Hi Guys,

I recently purchased (5) Gas Burner 4-lug Mahle Wheels from Mark @ mepstein and had them Powder Coated with a Silver Metalic paint. They look real nice
BTY: Powder Coating cost $80.00 bucks per wheel.

My plan is to change them out for next years TC parade in MI. My Porsche Certificate says "Alloy Wheels" so why can't I subsitute Mahle for Fuchs & be factory original????? Polished Fuchs don't look factory??

Tom

They look great. Can I have them back?

Fuchs, Mahles, and Pedrinis are all factory alloy wheels.

Those look really good! I see you have the tow assembly. Can you tow that without removing the stock valence?

Those look great!

Mahles were factory alloys from 74-76.

Nice!

Pricey, but nice!

Krieger,
Yes, I can tow without removing the valence. The tow bar extends parallel about 12" then curves up to the trailer hitch without any issues. I also like the tow bar hookup tabs under the front bumper. Many times it saved me going up a steep driveway ramp from scraping the underside.

Tom

The Fuchs look nice, but those Mahles look great (IMO).

What brand and model tow bar tabs and tow bar is that?

the Brackets showing below the front valance, tie downs ???

not to nitpick but if originality is the concern Mahle's were painted not powder coated.
Id expect the judges (?) would probably be able pick that up....
The do look very nice.

NICE!

I think that Mahle's are the best looking of all the 4 lug alloy wheels.

MUCH better than painted Fuchs and the holes in pedrinis make them look strange.

Nicely done (but I agree that Concours judges know and see ALL and are very likely to see they are powder coated and not painted. The substitution is fine, but the finish might lose you points.)

You didn't mention what MY your 914 is. If memory serves me, the 4 bolt Mahle's were a '74 to '76 option. If your car is a '74, go for it. BTW, be prepared to be nicked for the incorrect tire profile.

His user pic shows a chrome rear bumper with bumper tits on it. So it's a 74. The Mahles should be fine from an originality standpoint, at least.

--DD

Those are the tow bar brackets.


And a question - isn't powder coating considered a paint? ... just applied dry?

Do judges deduct points for powder coated engine tins? ... and suspension components?

Good point, I looked at the bumperettes and assumed it WAS a 1974 car, but if it were earlier they might frown upon your choice and knock you down a few points.

euro911

My tow bar bracket was custom made of heavy flar bar and attached with about (10) bolts. Overkill, but a good design by the PO in CA before it came to MI. Here is the only photo I have of the tow bracket.

BTW: I agree, powdercoating is paint with a different method of application.

Tom

Paint is any liquid, liquefiable, or mastic composition which, after application to a substrate in a thin layer, is converted to a solid film. It is most commonly used to protect, color or provide texture to objects. wikipedia.org

Bliz,
Can you describe the process used? These aren't flat pieces of metal. Kinda like to know - softening my opinion of this process.

Also, and I have no experience with Mahles, were the backsides finished the same as the front ....from the factory?
Pat

True, but the judges won't give a crap about that. If the finish looks like the original finish, they'll be happy. If it looks different, you'll get dinged. The method used to achieve the finish is almost irrelevant.

--DD

Pat, Dave & others.
I started with a really nice set of Mahle wheels so I inspected them carefully for a factory finish. It appeared to be some kind of anodized finished all over the entire wheel. I went to a local shop for a price to anodize them and they quoted a min of $150.00 per wheel. Too expensive, so I took them to Fred my high school buddy who owns a powdercoating business. Fred looked them over and said he can duplicate the factory finish with a Silver Metalic finish that looks factory for $80.00 bucks each. First they sand blast with a grab profile for the powder to stick too. Then it goes into the furnace to bake @ 400 degrees. My wheels have the same look/finish as on my business car 2012 FORD Fusion SEL. Next time you see one look at the wheel finish. Mine look the same & they look like the original factory finish/color in my opinion. I agree with Dave the judges will not ding you for this finish.

Tom

Just a note:

Seems $80 is the going rate to bead blast and powder coat wheels. That's what I pay here in Portland.

Those look amazing! I should do this to mine instead of spray paint.

......Dig'n on that process myself....cool man!

Have to disagree. Though they're gorgeous, contemporary Parade judges will spot them immediately as non-anodized. But it doesn't matter - your 914 will attract much attention. Good luck. Pat

Not necessarily, there was a 914 entered in the concours at the 2004 parade in Ft Worth in the preservation class that had a full restoration and the judges didn't catch it. Until someone from the local region the car was from mentioned it.

Mahle's were available in '73 as well. My '73 came with Mahles (It's a 1.7 with the full appearance group)