Re: Big wheels (and how I'm sorry I asked)

[tony martie <tony@domain.elided>]

Yes, I am the one that started this whole silly thing when I asked if 
anybody knew what kind of 17" wheels were those on that Spider for sale 
in the UK.  I suppose I should have known that such an outrageous 
question would evolve into discussions of tire patch physics and 
sweeping stereotypes of how a person must be and act, not to mention 
the size their muffler must be all because of a suggested desire to 
possibly increase the size of their wheels by 2 inches!?  Of course, I 
must have skateboards and body piercings?  Somebody out there is 
showing their age.  And I always thought Alfa owners were young at 
heart.  I guess that was my own silly-sweeping-inaccurate-stereotype.

 Since some of you obviously missed the posting where I outlined one of 
the reasons for wanting to do this, here it is again:  Trunk space.  
That's right, I have long wanted to find wheels big enough to put 
run-flat tires on my Spider, and I have yet to see these tires in any 
diameter smaller than 17".  This way I lose the need for a spare tire, 
giving me a pretty substantial addition in trunk space (I might also 
cut out the spare tire well and weld in a more usable square metal box 
so it could be finished out and carpeted nicely).  Seriously, have you 
ever pulled the spare out of the trunk and imagined that recess being 
square, vast trunk space.  It's quite a breathtaking vision.  At least 
for an obviously sick and twisted individual like myself.

 I like to drive my Spider and there have been too many occasions where 
I couldn't just because there was not quite enough space (Women and 
their luggage. Whoops,  another stereotype!).

  Oh, and yes, I do like the looks of large diameter wheels.  I am 
fairly sure I am not alone either, just look at most any automotive 
design sketches or show cars, you know before they get watered down for 
public consumption.  You get the picture.
 I also believe that low profile tires handle better with a properly 
set-up, tight suspension.

Maybe I look at modern sports cars too much?  Maybe I should just buy 
an S2000 or a Z3?
It wouldn't be my Spider that I inexplicably and probably irrationally 
love so much.
Which will still be my Spider if I put different wheels on it, just 
improved in my opinion.

And no I would not swap my Spica for carbs (just so you all know that I 
am not a total heathen).

Tony Martie
'78 Spider (currently riding on 15" phone dials)
http://tmpd.net
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