Halibrand wheels for studebaker 1963/64 .

[cruiser]

I apologize in advance if this topic has been discussed before , so please excuse
a latecomer to this forum . What is the current story in repect to the availability
of the 'HALBRAND' magnesium cast wheels which were an option during 1963/64.
I know that the wheel style was issued to the public as a 'TOURING' wheel in their
'SPORTSCAR' series . You could buy a set at retail $287.50 polished or $267.50
unpolished and they came in four sizes when sold at retail level to the public .
PART NUMBER WIDTH HEIGHT
2039 6" 14"
2011 5.5" 15"
2011A 6.5" 15"
2011B 7" 15"
Now of course , these details above quote HALIBRAND part numbers and pricing
including a "plain" triple eared spinner for the centre of the wheel but I have
seen a real set and they have 'STUDEBAKER CORPORATION' written on the
spinner . I guess a question I should ask is what wheel sizing is correct for
Studebaker application . When the sets of wheels were NEW , they were sold
with twenty chrome plated "deep reach" acorn nuts and four chrome " theft
proof" simulated wing nuts . The wheels were all cast in magnesium , no
aluminium castings were ever done by the original Halibrand manufacturers.
So the real question is size and availability of any reproductions that
may be on the market nowadays , for both the wheels and the 'spinners' .
If this stuff is not available - why not ! Some of the originals are
out there , with modern casting and machining a good copy could be made
available in either magnesium or aluminium . Just a thought for you guys.
.
. BRUCE NEASMITH

[Bob Andrews]

I believe these are the wheels Myer's Studebaker has been planning to have repoped. They need a minimum number of orders before they can afford to do it though. The front page of their website says "February 27, 2006 - We currently have 15 Confirmed orders for Halibrand Wheels". So as you can see, it is being attempted, just not enough willing participants yet.

You might want to contact them for a status update. Bonus- Myer's is a well-known and top-notch vendor/shop that can be trusted. One of the top operations in the hobby.

http://www.myersstudebaker.com/

[Gunslinger]

The projected cost for the repros is somewhere in the $2500 territory per set of four. A bit salty for many, so the low number of confirmed orders is understandable.

[PackardV8]

FWIW, anyone fortunate enough to have a set of the original Halibarands is probably already aware magnesium alloy wheels deteriorate over time and become unsafe to use. Most vintage racing associations prohibit the use of of '50s-60s wheels in competition. If they were mine, they'd be "display only."

jack vines

[SlotBaker]

Hey Bruce, just for interest, I found a film clip on YouTube of the 1977 Nationals in Vic, and there is a scan around of the cars, and it homes in on Berts Commander with the Halibrands.
The clip goes for 5:54, and Bert's car is about 5:06, so you have to wait till near the end to see it.
YouTube Video.

[StudeRich]

/Cut/ I guess a question I should ask is what wheel sizing is correct for
Studebaker application .BRUCE NEASMITH

If that is all Studebaker had to choose from, it would be the #2011 5.5X15 size wheel.

Stock wheels are only 4 1/2 inch and 5 inch on Avanti and Jet Thrust cars, to fit no larger than 6.70X15 Tires.

[53k]

Talk about 20-20 hindsight- In 1971 I bought a '66 Avanti II from Tommy Thompkins, an Avanti enthusiast/dealer in the Boston area. He offered to sell me a set of five original Halibrands complete with hubs, hammer, nuts- never used in bad weather. Price for all five- $350. My reaction- who would want those ugly things.

[Bob Andrews]

FWIW, anyone fortunate enough to have a set of the original Halibarands is probably already aware magnesium alloy wheels deteriorate over time and become unsafe to use.

I did not know that. 25 years ago we were still using left-over magnesium wheels from Indy cars. I don't recall seeing one fail, although they did shatter well upon impact with the wall

The thing I DO know is, magnesium burns VERY bright and hot on after-race campfires

[cruiser]

Thanks for the feedback guys . Sounds like the original Halibrand Studebaker Wheel sets
are a rare and desireable item nowadays . I do know that Magnesium is hard to maintain
looking good over the long term and so I would suggest that reproductions be run off in
Aluminium to protect the integrity of the originals and to supply a modern product .
My thinking was that if the basic wheels for Studebaker were identical to
those offered to the public for use on "brand X" , maybe instead of limiting the group
of people to Studebaker owners , there would be 'plenty' of interest from people who
are on a Sixties nostalgia kick and own other makes of cars . After all it seems like the
only unique part to Studebaker is the triple eared 'spinner' .
To me , they just look like a nice set of wheels and it would be real good
if they could become available again . Imagine the Muscle Car Drag Meets where the
Studebakers all had period correct 'mag' wheels . I'm sure that the Chevy , Ford and
Mopar boys didn't even know that Studebaker offered mag wheels in their options .
.
. BRUCE NEASMITH .

[R2Andrea]

As Jack mentions, vintage magnesium wheels are not good for much other than for display. The alloy that they were cast from becomes quite brittle with age and they are a real pain to keep looking good because the surfaces (especially the machined ones) oxidize very rapidly. I've considered making a set of patterns to do the '64 style wheels but it isn't real high on my priority list. If I were to do them they would be cast in either AlMag or one of the newer Mag alloys. There are newer alloy formulations that don't have the drawbacks of the old formulas and I've found a shop less than 2 hrs away who would be interested in pouring them for me.
If you are looking for the '63 style, refered to as the Sebring or "Kidney Bean" style, they are available from PS Engineering in CA. Phil does them in both a 2 piece welded version or the original 1 piece cast type. Ed George has a set of the 2 piece Sebrings on his '63 Avanti. IIRC his forum handle here is MrSpeed53.

[cruiser]

Thank you ' R2Andy 'for the tip to have a look at the PS Engineering CA site but the
'Kidney Bean' style mags are not what I had in mind . It does however look like
Phil is a possible 'go-to' man to have a repro done because his other wheels do look
real nice . But , I'm sure PRICE will be a problem for many . That's why I thought to
widen the net beyond those people who are only looking at it from the Studebaker
side of things . The 'link' to Myers on the Bob Andrews comment shows the right
wheel type . If other non-Studebaker guys want this style , only the 'spinner' need
be unique to our favourite vehicles . Of course there are now so many aftermarket
wheels out there , many with increased width and height , that maybe it must be
hard to justify tooling up a wheel type if we can only sell (say) one hundred of them.
How many of you guys and gals out there would buy a set if cost could be limited
to under (say) $1,500.00 US a set . That's four wheels with four spinners !!!!
Nothing like doing some free advertising for Myers who at least tried to get interest.
.
.BRUCE NEASMITH

[2R2]

Being a long time Studebaker guy, I know these wheels were offered, I just don't know how. Has anyone ever seen any material related to how Studebaker notified dealers and/or prospective customers of their availibility?

[R2Andrea]

Technically speaking, the Halibrands were a Factory Approved option available through the dealer. I have never found any evidence of any factory part number issued to cover them from either a production standpoint or from the Parts and Accessories Division.
As far as the cost of repro wheels go, the last I knew, PS Engineering was getting around $1200 for a set of the 2 piece Sebrings and about double that for the original style 1 piece wheels. I know Phil had talked about the possibility of doing the '64 style wheel but I haven't checked back for quite some time.

http://www.psvintagewheels.com/home.html

There should be either a Service Letter or, more likely, a Sales Letter with more info on the Factory Approved Halibrands, but I can't find one in my collection. I have copies of several Production Orders or Shippers of cars that were sent out with Halibrands but they were only refered to as "special mag wheels"

[Milaca]

Here is a modern Cragar wheel with a similar "kidney bean" look, for only $149.95 each.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CRR-3915712/

Perhaps a 3-spoke spinner is available for them too?

[studevic]

hi all , thanks for the youtube link of the aussie national meet at Wagga Wagga in 1977 , I have never seen this clip before , i am the guy standing beside Bert Nedhams car with arms folded , i had more hair in those days , i remember talking to bert about the mags on his car , this rare R2 is still in New south wales. A Victorian a few years back had a set of these wheels for sale at around $2500 , i think he moved overseas and took the wheels with him . others may have more information , cheers from roger.