For those of you that have been interested in this project, I'll take a couple of minutes to go over some of the interesting differences in the ARE and FR wheels. Alvon Elrod has gone to great lengths to examine the difference in the petal width, hub diameter and inside dimensions of the wheel center. This greatly expands the "only difference is the bolt hole and shrader valve location" (see below) differences noted previously. Alvon is using my reproduction center caps and decals on his wheels. They photograph nicely in the pictures below. Hard to believe that these wheels are 30 years old.

Careful examination by Alvon has revealed almost 1/4" difference in diameter between the center hubs of the two different wheels as you can see from the photograph reveals the considerable difference in diameter of the center section. Alvon estimates at least 1/4" difference. Once you are alerted to this fact it is easy to see the difference even without the calipers by carefully noticing the difference in the "land" between the lug bolt and the outside end. This will really reinforce the weak center section. This is where most stress occurs in this style of wheel. If you look really carefully, you will notice that the base of the petal where it contacts the hub is slightly wider also on the ARE version also serving to strengthen the center of the wheel. The actual petal thickness (thickness of the spokes) is almost twice as robust on the ARE wheels as well.

I've now discovered that there are at least two versions (I believe one is a later model) of the F/R wheels. These wheels have the valve stem in the polished outer portion of the wheel instead of between the petals as in the earliest versions. After mounting my early model wheels, I came across a possible reason for the change of valve location. The original wheels had metal (chrome plated brass) air valves. If these are replaced with rubber valves, they will strike the calipers as they rotate. I corrected this by putting in an additional spacer between the wheel and the hub, and using a metal cover for the rubber stem to protect it from the heat, if it happens to stop beside a hot caliper. It's my theory as to why FR and ARE went to the rim for subsequent mounting of the valve stem.

Fiat Roosevelt Wheel	American Racing Wheel
Ready For Mounting Here's the finished product. Now we are familiar enough to tell that this is an ARE wheel instead of a FR. Nice job Alvon. These are really going to look nice on your car.