Alloy wheels fashion for your car

Wheel styles seem to change constantly with makers producing ever more variations of a theme. There are of course some classic designs such as the BBS cross wire wheel which has been available in various guises since the 1970's. Just look at early images of BMW racr cars and you can see the similarity with such as the BMW CSL alloy wheels available today. Of course style details have evolved similar to the way other iconic designs are updated such the classic Ray ban wayfarer or Porsche 911, Evolution not revolution. The Minilite brand is another wheel style still in production today but mostly on competition applications were it was established. One of the longest running styles must be the Empi wheel style found on classic VW campers, Beetles, Type 3's and Karmann Ghia models.

The custom cars days of the early 70's produced the Cobra and Wolfrace slot mag which could be found on almost every wide boys Cortina or Capri. A cheaper option was the steel 8 spoke from companies like Weller. From the same period the classic Allycat is being replicated for classic restorations. Another style worth a mention is the Ford 4 spoke RS alloy wheel now available again in wider widths and diameters to cater for mk1 and mk2 Escorts, many with Zetec or Cosworth conversions supply nearly twice the power of the original car.

The nineteen eighties saw the AMG Mercedes 5 spoke wheels making an appearance on many 190Es and W124 E class cars. While replica's of Fords RS 7 spoke, pepper pot and Ford Cosworth snowflake wheel were all popular. The classic BBS cross wire and its imitators were also ever plentiful. The close of the decade and into the nineteen ninties ushered in many new brands to the UK one in particular "TSW" made a huge impact. TSW Stealth and later Venom became the must have style on your car. Most Venom in particular will have been melted down as a fashion product it came and went.

The film the Fast and the Furious saw an increase in wheel sales soon after the millennium with styles apeing the Japanese look from America. Diameters were getting larger and finishes more outlandish with chrome and chrome look finishes becoming more popular. The end of the noughties saw replicas of prestige car brand alloys finding customers. This has been mainly outlawed as the styles and centre caps of many replicas are copyright.

Many alloy wheel manufacturers have a history steeped in Motorsport activities some of the best known are AEZ alloy wheels, BBS alloy wheels, OZ alloy wheels, Fox alloy wheels, ATS alloy wheels, Stilauto alloy wheels, Dotz alloy wheels and League alloy wheels. The range we supply covers Car alloy wheels, 4x4 alloy wheels and Van alloy wheels. Serial wheel watchers will have noticed there is still a strong Japanese influence in wheel styles at the moment, the next big thing who knows but you can bet cross wire and 5 spoke will always be around in one form or another.

The latest wheel is a 9.5x22 Dotz Colorado for the 4x4 market. An epic new 6 spoke design in 9x20 from Calibre alloy wheels. Matt black centre spokes with a contrasting polished lip. Suitable for Mitsubishi L200 and Nissan Navara 4x4 and SUVs, already grabbing attention from many buyers.

Calibre offer both modern and retro styles to discerning car enthusiasts the world over. We have up dated our Calibre alloy wheel brand guide to you a more detailed look at the range.