Super snake wheels would be made if Shelby performance ordered more? Every body wants super snake wheels, let us buy them from Alcoa ourselves.

[SS730HP]

I sent an email to Alcoa and this is a copy of the email, you will be surprised!

This is the response I got back.

 

 

Thank you for contacting us.  You submitted the following request via alcoa.com:

 

Alcoa forged aluminum wheels for Shelby on the Super Snake and KR were well received and exceed expectations.  Since Alcoa is an OEM supplier to Shelby Autos, they are the customer and driving this product into the markeplace.  Shelby Autos will ultimately make the decision to order more of these wheels.  Solicit your feedback to Shelby Autos and let them know of your interest.  They'll have to make the decision to purchase another allotment.

 

Contact Message

===============

Inquiry Topic Other

First Name stephen

Last Name donapel

Please Select Your Responsibility. Other

Company

Email Address steved2u@yahoo.com

Phone Number 215-677-4477

City levittown

State PA

Country United States

Please Select Your Industry. Individual

How Did you Hear About us? Trade Show

Subject Will you ever make SUPER SNAKE WHEELS EVER AGAIN?

Message Just wandering if alcoa will make super snake wheels ever in the future. People will definity pay more for the wheels.

You should consider this.

Alcoa Wheels eNewsletter no

 

This inquiry originated from http://www.alcoa.com/alcoawheels/north_america/en/general/contact_alcoa.asp? on 8/6/2012 8:49:56 PM

 

Privacy Statement:

http://www.alcoa.com/global/en/general/privacy.asp

[EL SHELBY]

This isn't new news. Several years ago Shelby stated that it required a substantial investment by Shelby to have the Alcoa wheels produced. As popular as the wheels are I don't believe they sold as well as one might think leaving Shelby with an inventory that took more time to liquidate than Shelby wanted.

[05mustangman]

This isn't new news. Several years ago Shelby stated that it required a substantial investment by Shelby to have the Alcoa wheels produced. As popular as the wheels are I don't believe they sold as well as one might think leaving Shelby with an inventory that took more time to liquidate than Shelby wanted.

 

 

I definitely agree with that. The Alcoas did seem popular but not REALLY popular until Shelby announced they were being discontinued. That seems like when they really started flying off the shelf. Any other time the Alcoas were readily available so I am also assuming that that didn't sell as much and as fast as they were hoping. Not sure if they would be successful again if they brought them back. Maybe the first few weeks or month they might fly right out the door but after that I bet the sales would slow down a little. The problem is, is that they are so expensive it is a big investment for a lot of people to make. Do they really want to or can they put out 2 grand on wheels? Shelby has probably done a lot of research and thinking about these Alcoas.

[dbackg]

With all of the negative feedback on the NEW Super Snake wheel and that response by Alcoa, SPP would be foolish not to bring back the original SS Alcoa wheel.

 

IMO. I think the new SS wheel would look really good on 1978 Mustang II.

[SS730HP]

The new Super Snake wheels are really ugly, I'm sorry, really think Alcoa super snake wheels are really nice. Maybe Alcoa wants to make to many at a time. They should make a new batch and when they run out, make more, not discounting wheel completely.

 

 

[SS730HP]

By the way, it cost $5000 to buy one set if you can find them. So if you damage one your screwed.

[patrickshelby]

By the way, it cost $5000 to buy one set if you can find them. So if you damage one your screwed.

 

I am screwed.

Have a damaged rear Alcoa on my car.

Can't even find a rear replacement, although I am willing to pay 1000.- for one.

So I am considering buying a full set of another brand.

It's not funny to hear about Alcoa willing to make another batch but having no order for it.

Look at eBay and think...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shelby-GT-500-Forged-Alcoa-Wheels-Set-of-4-/180951034308?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a2185a9c4&vxp=mtr#ht_500wt_949

[patrickshelby]

And I would not order the "new" Super Snake ones even if they would come out!

They are ugly 80's style type of wheels...

Excuse me, but I think lots of TS members think that way too.

[2010KonaBlueGT]

Any other time the Alcoas were readily available.....

 

 

 

That's not at all true. I tried on 5 or 6 different occasions to buy sets and EVERY SINGLE TIME, they were "Sold Out". It wasn't until Robert announced the inventory reduction sale that I was able to buy a set.

 

And I'm not the only one that ran up agains the "Sold Out" wall. I've seen it reported here on TS many many MANY times when other guys tried to order them and they were "Sold Out".

 

My attempts were only during discounted sales periods, others not so much.

 

The Shelby 20" Alcoa Dura-Brights were either BIG sellers or Shelby kept the inventory so low that no one interested in them could readily buy them.

 

 

Phill

[patrickshelby]

Why not launch a serie of Durabright Alcoas (non Super Snake).

Considering the crazy prices seen on eBay since the end of production, it would seem reasonable to have at least 50 sets of four sold right away...

I would take one for sure (maybe two for spares!).

[mgmustang1]

Its funny how all that want these wheels would have paid alot less if bought from me, but I wanted too much right. So I think they are worth the money.no,I had a set of hre wheels for a vette I had that cost less and the quality was way better. Only problem is the style of these wheels on these cars are the best looking.I've seen true forged wheels and even though I think quality is better, they don't look as good on shelbys.

 

Shelby better suck it up with Alcoa, make things right and produce the wheels again.

 

Phil is right about never having them in stock until they were on clearance.I tried plenty of times to buy them too.

[05mustangman]

 

 

 

That's not at all true. I tried on 5 or 6 different occasions to buy sets and EVERY SINGLE TIME, they were "Sold Out". It wasn't until Robert announced the inventory reduction sale that I was able to buy a set.

 

And I'm not the only one that ran up agains the "Sold Out" wall. I've seen it reported here on TS many many MANY times when other guys tried to order them and they were "Sold Out".

 

My attempts were only during discounted sales periods, others not so much.

 

The Shelby 20" Alcoa Dura-Brights were either BIG sellers or Shelby kept the inventory so low that no one interested in them could readily buy them.

 

 

Phill

 

 

Oh well it doesn't really matter now does it? If they weren't available all the time maybe like you said they either didn't carry a big inventory or they just sold out so fast. Just glad I got mine during the inventory blowout.

[Spectre500]

I'm glad I bought a set when I heard they were being discontinued, Would like to have a spare and would buy one if they ever come out again!!

[Jer]

A few things:

 

1. Alcoa wheels were a solid product that sold very well when in regular production.

2. Alcoa cancelled these wheels. They are focused on HUGE OEM orders, making wheels for Ford, etc... Our demand simply wasn't enough wheels to keep them interested in our business. This was not Shelby's call. The company is very fond of that wheel, as we all are.

3. Shelby bought all the remaining wheels at that point, and they were snapped up by customers instantly.

 

That's it in a nutshell!

 

I am looking into whether or not the wheel will be made again some day, if we could partner with another manufacturer... we have all of the designs and drawings, so it's possible. But I can't speak beyond that.

As I learn more, I will of course share it with you all ASAP.

 

 

Jer

 

BTW, Just my 2 cents: The new Super Snake wheels look beautiful in person. If you have only seen photos, reserve your judgement until you can see them in "real life". They have a very "performance" appearance, one might even call them "MEAN".

[Captain Beyond]

[MY500SS]

[patrickshelby]

A few things:

 

1. Alcoa wheels were a solid product that sold very well when in regular production.

2. Alcoa cancelled these wheels. They are focused on HUGE OEM orders, making wheels for Ford, etc... Our demand simply wasn't enough wheels to keep them interested in our business. This was not Shelby's call. The company is very fond of that wheel, as we all are.

3. Shelby bought all the remaining wheels at that point, and they were snapped up by customers instantly.

 

That's it in a nutshell!

 

I am looking into whether or not the wheel will be made again some day, if we could partner with another manufacturer... we have all of the designs and drawings, so it's possible. But I can't speak beyond that.

As I learn more, I will of course share it with you all ASAP.

 

 

Jer

 

BTW, Just my 2 cents: The new Super Snake wheels look beautiful in person. If you have only seen photos, reserve your judgement until you can see them in "real life". They have a very "performance" appearance, one might even call them "MEAN".

 

 

Everyone has an opinion on the new wheels. And yes seeing them for real is a must before purchase, you are right.

Someone also wrote that the fully polished version should be nicer...could be.

I did see them for real, at SA, in brushed (13' SS) and in black (Shelby 1000).

 

But back on this topic:

Basically what you're saying is that the message received by SS730HP from Alcoa is bullshit?

[2010KonaBlueGT]

Basically what you're saying is that the message received by SS730HP from Alcoa is bullshit?

 

 

Yeah, that is something that needs to be addressed because SOMEONE is lying here.

 

I have my suspicions but I will reserve comment.

 

 

 

Phill

[patrickshelby]

Yeah, that is something that needs to be addressed because SOMEONE is lying here.

I have my suspicions but I will reserve comment.

Phill

 

[COBRA32]

[Jer]

Sorry, guys, I was away with SA at Galpin Auto Sports the past two days.

 

I can't say where the disconnect is, clearly the email from Alcoa states a response from someone there, but my opinion is that the respondant does not know the full story. I have queried my associates and they all confirmed my earlier statement.

 

We all love those wheels. If there is a way to continue, I will investigate it, starting tomorrow. I'd pose a question to all of you:

 

What do you like most about the Alcoas? The forged construction? The looks? The Durabright finish? Give me more input.

I'm going to work hard for all of my fellow Shelby fans, but I need to know more info. Thanks to any and all for pinging me back.

 

 

Jer

[2010KonaBlueGT]

What do you like most about the Alcoas? The forged construction? The looks? The Durabright finish?

 

 

For me personally, it's the overall appearence of the wheel. The "look", the Dura-bright process, etc. Forged isn't high on my list but it's something new to me as all of my 'old school' experience was with the old American Racing type mags, "Coke Bottle" mags. Torque-thrust, Torque-thrust D, etc.

 

I don't like the Alcoa in black. I believe the "black wheel" is just the newest fad and I shy away from fads myself.

 

I'm not crazy about Chrome either, unless it is just a steel wheel (baby moon style).

 

 

Phill

[Afdharley]

I'm new to this game, but those wheels have a great look. I would not put SS wheels on my car because it is not an SS, that's just me. The durabright finish seems like a really easy finish to maintain compared to other choices.

 

I'm not in the market for wheels at the moment but I have a wish list and the Shelby wheel is at the top of it

[2010KonaBlueGT]

I'm new to this game, but those wheels have a great look. I would not put SS wheels on my car because it is not an SS, that's just me. The durabright finish seems like a really easy finish to maintain compared to other choices.

 

 

I have a old windex bottle with just a *tad* of windex (the 'left-over' when bottle is empty) and the rest water. I have a micro-fiber cloth that I use exclusevely on my Alcoa's. Spritz just a little water on and wipe off with the micro-fiber towel....DONE.

 

Have you ever seen the truckers at a truck stop, with those big dollar Semi rigs cleaning their shiny wheels off? THOSE are also Alcoa Dura-Bright wheels. Same thing, clean water and a soft towel.

 

 

Phill

[svt13]

Sorry, guys, I was away with SA at Galpin Auto Sports the past two days.

 

I can't say where the disconnect is, clearly the email from Alcoa states a response from someone there, but my opinion is that the respondant does not know the full story. I have queried my associates and they all confirmed my earlier statement.

 

We all love those wheels. If there is a way to continue, I will investigate it, starting tomorrow. I'd pose a question to all of you:

 

What do you like most about the Alcoas? The forged construction? The looks? The Durabright finish? Give me more input.

I'm going to work hard for all of my fellow Shelby fans, but I need to know more info. Thanks to any and all for pinging me back.

 

 

Jer

 

 

Jer the entire look of the alcoa is what is desired. I don't know if they were light weight forged but if they were that would be a must. If they weren't this could be something truforge could look into. No one cares that they came from alcoa (or at least I don't care). Its soley about the look. If you were to bring them back something that looks like the durabright is a must and a powder coated black wheel is a must.

 

But for everyone who likes the wheel its the design really thats the best. We can change the finish how ever we want thats the easy part. But there isn't a single wheel that looks like the alcoa from design perspective. It was so unique. So please for the love of god find a way to make some with truforged since you guys have all the materials to do so.

[Afdharley]

 

 

I have a old windex bottle with just a *tad* of windex (the 'left-over' when bottle is empty) and the rest water. I have a micro-fiber cloth that I use exclusevely on my Alcoa's. Spritz just a little water on and wipe off with the micro-fiber towel....DONE.

 

Have you ever seen the truckers at a truck stop, with those big dollar Semi rigs cleaning their shiny wheels off? THOSE are also Alcoa Dura-Bright wheels. Same thing, clean water and a soft towel.

 

 

Phill

 

 

Then count me in as a new fan of durabright. Chrome looks good till it starts to pit, polished looks good for a short period then requires too much maintenance, powder coat is ok I guess although I've not have much experience with it.

[J&DGT500]

The question is, was there an upfront substantial investment for the initial tooling to make the rims as well as the paying for the order and each subsequent order only requires payment for the actual order or is the substantial investment that they have to order a huge minimum quantity each time?

 

Either way to me the Alcoa rims have sort of become a brand thing that everybody easily recognizes at first sight as “Shelby”. The cost must have been huge for them to throw away that brand recognition because it is not so easily or cheaply built.

[patrickshelby]

Then count me in as a new fan of durabright. Chrome looks good till it starts to pit, polished looks good for a short period then requires too much maintenance, powder coat is ok I guess although I've not have much experience with it.

 

Nothing beats Durabright.

That's for sure.

[2010KonaBlueGT]

Nothing beats Durabright.

That's for sure.

 

 

+1

[speedrx]

I am in the market for a new set of wheels for my GT500 and I REALLY want the Alcoa's, I can't find anything I like near as well, but I also don't want to spend $4-5K for a set.

 

I wonder if we could batch-up a pre-paid order to Alcoa for another run, how many would it take for them to accept the order?