BEHIND THE DOORS ... WITH AL LIEBMANN Shop Tour of RADIR WHEELS

BEHIND THE DOORS ... WITH AL LIEBMANN
Shop Tour of RADIR WHEELS
May, 2012
Montville, NJ
Photos & Text by Al Liebmann

Al's Chevy Wagon with Radir Wheels

Spent some time with my friend Rich Conklin owner of RADIR WHEELS and wanted to know more about his wheels business.

Radir Wheels are manufactured in a state-of-the-art facility in Southern California. Radir are made the "old fashion" way by making them from one-piece cast aluminum while utilizing modern technology to meet the highest standards. Wheels are cast then heat treated to T6 specification, which makes the aluminum 30% stronger than a conventional aluminum casting.

One-piece cast wheels, unlike billet wheels, have a softer more nostalgic and totally period correct look, just like you would see on a 1960's hot rod, while cookie cutter billet wheels look cold and sharp and just lack character.

After heat treatment, all wheels are inspected and then machined. Next, all Radir wheels undergo a leak-down test, and are then polished. All Radir wheels are polished by hand, which is an extremely labor intensive process that takes many hours to complete. The heat treating also helps the wheel to keep its mirror finish.

All Radir wheels are made in their Southern California casting facility. Radir Wheels, since 1995, has been on the forefront of traditional style hot rod products. Rich has dealers serving all of the United States, Europe, Japan and Australia. Radir Wheels Inc. is based out of Montville, NJ, in the New York New Jersey metropolitan area …. Check out Radir Wheels and Slicks @ www.radirwheels.com for your next ride .