A bit off topic I know - but just to follow up in a bit more detail on the alloy wheel posts -
I'm pretty sure that Globe were the first volume makers of one-piece wheels in Australia.
It was pretty low volume in the early days and Globe were making other automotive products.
The casting, machining and testing procedures had to be developed so that took time.
Advertising wasn't high profile as it wasn't known then if "mag" wheels would be a profitable line of business.
Globe's first wheels were sand cast and were produced in 1966/67. These were later followed by gravity die cast permanent (metal) mould castings in 1967/68.
I think Tony Simmons started around the same time but I think that he only produced 3-piece wheels which were more lower volume and custom built.
As "mag" wheels became more popular other local manufacturers sprang up, mainly in Adelaide where the "technology" was centred. These included -Aunger, Magnum, Cheviot, ROH, Performance, Mullins, Castalloy etc. Sankey-Benson started up in Sydney and CAC started up in Melbourne and yes, CAC were the suppliers of wheels for the P76 Targa Florio.
Most of the above "mag" wheel manufacturers have now long since shut up shop and I think there are only two left who are still producing locally. These days, 95% of our "mag" wheels come in from China.
Kaydee
I am not certain who made 1 piece wheels first, almost certainly in Adelaide. ROH were one of the first and still make some. Though for how much longer is debatable. There is a current court case about the imports at the moment. Dont know the details. Though clearly [again] some tarrifs would have saved some local manufacturing.
The so called Australian cars are assembled from overseas components largely. Chinadores and China coons! Though at least they are DESIGNED here for our conditions. Sort of,,,
Aunger made 2 piece wheels [Aunger Hustlers] before the the full cast, that was probably as early as 67? ROH made a similar style for Ford up until the mid 70s.
Sampson Enginneering made Magnum Wheels from the early 70s. That was the big 3 then, Magnum, ROH and Aunger with Globe, Rebels, Tasman [2 piece] Herbert [2 piece] Then specialist race composite race wheels like Asp. Brian Randall still has the patterns and dies for them.And I guess if you push him he may get some made for you.
As far as I know Performance Industries Challenger [Globe Bathurst style] and Superlites and trailer and 4 wd wheels and ROH are the only remotely volume manufacturers of 1 piece rims in Oz. Most are made in Asia, some are ok, some bloody dreadfull. And the styles change as often as womens dress styles. Break one, you will not get another.So bin the rest. Also so many of them are heavier than the 70s styles and dont seem as strong!
I sell new and used rims and fit tyres to a lot of these rims. Generally oval heaxagonal square. Round is unusual! But 40y/o ones are generally pretty good.
With the composites really they are no longer trendy. Probably why Simmons sold up. Though ROH made some very good ones in the last decade or so here for a while and still have some parts.
Simmons parts can be bought from Whitehorse Industries in Victoria. They do make some composite race wheels too.
One other minor player is Dragway Engineering.[Ian Splatt] He has a few styles made in the 2 piece manner.Been around for about 30 years, maybe longer. Heavy but look good and are reasonably strong. I have just cleaned and polished a set this morning for sale.