Making of RS Watanabe Wheels

[DAT510]

 

Chris

Sent from my iPad

[Ted Hedman]

Wow! I have a new appreciation for my Watanabes after watching this. Thanks for sharing the link, Chris!

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[Jordan B]

Great video! Thanks for posting this. Always amazing to see a world-renowned "headquarters" right in the middle of a residential neighborhood. And wow, the effort and labor, those things should cost more than a car!

So does anyone know the SSR and Watanabe connection? I, as well as a few others have SSR RS-8 3 piece wheels, which have the Watanabe 3 falcon casting in the center of the wheel, along with being the classic 8 spoke design. 

I have read in one place that RS Watanable was in financial trouble for a while, so they were merged or bought by SSR (Speed Star Racing). Watanabe continued to cast the centers for the RS-8, and then SSR finished them up with their typical style of two piece barrel (spun aluminum?)

Jordan B

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[Jordan B]

Certainly looks like an SSR RS-8 center on the back wall in the RS Watanabe headquarters.

Jordan B

[Ted Hedman]

Just speculating here, but maybe SSR filled a niche for multi-piece wheels that Watanabe-san wasn't willing to commit to. He wouldn't have to change his process much at all to kick out cookie cutter sand cast wheel centers for SSR, and SSR could just focus on making the barrels for a range of offsets for each size, and put them together.  Seems like the multipiece SSR RS8s would be cheaper to produce, but maybe the had an agreement not to undercut Watanabe. Also, seems like 3-piece wheels have always commanded a premium so likely they were more profitable. Seems like it ended up being a win-win for both parties in the end. Maybe Larry can find out the true story?

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