BS: Critique this design thingy for me?

Subject: BS: Critique this design thingy for me?
From: frogprince
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 02:55 PM

If you were in the market for custom wheels, particularly for a "woody" like the wood paneled PT Cruiser, would you consider either of these
if they were available? If so, which one would you choose?

                   Dean

Subject: RE: BS: Critique this design thingy for me?
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 03:07 PM

As shown, the one on the left. I'd need to see them in action before a definite choice is made.

Also, all wood(y) shades and grains are not equal. If this is for a business you're planning, I think you'd need to take that into consideration.

Good luck to you, Dean.

Subject: RE: BS: Critique this design thingy for me?
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 03:26 PM

Are those wheels *real*? 'Cos the piccies look err, not quite like the real thing..

As for these style custom wheels, do you have any specific 'cult' motor groups in mind? Or is it a very broad custom idea?

I must confess, unless you have a specific group of motor fans in mind, I don't quite 'get it.'
Maybe others do?

Subject: RE: BS: Critique this design thingy for me?
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 03:34 PM

Sorry, to directly respond to the OP - I preferred the 1st image.
But if I were 'into' wood effect wheels, I'd deffo be much more into something really posh and expensive 'hard-wood' looking like walnut, or something similarly beautiful.

Subject: RE: BS: Critique this design thingy for me?
From: Ebbie
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 03:34 PM

I suppose it depends upon the effect one wants. If I wanted a blurry, continuous bit of color i would go for the one on the right. if I wanted a choppier, edgier effect I'd go for the left.

Or I'd go for neither. I never did go for the mags.

Subject: RE: BS: Critique this design thingy for me?
From: frogprince
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 03:39 PM

The metal wheels are real; the wood inserts are photoshopped in. So far it's just a custom concept I had, and I wondered if anyone else would find it appealing.

Subject: RE: BS: Critique this design thingy for me?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 03:41 PM

Dean-

I'm never sure which is "left" or "right" but the first image, the one with the thinner wood-filled spokes, looks better to me.

Totally wood with iron rims, I suppose, would be out of the question.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Critique this design thingy for me?
From: Janie
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 03:48 PM

I prefer the left image of the two, but don't think I would like the look of either of them on a car. I would also be concerned about the durability of the finish on the wood (or wood-appearing finish) on car wheels.   Seems like they would quickly look pretty banged up.

Subject: RE: BS: Critique this design thingy for me?
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 03:58 PM

Hmm Frogprince, my guess is that you'd do well researching particular fetishises in the motor market and tailoring your idea toward particular groups. My thought is correlate say Walnut finished wheels with Mercs and Champers and you might find a niche...

Subject: RE: BS: Critique this design thingy for me?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 04:25 PM

Left. But personally I would prefer all metal appearance.

Subject: RE: BS: Critique this design thingy for me?
From: frogprince
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 04:38 PM

The only way I would ever envision this sort of thing in anything like mass production, would be if a car manufacturer or custom wheel manufacturer had plastic simulated wood inserts molded to snap into wheels. I much doubt that that will happen. I had just been toying with this since awhile back when I was shopping for replacement wheel covers for my old Contour; most of the options seemed to be divided between the bland and the crass. I was just thinking, what would be markedly different, but perhaps with a little class? I'm not about to go broke trying to go into business with anything like this.
I actually thought the version with wide inserts was a little much myself, but I tried it while I was fooling around, and thought I'd see how anyone reacted.

Subject: RE: BS: Critique this design thingy for me?
From: catspaw49
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 04:38 PM

Neither.....Car Junkie here and I like polished aluminum pretty muchexclusively. Its a neat idea and might sell though so go for it. One'ss about the same as the other to me.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Critique this design thingy for me?
From: Bill D
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 05:05 PM

I think the right hand one looks weird sitting still.

(looks like Red Oak grain...like for old 'woodie' station wagons. )

I assume you want to add wheels to this ...smaller is better.

Subject: RE: BS: Critique this design thingy for me?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 06:47 PM

Left, tho it's hard to be sure without historical references to compare.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Critique this design thingy for me?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 07:57 PM

Slight drift, but I wonder why wheel trims always seem to be silver - I mean they are made out of plastic and could be any colour. Or looking like wood, which might indeed be quite fun.

Subject: RE: BS: Critique this design thingy for me?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 03:17 PM

Why would you get a PT Cruiser?

Subject: RE: BS: Critique this design thingy for me?
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 03:36 PM

Watchit Bucko (EBarnicle)! Mrs. JotSC drives a PT Cruiser, and loves it. It is kinda fun, but rear viability is a bear.

Subject: RE: BS: Critique this design thingy for me?
From: akenaton
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 04:19 PM

In Scotland, wooden wheels went out with the horse n' cairt.
In the US I suppose it was the covered wagon.....may they rest in peace!

Subject: RE: BS: Critique this design thingy for me?
From: open mike
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 04:56 PM

http://www.hansenwheel.com/products/wheels/wooden_wheels.html

Subject: RE: BS: Critique this design thingy for me?
From: Gurney
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 06:07 PM

Wires rule OK.

Subject: RE: BS: Critique this design thingy for me?
From: frogprince
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 07:43 PM

Yes, red oak grain; just because I had a scrap handy, and sticking it on the scanner was less bother than shooting wood with the camera and transferring it to the computer. I don't even expect to do this at all in real life. I was thinking particularly of a PT when I did it, just because that's the only recent "woody" I know of. I don't have one, and don't really expect to, but if I were to choose a car on looks alone I might very well get one and make myself a one-off set of the wheels for it. I had been watching for a wheel style that lent itself to the idea, and I spotted and photographed that Chrysler wheel a few days ago.