1982-83 Aluminum Alloy Wheels

[pintail]

Here's a little documentation on the wheels and center caps.



1982 Honda dealer brochure (US) page 16



Closeup for more detail.



The real thing.



Center cap - they're entirely plastic.



Back view with inside dimension.



Back view with outside dimension.



Lots of work remaining on my set.

[pintail]

Additional photo of the Alloy rims from the 1983 Honda Accord accessory section of the 1983 dealer brochure.

The casting on the inside of the rim indicates they were:

"MFD. FOR AMERICAN HONDA MTR CO, INC" by "ROCKWELL INTL. WESTERN WHEEL DIV." Here's a link to the history of Rockwell . They built the Apollo capsule that went to the moon, the shuttle orbiter, and these rims.

[pintail]

Wheel Progress

After cleaning the set of wheels to remove baked on brake dust and grime (the process took an incredible amount of time) , I used Autosol metal polish to polish the wheels. I also ended up polishing the backs since they are visible through the front cutouts. All the polished areas were taped with special tape (five hours/wheel - painful) leaving the exposed areas for my media blast shop. The abrasive used was selected for the aluminum alloy. The areas that were cleaned were painted black. This required re-taping(blue 3M tape).



Wheel returned after media blasting.



Re-taped for painting



Inset painted - black like the 1982 dealer brochure



Finished wheels

[Dr_Snooz]

Wow! That came out awesome!

[Ichiban]

I see no pictures!

[Hazwan]

I see them all, and nice work!

[ryan427]

Those look unbelievably great. You should be proud.


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[pintail]

Center Cap option - new ones are a good alternative until originals are found. It's interesting that the new center caps are like the grille badge on the 1982 and newer. No circle framing the Honda "H"
.


New Center Cap



Original Center Cap



New Side View - shallower



Original Side view



Note difference in depth



1982 Grille Badge framed with a regular trapezoid rather than circle. JDM/EDM(top) USDM(bottom). They are actually the same size. The difference is caused by the parallax from the camera. The USDM badge is wedge shaped from the side view. The USDM grille is angled more to accommodate the US headlights.

[ryan427]

If you really want the car to be correct, I wonder if those old caps can be media blasted and polished/painted. Much the same way you did the wheels. The new caps look great though... Either way, props Sir. Mad respect!


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[Hazwan]

I think its plastic/chrome coating is cracking/peeling off. Media blasting that would result in having a totally plastic surface

[ryan427]

I think its plastic/chrome coating is cracking/peeling off. Media blasting that would result in having a totally plastic surface

Ah gotcha. Thought they might be metal.


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[pintail]

Unfortunately, I only have two originals. The one in the photo is in the best condition. I've been working on drawing to see if I can duplicate the circular part with a 3D printer. My first try with that technology.

[Dr_Snooz]

Let us know how the 3D printing turns out. I'm really curious to see any results.

[pintail]

I finally had a chance to get the wheels on the car. Cool looking for 33 years old!

[knifemind]

Those look excellent. Where did the new center caps come from? I have these same wheels and am curious

[ryan427]

Well done, you!


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[9D2CB7]

Awesome work! I have the same set on my 83 SE! What did the center caps come off of if you don't mine me asking? Im missing one!