Halibrand / Real Wheels status?

[TimBob]

Does anyone know the latest on 'Real Wheels', the Halibrand-like wheels made in California? I heard a rumour that the molds were sold to another company...

Also, anything new in the sad Halibrand saga? Saw 'halibrandperformance' on ebay, but he didn't respond to my inquiry (surprise!).

http://images6.fotki.com/v95/photos/4/43402/1146287/DSC03482-vi.jpg

[Roadsters.com]

Real Wheels were made by Eric Vaughn. They were not only flawless wheels, but they were very well-engineered as well. I haven't heard about Real Wheels for awhile, but back in 2002 Eric called me and mentioned that he was looking for a buyer for that part of his business. Here's how to reach him:

Vaughn Machine
111 North Myrtle Avenue, #B
Monrovia, CA 91016
(626) 358-6413

If you haven't seen it, there's a page about old racing wheels at http://www.roadsters.com/wheels/

Dave Mann
Roadsters.com
http://www.roadsters.com/

[Tman]

Eric told me a while back over the phone he is maybe not making any more wheels.

[TimBob]

Thanks Dave, I'll try calling and report back if I learn anything. I forgot you had that listing on your website. Your wheel history is a great resource.

Cheers

[DRD57]

Real Wheels has been sold. The new owner had a booth at the LA Roadster show. Dunno how to get in touch with them though.

[derelict]

The new owner of Real Wheels seems to be okay. I've heard that he has Eric Vaughns stamp of approval. I've got the address and phone number at home. I'll post them later. I'm thinking about getting a pair of the 5x15s' with out a lug pattern just to have them on hand. When I saw their product at the LARS they looked to be as good as when Eric made them. As for Halibrand, RIP and may the new owner rot in hell.

[John Copeland]

I think I have one of the last sets of Halibrand wheels that were sold, and it took forever to get them. Their web site is still active and very mis-leading, as it insinuates that they are still cranking out the wheels!

John

[SamIyam]

I got a set on my Model A... took me 10 months to get them ten years ago! And it was like $2800 out the door for two 4"ers and two 11"ers.

I have been on the fence about selling them... but think I'll prolly hang on to them and just have the rear 11"ers narrowed to 8.5"

Problem is... they'll look REALLY DEEP.

Sam.

[reefer]

A friend opf mine recently got in touch with Halibrand about a pair of front wheels for his deuce coupe.He was told that they are going back into production...but, Made in CHINA...Long live Haribrand.

[TimW]

Sam, from what I understand, Eric is still narrowing wheels even though he has sold the business. He cut a pair of 10's down to 8's for me and you can't even tell they've been worked on. He took it all out of the backside of mine so from the front they still look like 10's. Give him a call if you decide to cut yours he seems like a super guy. Tim

[modernbeat]

[ QUOTE ]
As for Halibrand, RIP and may the new owner rot in hell.

[/ QUOTE ]

I understood that Richard managed to fight off the post bankrupcy buyout of Halibrand and still has control of the company. I was also told that he had stolen the wheel molds during the pending liquidation and shipped them overseas.

I've never heard anything good about Halibrand while in Kansas. Just ask Dennis McPhail - he's got REAL stories. He worked for the man - even art directed and built a coupe for him.

[FLAT-TOP BOB]

has anyone heard what happened to the other halibrand molds they had?
i took a tour through the shop in 2000 and they had a truck load of molds for everything under the sun. looks like they would have started to put some of those items back into production instead of those junk new two piece wheels.

[John Copeland]

Halibrand has a rich and meaningful history, regardless of how their run ended, they were once "the wheel" to have. They ran on every Indy car for many years. I have a set of Sprints, 14 X 6 and 15 X 7 1/2. Yep, as I already said, it took forever to get them and they were expensive but......I wouldn't trade them for a semi load of Boyd, or any other billet wheels. Halibrands and Americans are an ageless wheel that will never grow old. Just my opinion.

John C.

[Roadsters.com]

[ QUOTE ]
A friend of mine recently got in touch with Halibrand about a pair of front wheels for his Deuce coupe. He was told that they are going back into production but Made in CHINA.

[/ QUOTE ]

A Google search for Richard LeJuerrne turns up the E-mail address RealMag1@excite.com and this article:

"Halibrand files Chapter 7 bankruptcy, CEO opens similar company"
http://wichita.bizjournals.com/wichita/stories/2003/11/17/story8.html?t=printable

[36-3window]

interesting story , so the guys just walks out on his debts and starts over.....the chapter 7 says that there are no assets , but doen't he own some other business's? i thought he was some sort of big wheel down there, making his money in other things , and Halibrand was just a play toy business for him

about 10 years ago , i had a guy who owed me $650 file bankcrupcy...listing no asests....i asked the bancrupcy judge what about his NEW John Deere riding mower, his fishing boat , his gun collection , his power tools all sitting in a rented garage he rented on his brother's name ? i got nothing!

richard lejuerrne sounds like a weazel too......

[aussiesteve]

Eric makes more money repairing and/or widening wheels than he did casting and machining real wheels,and also less stress.He is very critical of himself and would not sell any wheels unless they were perfect,and also he is a one man shop,so it takes him a while to get things done.He used to take the molds to the foundry and stay there while they poured castings and then he would take the molds home.
I have seen him spend days modifying the gates and risers on one mold because of a tiny piece of porosity in one batch of castings.
A very talented person.Anyone who races an Indian at Bonneville has got to be alright.
One last thing-When Halibrand moved to Kansas they told Eric that thwey were going to put him out of business!!FUNNY HOW THAT ENDED UP!!
Also,about filing chapter 7 and then starting again.Are you sure he is not related to Coddington!

[TimBob]

OK, derelict gave me the contact info for Real Wheels (no longer Eric Vaughn):
"Real Wheels, 3941 Park Drive, #20-133, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762, outside US 916-941-1452, US 888-298-4212 (works from Canada too http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif).
Seem to be good people." Derelict

Thanks derelict. I called Real Wheels and have to agree, seem like good people with the right intentions. Here's what I learned:
- Bought the wheel molds from Eric Vaughn. Intend to maintain the quality that he established.
- They want to carry an inventory, so wheels will be ready to ship when the orders come in.
- They are a foundry, and make the wheels in-house. Only heat treating and polishing are farmed out.
- The first batch of wheels has been made, and they are currently in the process of selecting a polisher. Should begin shipping in the next month if all goes well.
- Aluminum and MAGNESIUM versions will be made http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
- Initial sizes will be 14x6, 15x5-1/2, 15x8, and 15x10. 16x5 and 16x7 being tooled up. All wheels are one piece. Prices for 15's will be roughly in the $400-500 range.

I think this is great news for anyone who's tried to get a set of these style of wheels. Seemed like a class act on the phone, hope they do well with this. My brochure is in the mail, I can't wait...

[gege]

i may be wrong but i think the story of bankrupture is the same for boy ------- d, leaving people high and dry and starting over with slightly diff name.again disclaimer of might be wrong!!!!!!!!!!!