THE TRUTH ABOUT WATANABE WHEELS
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- čas přidán 4. 04. 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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Filmed and edited:
@fitmentindustries
Additional content from:
@watanabe
@speedhunters - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Thumbs up if you enjoyed 👍🏽
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...😉
Team 5zigen Next PLEASE
Chad McGraw It’s coming soon!
fuck yeah!!
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
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*
those 8 spokes are like te-37's , they look good on almost anything you put them on
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 CZcams channels, keep it up!!!
Thanks, Calem! Appreciate the support!
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!
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.
@@3uphoria777 Didn't Lotus have some similar designs? They probably bought from the same manufacturer in that era
Fantastic videos, love the clean editing and film work, keep up the good work
Austin Schiefer Thank you Austin 🙌🏽❤️
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
HOLY CRAP THAT WAS QUICK!! You gents are awesome. All hail the oldschool Watanabe! 😎😎 great video
Thanks man!
Content is always on point!
These videos are dope and funny. Only reason why this is the only channel I have my notifications on
Awesome video love the details and the history behind Every each wheel company
Thank you Jason!
Favorite series is back woohhooo , keep doing them
Give it a share!
One of my favorite wheel manufacturers
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.
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!
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!
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!
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
R types on a miata look 🔥🔥🔥
Snoopys MX5 my dream car
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!
I just ordered some for my GR86, 17x9 +30. Im so stocked. Now i play the waiting game.
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 could wait for the OG
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.
I had a friend who had Watanabes on his Foxbody Mustang and it looked totally sick dude.
Blessed to own a set
Love to see a write up on Panasport 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.
I've seen these wheels put on a few older American cars and they look surprisingly good.
Probably minilites.
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.
Takumi also ran the 8 spoke
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
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
Yesss finally the gods have listened 😍
invincible hu-man ❤️
just bought some superlights for my mazda, painted the centre gunmetal
How for the watanabe wheels?
Now you have to do Hayashi Racing
yes
For sure!
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
Nice Datsun🤘, damn i want some sideways smiley face wheels.
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🙏🏽
FYI, Minilight made this wheel pattern long before Watanabe did. You should update this video.
These videos are addicting to watch
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).
"Watanabe! the heaviest wheel for the price."
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.
Thank you for listening to my request!!!!!!!!!!! I hope this channel will get subs☺
We read your comment!
My request came true
We saw it!
Kevin M. That makes two of us
@fitmentindustries Can you guys cover Yokohama Advans Wheels? 👍👍👍👍👍
Steve Chen Forsure 🙌🏽
Great channel. Now if my friends ask about wheels I point them right to you guys.
Thanks for the support!
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.
thank you for finally making this video after i asked months ago lol
Already hit like before watching
F Lorenzo MY MAN 🙌🏽
Watanabes look good on almost everything.
Wanganui Midnight Devil Z has brought me here
Thanks for liking!
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!
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.
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
I love these wheels❤
Do the Japan Racing Wheels!Keep the good work guys!
Coming soon!
I literally looked to see if you made a vid for watanabe like 3 days ago lol
BOOM!
I'm planning on getting a set this next year
What are they going to be going on? -Edgar
@@FitmentIndustries my 2020 86
Do one on Whistler wheels
Watanabe the world!
Awesome vid, what about Kosei ???
We can dig into their history!
From the Datsun, to the Nissan. Nice.
Old school heads would pick the watanabes all day
Hayashi Racing wheels next
Do a review on Ferrada wheels. They look nice, but I cannot find any media info on reviews of quality or anything
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?
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
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?
If only school had been like this, memes and knowledge
Right!
I want a set of watanabes for my 1980 toyota corolla KE70😢😭
Iniitial D got me addicted to Watanabe rims hahaha.... AE86/ GT86 WITH WATANABE RIMS
do ADV.1 next
Some day I'll have some Watanabes for my Miata
Do u have them yet?
The honest to god truth about optionlab wheels
Admiral Asia We can do that!
Minilite was the first one to do the eight spoke wheel, Watanabe did it after.
Any chance you could do the BBS E50, the wheel SSR took inspiration for their Formula Mesh
Sure!
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
Fifteen52 wheels? I like their somewhat retro look but idk much about them
Konig actually makes a rep wheel of the 8 spoke Watanabe
Great wheels a classic 8 spoke they look great on my nissan 260 z
Rial wheels! Thanks!
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 have 3 sets!! All 2 piece RS8s!! 15x7 16x7 & 16x8s 🤪🤘🏾 I think I like em just a lil.. 😘👌🏾
You Watanabe best girl
Can you do a wheel history on DOTZ or AEZ please?
Sure!
Make a video about japanracing wheels!
It's in the works!
Do Buddy Club next
I need some 15x8 8 spokes in my life😍
Doesn't everybody?!
They are a dam good wheel