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THE TRUTH ABOUT WATANABE WHEELS

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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

Опубликовано:

4 апр 2018

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Комментарии : 480

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Thumbs up if you enjoyed 👍🏽

@justinvasko3577 6 лет назад

Fitment Industries You still going to do Weld Wheels or Weld Racing?

@andrewluchico6512 6 лет назад

Fitment Industries can you do Avid 1 rims

@zeroswings2 6 лет назад

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

@skylinegtrr3461 5 лет назад

Hi fitment industry do you know if the watanabe r type fit on mustangs too. I would like to know.

@phibonez 2 года назад

Can you do, Hayashi Racing wheels?

@AHondaCivicEX 6 лет назад

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.

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

ノイズ爆弾Noise Bomb Cant believe we missed that 😭😭😭

@thedumbnicname 6 лет назад

I always thought they were enkei compe's...

@paulk459 6 лет назад

Yeah

@GTAgamesfans 6 лет назад

Don't forget, Wangan Midnight's "Devil Z" S30 also had Watanabes too.

@ZFAIRGENTLEMAN 5 лет назад

*How about Wangan Midnight?? The Devil Z also has them watanabe rims!*

@ScramTek 6 лет назад

Watanabe 8-spokes debuted in 1968. Mini Cooper Minilites debuted in 1962.

@jameshaulenbeek5931 5 лет назад

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.

@pictsidhe6471 Год назад

@@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

@jameshaulenbeek5931 Год назад

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.

@manulemelin6904 4 месяца назад

@@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

@prestonryan3734 6 лет назад

Thanks to you guys, I can't listen to XO TouR Llif3 without thinking about buying car parts...

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Preston Ryan You know where to get them...😉

@2006DURAMAX 6 лет назад

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!

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Solid choice. Thanks, man!

@paindavoine_design 2 года назад

@@FitmentIndustries Same for me, Enkei Compe on my NA Miata

@darianmurcott-istead3001 6 лет назад

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

@wagonista 6 лет назад

You are correct. Watanabes are a very high quality wheel, but the design is a total Minilite ripoff.

@AlexTrull 6 лет назад

I read it was licensed copy of the Minilite. But Watanabe definitely perfected it.

@Heretic306 6 лет назад

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.

@3uphoria777 5 лет назад

True original is 1955 Cooper T39.

@connykondylom 4 года назад

@@3uphoria777 Didn't Lotus have some similar designs? They probably bought from the same manufacturer in that era

@user-hw9wv4og2h 6 лет назад

Team 5zigen Next PLEASE

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Chad McGraw It’s coming soon!

@GrumpyShihTzu 6 лет назад

fuck yeah!!

@calemf15 6 лет назад

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 RU-vid channels, keep it up!!!

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Thanks, Calem! Appreciate the support!

@nihonhikikomorikyoki 6 лет назад

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.

@nicolaspelesh6505 5 лет назад

Where?

@-CLASSIFIED- 6 лет назад

those 8 spokes are like te-37's , they look good on almost anything you put them on

@animeboyzx6403 6 лет назад

Wheels of Takumi’s AE86

@observer.b_e_l_l_i_s 6 лет назад

animeboy zx Annnnd instantly the eurobeats are cued lol.

@Danse_Macabre_125 3 года назад

A k u m a N o Z e t t o

@ZFAIRGENTLEMAN 2 года назад

*also Akio's Devil Z*

@observer.b_e_l_l_i_s 6 лет назад

HOLY CRAP THAT WAS QUICK!! You gents are awesome. All hail the oldschool Watanabe! 😎😎 great video

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Thanks man!

@papichino980 6 лет назад

Thanks man, they also look hot on a Datsun 510

@BoostedPastime 6 лет назад

papi chino any 60s-70s classic vehicle from Japan!

@codingmorrison7957 6 лет назад

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!

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Thanks, man!

@danielgillrup9518 6 лет назад

Damn, Japanese or not, these would look great on my Mini Cooper S

@carlosandleon 4 года назад

I don't even get why that would be controversial as your comment implies. The Japanese wheels are one of the best

@scott-michael812 6 лет назад

Your wheel knowledge is strong.

@TheRealChilly 6 лет назад

Scott-Michael google and the company's website also provide info. Idiot.

@scott-michael812 6 лет назад

I'm sure Fitment Industries isn't based off of Google searches.

@snoopysmx5257 6 лет назад

R types on a miata look 🔥🔥🔥

@Joe-721 4 года назад

Snoopys MX5 my dream car

@gaarasdemon 6 лет назад

Do avant garde rims next, please.

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

johnathan gaddis Stay tuned ❤️

@TheTVisReal 6 лет назад

#supafacts

@MatchMountKing 2 года назад

Why.. they are JUNK! They have fuked me over so many times I quit selling their bullshit.. cast or forged. Horrible company... stay away

@wills.junks7 6 лет назад

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

@matthew_natividad 2 года назад

Agreed like how rays fits most 90s/00s jdms

@joekrooz 6 лет назад

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!

@PossiblyATwig 6 лет назад

Now you have to do Hayashi Racing

@b15mark30 6 лет назад

yes

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

For sure!

@stevensanchez330 6 лет назад

Favorite series is back woohhooo , keep doing them

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Give it a share!

@xXbrokenvoidXx 5 лет назад

I've seen these wheels put on a few older American cars and they look surprisingly good.

@Grumpini Год назад

Probably minilites.

@dannyshakur8469 6 лет назад

These videos are dope and funny. Only reason why this is the only channel I have my notifications on

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

@zedcar7326 5 лет назад

Love to see a write up on Panasport wheels....

@superjario18 6 лет назад

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.

@VS666 6 лет назад

thanks for my order! i'm in love with my konig hypergrams and nt05's !!!

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Not a problem my man! Send us some pics once you have them on!

@andrestnt 6 лет назад

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.

@godwindracing6056 6 лет назад

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

@TheTVisReal 6 лет назад

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.

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Thanks man! We have done a couple suspension videos, check them out!

@OutOfOrderMai 6 лет назад

Content is always on point!

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

@Phymatic 6 лет назад

Just wanted to say, your website is the bomb for wheel choice options. Even though it's making it harder for me lol.

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Thanks man! Shoot us an email if you have any questions! Shop@fitmentindustries.com

@andyly6651 6 лет назад

If i had a s30z or ae86, I'd definately wait the 3-6 months!.

@noir-kx8ku 3 года назад

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?

@jordanrobshaw1406 3 года назад

@@noir-kx8ku we need to know

@noir-kx8ku 3 года назад

@@jordanrobshaw1406 I actually got some for my 1st gen tacoma since ten months ago

@jordanrobshaw1406 3 года назад

@@noir-kx8ku that's awesome, are they black tho?

@noir-kx8ku 3 года назад

@@jordanrobshaw1406 black wheels, white body.

@morelanmn 6 лет назад

FYI, Minilight made this wheel pattern long before Watanabe did. You should update this video.

@kevinm.6900 6 лет назад

My request came true

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

We saw it!

@MrDragonfly 6 лет назад

Kevin M. That makes two of us

@GreveSparf 6 лет назад

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).

@adamlemus7585 6 лет назад

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

@shariefmitchell9863 6 лет назад

Takumi also ran the 8 spoke

@dunzhijialuo736 6 лет назад

"Watanabe! the heaviest wheel for the price."

@xray4death 10 месяцев назад

I just ordered some for my GR86, 17x9 +30. Im so stocked. Now i play the waiting game.

@snoopysmx5257 6 лет назад

One of my favorite wheel manufacturers

@danielhobson5795 6 лет назад

just bought some superlights for my mazda, painted the centre gunmetal

@christopherjames8577 5 лет назад

How for the watanabe wheels?

@bitterlycold3219 6 лет назад

Awesome video love the details and the history behind Every each wheel company

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Thank you Jason!

@austinschiefer1284 6 лет назад

Fantastic videos, love the clean editing and film work, keep up the good work

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Austin Schiefer Thank you Austin 🙌🏽❤️

@masonp9328 6 лет назад

Fifteen52 wheels? I like their somewhat retro look but idk much about them

@db_outlaw8278 4 года назад

Why doesn’t fitment Carry wantanabe! I looked on your website and you guys don’t have them 😫. I keep trying to find them online, but all I get is cheap aftermarket website “carrying “ them. But I can’t find the official website of Wantanabe.

@FitmentIndustries 4 года назад

Send us an email at shop@fitmentindustries.com and we can help!

@hsinyo 6 лет назад

@fitmentindustries Can you guys cover Yokohama Advans Wheels? 👍👍👍👍👍

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Steve Chen Forsure 🙌🏽

@daemyondubrey4268 6 лет назад

Do hre or bc coilovers.

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Daemyon Du Brey Sure!

@xTheNameisEthan 5 лет назад

Some day I'll have some Watanabes for my Miata

@jordanrobshaw1406 3 года назад

Do u have them yet?

@wideband 6 лет назад

Yes! Was hoping for this to happen!

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Thanks for the support man!

@fusemalaysia840 Год назад

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

@jwheeler216 6 лет назад

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?

@benjaminthomas9436 6 лет назад

I want a set of watanabes for my 1980 toyota corolla KE70😢😭

@marvinscottjr.4310 6 лет назад

Do a review on Ferrada wheels. They look nice, but I cannot find any media info on reviews of quality or anything

@goldenagemotors8176 6 лет назад

Got a set of the 10x6 sitting in my garage ready for one of my Kei Truck builds!

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Oooo make sure to drop some pics in our truck gallery bit.ly/2DgLW0N

@goldenagemotors8176 6 лет назад

Fitment Industries will do when I get some spacer adpaters for it. I posted up my GZ20 Soarer under Supra last night.

@AllOutNoobHater Год назад

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.

@AgentZero-00 5 лет назад

Wanganui Midnight Devil Z has brought me here

@AgentZero-00 5 лет назад

Thanks for liking!

@DWMK1 2 года назад

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.

@asphaltpoet 6 лет назад

Blessed to own a set

@samvimes1083 5 лет назад

Watanabes look good on almost everything.

@theblakeslees7065 6 лет назад

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

@admiralasia5982 6 лет назад

The honest to god truth about optionlab wheels

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Admiral Asia We can do that!

@EliteValor1003 Год назад

I had a friend who had Watanabes on his Foxbody Mustang and it looked totally sick dude.

@tiagovids 6 лет назад

Do Japan racing!

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Sure!

@MartinMartinez-ux8kj 6 лет назад

Yesss finally the gods have listened 😍

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

invincible hu-man ❤️

@piercingpencils_art 11 месяцев назад

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.

@Verkku555555 6 лет назад

OZ racing next.

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Soon!

@CarRant 6 лет назад

Can we please talk about Mickey Thompson and American Racing? Or at least fifteen 52?

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Absolutely!

@Pobs81 6 лет назад

Nice Datsun🤘, damn i want some sideways smiley face wheels.

@Alan.4317 Год назад

what is alex's social? im trying to talk to him about rims for my 280Z

@Diffwrecker 6 лет назад

Watanabe the world!

@bryantherocker 6 лет назад

What Double Flower ? .... Its also called the Banana Type !!!!!

@n-dog9325 6 лет назад

Banana-type! That's how it's called here where I live. Nice to know it wasn't just a local thing.

@robbestes3257 6 лет назад

ya'll videos are awesome!

@tedgalvani 6 лет назад

Where are you guys based out of? I know wisconsin, but like mill, or what?

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Monty Jensen Appleton!

@SimplyStreetClothing 2 года назад

rev9 for your miata or 4x100 fitment wantanabe wheels just got mine for my 1990 na

@izzbomb23 6 лет назад

It's ME........MARIO!

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

YO - Mario

@claudmcbroom1726 6 лет назад

Hey Alex, great work. Will you share what you know about RTX?

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Thanks, Claud! We can look into their history and see if there is enough to make a video!

@AdrianAltezza 6 лет назад

Mst wheels next, supposedly they been in business for over 30 years

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Absolutely

@tlreclipse1126 3 года назад

Japan. famed for its Forged Steel. Watanabe: Hold my Aluminum.

@pez_xsm 6 лет назад

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 😀

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

neospez Expect a shout-out soon🙏🏽

@alexanderkausland2299 6 лет назад

Are you going to make something about Avant Garde Wheels?

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

We have it on the docket!

@blacnip 6 лет назад

I could wait for the OG

@ghettoflyer 6 лет назад

Could you do Centerline wheels?

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Sure!

@Superkamikazee 6 лет назад

Hayashi Racing wheels next

@claytonep797 6 лет назад

Thank you for listening to my request!!!!!!!!!!! I hope this channel will get subs☺

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

We read your comment!

@vineshnaidoo9402 2 года назад

have an original 16 inch set of SSR RS8 on my 75 Corona hardtop (RT114)....best rim ever...extremely difficult to find these days

@tnyce616 5 лет назад

Old school heads would pick the watanabes all day

@judec6028 6 лет назад

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

@fvazquez509 6 лет назад

I literally looked to see if you made a vid for watanabe like 3 days ago lol

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

BOOM!

@user-vf6sg4py3m 3 месяца назад

Nope my dream car is a 1976 Kenmarei Skyline the 4 door version and I want the Watanabe RS wheels on it. If it has the original engine in it I'm still debating If I'm going to swap it or not? And before you say anything yes I would use the original engine but (1) I'm not sure how easy it is to get parts for it. (2) how much I can modify it, if I can at least get 700hp out of it then I will keep it. And (3) I don't even know what kind of engine is in it?

@Gr33kNinja 6 лет назад

You Watanabe best girl

@TheJaredsalinsky 3 года назад

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?

@franciscomurillo4633 6 лет назад

Awesome vid, what about Kosei ???

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

We can dig into their history!

@Allrj 6 лет назад

can we get cosmis wheels next?

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Soon...

@VOLTAGE886 6 лет назад

Do one on Whistler wheels

@smogthebear 6 лет назад

Can you do a wheel history on DOTZ or AEZ please?

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Sure!

@eonsawayo Год назад

Tried using your website but none of the search drop downs work, nor do the links. Sucks because I love the concept of your site.

@FitmentIndustries Год назад

It’s working on my end. Can you DM me on IG? I can bring this up to our web team!

@anthonygonsalves7020 6 лет назад

レーシング comes out to "racing". And "Wah-tah-nah-bay" - no double syllables.

@AbabnehA 6 лет назад

since u r reading all the comments hope u will read mine... im from Jordan its some where in the middle east... and im working on 2008 toyota camry... i need ur help to fund my work... currently i have air suspension system that i built but still need one additional thing which is the accuair elevel... what i able to do so far is to get the accuair vu4 but it cost me around 1k after the shipping and customs rate... and im using a miserable management system called air genie and its realy rubbish...

@FitmentIndustries 6 лет назад

Send us an email and we can help you out! Shop@fitmentindustries.com

@AbabnehA 6 лет назад

Fitment Industries Thanks a lot ill send to your email.