Quibble re Gawd-awfool looking Genuine Alfa Wheels (was: Callaway Milano)

["John Hertzman" <johnhertzman@domain.elided>]

In 367 Joe Cabibbo, agreeing with Chris Robyn's criticism that the South
Carolina Callaway Milano "is fitted with some gawd awful-looking wheels that
would be more at home on a high school cheerleader's Rabbit convertible",
writes "No argument here, very ugly wheels. Unfortunately, they were genuine
Alfa wheels as listed in my 1988 Alfa Accessories brochure, and Alfa was
probably just following a general trend towards "directional" blade style
wheels in the late '80s. A shame, too, as the same catalog show the beautiful
OZ Racing 3 piece wheels."

Joe is correct that those wheels were offered in the ARI accessories catalog,
but WADR that does not make them "genuine Alfa wheels". ARI had a great deal
of latitude in dolling-up standard Alfa Romeos for the perceived American
market, undoubtedly clearing the larger initiatives (like the Callaway) with
Milan but otherwise doing what some manager thought might sell, and that
included fitting many wheels which were not "genuine Alfa wheels", along with
Chastain Shadow rear window treatments, vinyl tapes, Rayton Fissore aero kits
(the Maratona), dinky badges and other distinguishing characteristics. The
very popular Ronal A-1 wheels, fitted on several Alfetta "Special Editions"
and on the Maratona, were the most handsome and least dubious of these
accessorizations, but are not found on EuroAlfas. The directional wheel in
question appears in some Tire Rack catalogs around 1990 as the WRD type GS,
with an applications list including Acura, Mazda, Nissan, and Toyota as well
as several American cars, but not including Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, or
Saab. Hmmm.

Sometimes a clue to what's what on the accessories list lies in the part
numbers provided. On the page Joe is referring to (assuming his catalog is the
twin of mine) the Milano slotted Speedline (or "wineglass") wheel is
16218.28010.02 while the Milano Verde "phonedial" wheel is 16124.28010.00,
both apparently genuine Alfa numbering format numbers, and the egregious
Carolina Callaway's directional wheel (14", incidentally) is 6934 (right) and
6835 (left) with part numbers on the price list of 68340.00000.00 and
6935.00000.00. All of the "boutique" items- shoulder totes, money clips,
baseball caps, logo Cross pen-and-pencil sets, bike racks, trailer hitches,
even Fusi and die-cast Bburago models, have the 00000.00 type part numbers.

ARI's Parts & Accessories Bulletin #5/234 lists a clearance sale on
wheel-and-tire combinations "currently in stock in our New Jersey Service
Department". They included, along with a handsome Campagnolo prototype wheel
(twelve radially disposed oval holes) in sizes 7 x 16 and 8 x 16, one set of
6" x 14" wire wheels, 72 stainless steel spokes and chromed rims, complete
with splined knock-off adapters, three-wing knockoffs AND alternate
German-style wingless octagon center nuts and brass hammer, for the Spider.
Somebody, someplace, has a late Spider with knock-off wire wheels from Alfa
Romeo Incorporated, but that does not quite make them "Genuine Alfa wheels" or
"factory option". It is a tricky world out there, and things are not always
exactly what they may seem.

John H.

Raleigh, NORTH (the sometimes tasteful one) Carolina

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