1987 – KYUSHA SHOES

Meiju Saucer

Q Osborne — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 15:03:35 +0000

The Saucer was the first wheel marketed by Kyoto based Meiju Racing team, and it carried the name of their star driver Keiji Matsumoto, who was 1979 Japan F2 Champion and known across the country. The wheel was a simple solid dish design. Speed Star looked after the manufacturing. As is usually the case, the great appeal of the Saucer, is the details. In this case association with a once great race team and driver. Text on the flat centre cover reads, "Produced by Motor Sports Meiju Racing Driver Keiji Matsumoto. More Elegant and Swift... Saucer."

Suzuka Long Champ XR-4 5H

Q Osborne — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 20:19:59 +0000

The 5 hole PCD version of the well known XR-4 used five spokes instead of the standard six. While much more rare than the standard model, the 5H version is still not altogether rare. Production (by Speed Star) began in 1980, and seems to have lasted until 1990. The wheel was superseded by the Long Champ XR-4S which followed a similar design theme, but was better sized for cars of the time. It doesn't have quite the appeal and look of the original 5H and 5 spoke Long Champ model.

Suzuka Long Champ XR-4

Q Osborne — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 14:11:14 +0000

The Long Champ XR-4 is an iconic design, but certainly not the first of its kind. Production started in 1980, with Speed Star doing the work for Suzuka Sangyo. The wheel is still in production today. Speed Star is no longer doing the work, although production by the Osaka based company continued past the year 2000. Later wheels have some visual differences which include (besides updated stickers) the word "LONG CHAMP" cut into the outer shell section, and updated assembly bolts that say simply "SSR". Older wheels use the well-known katakana "スピードスター" bolts. A huge range of sizes are available, including FF specific models in 12, 13 and 14 inch diameters. For a limited time (1986 at least) sixteen inch diameters were available, and in the earliest years, black shell sections were an upgrade option. Polished with black background highlights was the only option for the centre disk. With such a long period of production, and a vast amount of sizes made, this is NOT an uncommon wheel. It is still a favourite of many.

Challenge Défi

Q Osborne — Sun, 12 Mar 2017 14:44:05 +0000

Designed by Challenge Co. Ltd., and built by Speed Star, the Défi Fin is an extravagant asymmetrical aero wheel. With 20 fins designed to mimic the aerodynamic effects of a jib sail, the Défi claims extreme brake cooling effect, pulling air outwards from under the car. "Challenge Racing Division features the experimental Racing Silhouette, presents the progressive aero dynamic Défi." Cataloged diameters are 14 through 16 inch, with the wider 15 inch versions getting fully reverse mounted shells. Sixteen was not available until post 1990. Fourteen inch was available in FF specific sizing only. Available colours were white, silver and pink chrome with a flat moon cap standard, and Speed Star's beautiful electron locking centre cap a premium option in variable colours. Combine aerodynamic performance with a clean crisp look, and the high-end features of a Speed Star wheel at the time and the result is one of the more sought after wheels of the eighties and nineties. Even well-worn sets can fetch close to 300,000円 in marketplaces.

Bubble Car

Q Osborne — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 21:21:10 +0000

Registered as a brand of its own, the Bubble Car wheel was manufactured in Italy by OZ. Easy Riders Corporation was responsible for preparing and distributing the wheel in the Japanese market. The wheel was also sold in North America as the MSW Type 1901 and in some European markets as the OZ Type 2005. Only one size appears to have been available in Japan, but a greater variety has been seen in other markets where the wheel is not nearly as rare as it is in Japan. Although the design is a directional type, the wheel offers no aero effect. Colours available where white, silver and polished/black.

Autopista DRY

Q Osborne — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 15:14:28 +0000

An ultra-unique composite wheel developed by Autopista for the GZ20 Soarer. (5H version). The DRY used an asymmetrical design and a two piece construction with CCTS (Centre Composite Two Piece System) that Autopista described as "Flash Surface" on the wheel face, which allowed a claimed 12% weight savings. We need more detail! As mentioned, a 5H version of the wheel also exists, with a slightly different design featuring a pentagon shape in the centre and five cutouts. Both are ultra-rare to unobtainable. We've never seen a real set. Cataloged colours are silver and white!

Rays Engineering Super Volk

Q Osborne — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 03:40:42 +0000

Another example of Rays Engineering dominating the technical side of wheel building. The Super Volk may not have a look that appeals to all, but it was the first wheel, and one of very few to use a monocoque construction (I.E. hollow castings). It combined that with an asymmetrical aero design which pulled air outwards past the brakes when the car was in forward motion. Rays dubbed it, "Super Progressive Monocoque Aero Wheel". The wheel was cast with hollow spokes, improving strength and stiffness without a weight penalty. This was something you paid for in 円 though. MSRP for the wheel was greater than most other wheels: cast, modular forged or other. The wheel launched in 1984, but was altered slightly in 1985. Early wheels can be identified by:

Standard Rays Engineering hub pad with cut outs in between bolt holes
Blank centre cap
Available silver colour
Recesses/cut outs in the back of the four spokes
Conventional valve stem mounting on the rim section.

In 1985 the design was slightly revised, and the revision was carried through the remainder of production (1988?). Later wheels have...

Texted center cap, reading "Super Progressive Monocoque Aero Wheel - Super Volk - Rays Engineering - Artisan Spirit."
Centrally located valve stem, filling the tire through the hollow spoke.
Champagne Gold colour
Unique for Rays wheels, flat hub pad
Flat back faced spokes with texts reading, "Rays Engineering Artisan Spirit," "Aero Wheel," "Super Progressive," "Monocoque Super Volk."

All years of the wheel were available in Rays Ceramic White colour. With asymmetrical, aero design, and a monocoque casting, the wheel was a big hit, and various other brands with connections to Rays Engineering latched on to the design and re-branded it for their purposes. Arban Speed, Zion, K4 Stuff for example all sold the wheel with their names on it. Today the wheel is becoming increasingly rare and sought after. Even though it's appearance may be less than fashionable in the eyes of some, the design is without doubt, unique and innovative, winning Rays multiple awards at time of release.

Albino Racing

Q Osborne — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 03:41:46 +0000

An example of a simple dish design done well, and it's all in the details.

The Albino Racing (also commonly called Albino Racing Saucer) is a sought after wheel that is becoming increasingly rare. Debuting in 1984, colours were white with orange recalling or silver with nice two-tone black and red lettering reading Albino Racing in large letters centred on fine print that reads:

"This wheel invites you to the atmosphere of racing competition. Our life is just race. Start your engine. Aero Saucer ALBINO RACING supports braking system of the optimum temperature to secure maximum capacity."

The centre caps were especially unique, using a lightweight plastic MESH with fine holes drilled in them, and a text that reads, "The Fast Run-Running For Albino Racing - Weds Design Div."

Weds Vartice

Q Osborne — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 15:36:13 +0000

The Vartice was Weds take on an asymmetrical spoke type wheel, something that seemingly everyone made in the mid-eighties. Catalogs claim 2-piece construction, which in the Weds tradition, welds a centre to a spun shell section. With a very limited production run, this wheel is ultra-rare today.

Albino I

Q Osborne — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 03:39:28 +0000

The "Euro Advanced Three-Piece Wheel." Debuting in 1983, the Wed's Albino line-up embraced European styling and offered a more subdued and mature look. A wide range of sizes were offered, although available PCD's catered primarily to Japanese cars, with PCD114.3 and PCD100 making up the bulk of the offerings. Only silver was available, but an optional spinner type centre cap is seen in catalogs from later years. It should be considered extremely rare today. At 5.5kg for 14 6J size, the Albino does not quite match the weight of ultra-high end wheels of the era, but is a real step up over most single-piece cast designs.