallery, archives, history and more for your Porsche 914 ...