THE TRUTH ABOUT WATANABE WHEELS
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 เม.ย. 2018
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On this episode of Wheel History, we take a look at the history of Watanabe wheels. We cover how they have managed to become such an iconic wheel brand in today's market. Find out more as we go in-depth on Watanabe wheels on this episode of Wheel History. Let us know your thoughts down in the comment section below!
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Fitment Industries You still going to do Weld Wheels or Weld Racing?
Fitment Industries can you do Avid 1 rims
absolutely love Wats... in this video, there's video of a guy who just scored a set for his GT86... I commented on his video about how much I lived through him getting a set... sadly I wasn't able to source a set of R Types in the fitment I needed - so even though they do make R Types in 17x8 I couldn't get the offset I wanted and went with Rota RKRs... I wanted to support the folks at RS Watanabe because the wheels truly are awesome... but... I kinda halfway disagree that they'll fade away. Maybe it's wishful thinking, but literally... they've been highly successful making this one style of wheel for a very long time... I think as long as there are enthusiasts Wats will never truly fade away... they deserve nothing less with that kind of dedication to a single marvelous product... my RKRs (just put on yesterday) while not authentic, is my nod to such a great company and wheel
Hi fitment industry do you know if the watanabe r type fit on mustangs too. I would like to know.
Can you do, Hayashi Racing wheels?
You forgot to mention that Watanabe wheels went even more viral because of the anime show called "Initial D".
The main protagonist owns an AE86 pre-facelift (it was originally his dad's), equipped with black Watanabe RS-8.
ノイズ爆弾Noise Bomb Cant believe we missed that 😭😭😭
I always thought they were enkei compe's...
Yeah
Don't forget, Wangan Midnight's "Devil Z" S30 also had Watanabes too.
*How about Wangan Midnight?? The Devil Z also has them watanabe rims!*
Watanabe 8-spokes debuted in 1968.
Mini Cooper Minilites debuted in 1962.
Yep. Minilites were the original 8 spoke. And Minilite is still around! You can custom order any diameter, width, offset, lug pattern, and finish from them. Certainly not cheap, but very nice.
@@jameshaulenbeek5931 Back in the 50's John Cooper was making his banana spoke wheels. If they weren't an influence to minilite, then I'm a strawberry
Back in the 50's? I'll have to look that up. I didn't realize he had put them out that early. I'd always read it was early 60's.
@@jameshaulenbeek5931 there is a thred on grassrootmotorsport about the history of these 8 spokes.. its back fron the 50's, maybe even late 40's
Thanks to you guys, I can't listen to XO TouR Llif3 without thinking about buying car parts...
Preston Ryan You know where to get them...😉
The Watanabe RS on Initial D's 86 influenced my wheels purchasing decision. But because of the spec I needed (15x7, 5x4.5PCD, +offset) and the difficultly/cost of Watanabe, I went with Enkei Compe which has its own charm but still echo's the Watanabe design some bit.
Love your channel and looking forward to more videos. Keep up the great work!
Solid choice. Thanks, man!
@@FitmentIndustries Same for me, Enkei Compe on my NA Miata
Team 5zigen Next PLEASE
Chad McGraw It’s coming soon!
fuck yeah!!
Wheels of Takumi’s AE86
animeboy zx Annnnd instantly the eurobeats are cued lol.
A k u m a N o Z e t t o
*also Akio's Devil Z*
I thought the iconic 8 spoke design was originally the Minilite wheel? Competition wheels from the 60's used on MGB's, mini's, lotus cortina's/escorts etc etc
You are correct. Watanabes are a very high quality wheel, but the design is a total Minilite ripoff.
I read it was licensed copy of the Minilite. But Watanabe definitely perfected it.
100% but not too many people seem to realize that. At that time in Japan it would have been very expensive to buy and import wheels out of the UK. It just made more sense to make them locally. But boy did they get good at it, and their wheels are truly deserving of their current cult status.
True original is 1955 Cooper T39.
@@MrYaponskiy Didn't Lotus have some similar designs? They probably bought from the same manufacturer in that era
By far my favourite wheel brand. If I had money for new wheels, I would be dropping on 8 spokes for sure.
Was talking about these last night, and all I had to do was check fitment for your lastest video to explain everything.
You guys are one of my favourite TH-cam channels, keep it up!!!
Thanks, Calem! Appreciate the support!
those 8 spokes are like te-37's , they look good on almost anything you put them on
HOLY CRAP THAT WAS QUICK!! You gents are awesome. All hail the oldschool Watanabe! 😎😎 great video
Thanks man!
For the record, I payed $1650 shipped for my 14" RS Watanabe through a dealer, and waited just shy of three months, i bought other things along with them like lug nuts and center caps which made the price slightly higher. Just my experience which I thought i'd share.
Where?
Now this was a great one! I had my Rota knock off Watanabes stolen off my first S13 and was heart broken with that alone. Keep up the great content!
Thanks, man!
Fantastic videos, love the clean editing and film work, keep up the good work
Austin Schiefer Thank you Austin 🙌🏽❤️
Favorite series is back woohhooo , keep doing them
Give it a share!
Awesome video love the details and the history behind Every each wheel company
Thank you Jason!
These videos are dope and funny. Only reason why this is the only channel I have my notifications on
Content is always on point!
thanks for my order! i'm in love with my konig hypergrams and nt05's !!!
Not a problem my man! Send us some pics once you have them on!
Great unbiased videos as usual. It's kind of like donuts videos on specific cars are car companies but with wheels. I'd love to see suspension or tire companies.
Thanks man! We have done a couple suspension videos, check them out!
I had Watanabe reps on my GT86 but they were in 18 inch (my car is actually in your gallery lol)! Even though they were reps, they're still my favourite wheel to-date... Until i find a set in 17 inch (rep or not) that's decently priced and actually fits under the stock body i'll be running my SSR's lol, keep up the good work guys! Love the content!
One of my favorite wheel manufacturers
Yes! Was hoping for this to happen!
Thanks for the support man!
Thanks man, they also look hot on a Datsun 510
papi chino any 60s-70s classic vehicle from Japan!
Damn, Japanese or not, these would look great on my Mini Cooper S
I don't even get why that would be controversial as your comment implies.
The Japanese wheels are one of the best
ya'll videos are awesome!
The thing About Watanabe is that it fits to some old school JDM and EDM Cars. Such as 2000GTR, E30, AE86, AE85, 240Z and more
Agreed like how rays fits most 90s/00s jdms
Your wheel knowledge is strong.
Scott-Michael google and the company's website also provide info. Idiot.
I'm sure Fitment Industries isn't based off of Google searches.
Just wanted to say, your website is the bomb for wheel choice options. Even though it's making it harder for me lol.
Thanks man! Shoot us an email if you have any questions! Shop@fitmentindustries.com
I seem to remember the Trans-am serries used alot of 8 spoke wheels. I know alot where mini-lite but I think some where Watanabe's
R types on a miata look 🔥🔥🔥
Snoopys MX5 my dream car
Now you have to do Hayashi Racing
yes
For sure!
I could wait for the OG
I've seen these wheels put on a few older American cars and they look surprisingly good.
Probably minilites.
My 14" WATS were an extra $500 when I just bought my AE86. Got them refinished and powder coated and now they look mint. I got lucky getting an original set for cheap.
Do avant garde rims next, please.
johnathan gaddis Stay tuned ❤️
#supafacts
Why.. they are JUNK! They have fuked me over so many times I quit selling their bullshit.. cast or forged. Horrible company... stay away
Got a set of the 10x6 sitting in my garage ready for one of my Kei Truck builds!
Oooo make sure to drop some pics in our truck gallery bit.ly/2DgLW0N
Fitment Industries will do when I get some spacer adpaters for it. I posted up my GZ20 Soarer under Supra last night.
I just ordered some for my GR86, 17x9 +30. Im so stocked. Now i play the waiting game.
Takumi also ran the 8 spoke
Yesss finally the gods have listened 😍
invincible hu-man ❤️
I had a friend who had Watanabes on his Foxbody Mustang and it looked totally sick dude.
7:09 Weird Al - "Fat".
You are among the best channels I'm following now 🤣
Also, I added my NB MX-5 with SSR Type-C to your gallery as you suggested 😀
neospez Expect a shout-out soon🙏🏽
@fitmentindustries Can you guys cover Yokohama Advans Wheels? 👍👍👍👍👍
Steve Chen Forsure 🙌🏽
FYI, Minilight made this wheel pattern long before Watanabe did. You should update this video.
My request came true
We saw it!
Kevin M. That makes two of us
Blessed to own a set
Love to see a write up on Panasport wheels....
Already hit like before watching
F Lorenzo MY MAN 🙌🏽
Thank you for listening to my request!!!!!!!!!!! I hope this channel will get subs☺
We read your comment!
Nice Datsun🤘, damn i want some sideways smiley face wheels.
Worst case - get some Bananasports (Panasport) basically the same thing but not as known so not as expensive. Alex, do a truth vid about them.
As much as I love RS Watanabe they did NOT come up with the original eight spoke design. That is just straight-up misinformation. Watanabe, like many (if not all) Japanese wheel brands, started out making knockoffs originally. The eight spoke specifically is a knockoff of British Minilite which predates it by 4 years ('64 vs '68).
hey man. I realize this is an old vid but I just came across it as I've been doing research on a set of wheels I have on a vehicle of mine - '89 JDM toyo landcruiser (I want a 5th wheel for the spare). they look like Watanabe wheels but I know there are quite a few 'copy cats' out there. mine are 10 spoke, 6 lug 15 x 8.5, VIA and JWL and JAWA. 2 piece. any suggestions where or how to hunt for the wheel?
There are two wheels I'd love to know more about.
Ispiri is the first. I saw a set of their directional wheels that I'd love to have, if I could find someone willing to ship a set to the US...
The second is Alzor. They're stupid cheap. I can only seem to find one seller. So, I'm assuming they're made by someone else, as a house brand for ECS. Maybe?
"Watanabe! the heaviest wheel for the price."
Do a review on Ferrada wheels. They look nice, but I cannot find any media info on reviews of quality or anything
So watanabe is kind of like sears? Fun fact, you use to be able to mail order (like out of a catalog) a house, yes an entire house from sears
thank you for finally making this video after i asked months ago lol
just bought some superlights for my mazda, painted the centre gunmetal
How for the watanabe wheels?
Great channel. Now if my friends ask about wheels I point them right to you guys.
Thanks for the support!
Just picked up a set of 5, 15x6.5 4x100 watanabe rs8 in gold with polished lip for £450 can't wait to get them on the car.
If i had a s30z or ae86, I'd definately wait the 3-6 months!.
Edward Razura-Perez One of my neighbors has the enkei eight spokes on his pre face lift sedan and they look damn good. What did you end up doing?
@@noir-kx8ku we need to know
@@jordanrobshaw1406 I actually got some for my 1st gen tacoma since ten months ago
@@noir-kx8ku that's awesome, are they black tho?
@@jordanrobshaw1406 black wheels, white body.
Watanabe be my favourite since 2023 especially the copy one....I love when Havard students promote my name "Fuse buy the copy one cause his poor, but you can't do the same like his did"... different between original one and copy one I think the pillars they used D pillar and O pilar...O pilar is full pillars (copy)...for original one is half rounded pillars... handling really good with spencer~....feels like you driving Supercarry Van...I really like it
Why doesn’t fitment Carry wantanabe! I looked on your website and you guys don’t have them 😫. I keep trying to find them online, but all I get is cheap aftermarket website “carrying “ them. But I can’t find the official website of Wantanabe.
Send us an email at shop@fitmentindustries.com and we can help!
These videos are addicting to watch
Minilight is the originator of this design and released the first ones in 1964, I could be wrong but finding any info on watanabe is hard. watanabe is dying because no one is going to spend 6k on a set of wheels, especially when enkei, minilight and others make the same wheel for cheaper.
People in motorsport are willing to pay such price, that’s why there’s a huge trade for 1970s/1980s BBS wheels mainly because of historic motorsport and the classic car scene
lol i just commented on a video about Watanabe's for my 16 BRZ. I still am working out my fitment and having it so I don't have to stretch tiny tires and run stupid camber to fit them, but the company i am going through quoted about $2700. so you're spot on with price.
I know someone responded to me, but I can't find my comment, or their reply. 0_o
Hey Alex, great work. Will you share what you know about RTX?
Thanks, Claud! We can look into their history and see if there is enough to make a video!
have an original 16 inch set of SSR RS8 on my 75 Corona hardtop (RT114)....best rim ever...extremely difficult to find these days
I literally looked to see if you made a vid for watanabe like 3 days ago lol
BOOM!
Watanabes look good on almost everything.
From the Datsun, to the Nissan. Nice.
#NotificationSquad
First!
🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽
Awesome vid, what about Kosei ???
We can dig into their history!
Fifteen52 wheels? I like their somewhat retro look but idk much about them
I wouldn’t know about Watanabe wheels if it weren’t for the video game Need For Speed Heat. They were the set of wheels I used while trying to make Trans Am series race cars.
I love these wheels❤
Minilite was the first one to do the eight spoke wheel, Watanabe did it after.
Old school heads would pick the watanabes all day
can carry my watanabe 14's around like they weigh nothing. i had changed the O.Z racing wheels i had on the car over to the wats and nearly knocked myself out when lifting it :P i was prepared for a much heavier wheel and definatly put more force into it than i thought i would have to.
to answer the question wait 6 months or buy new wheels. I would happily wait 6 months for another set :)
Some day I'll have some Watanabes for my Miata
Do u have them yet?
I'm planning on getting a set this next year
What are they going to be going on? -Edgar
@@FitmentIndustries my 2020 86
I want a set of watanabes for my 1980 toyota corolla KE70😢😭
Do the Japan Racing Wheels!Keep the good work guys!
Coming soon!
Any chance you could do the BBS E50, the wheel SSR took inspiration for their Formula Mesh
Sure!
Watanabe the world!
Konig actually makes a rep wheel of the 8 spoke Watanabe
You Watanabe best girl
Wanganui Midnight Devil Z has brought me here
Thanks for liking!
rev9 for your miata or 4x100 fitment wantanabe wheels just got mine for my 1990 na
レーシング comes out to "racing". And "Wah-tah-nah-bay" - no double syllables.
Hayashi Racing wheels next
The honest to god truth about optionlab wheels
Admiral Asia We can do that!
Where are you guys based out of? I know wisconsin, but like mill, or what?
Monty Jensen Appleton!
Rial wheels! Thanks!
Do one on Whistler wheels
Tried using your website but none of the search drop downs work, nor do the links. Sucks because I love the concept of your site.
It’s working on my end. Can you DM me on IG? I can bring this up to our web team!
Awesooommmeeeeee
Iniitial D got me addicted to Watanabe rims hahaha.... AE86/ GT86 WITH WATANABE RIMS
why are these videos so gooooooodddddddddddddddd
Bryan Garcia Appreciate the support ❤️
I'd say because the are informative and unbiased.