Jalopnik: Rims

42" Lexani Chrome Rim Again Sits Naked At SEMA

Ray Wert — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:45:00 EST

Three years and running without rubber...

PimpStar LED Rims, The Classy Way To Pick Up Strippers

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:30:00 EST

The end is nigh! The insane individuals at DUB Custom Wheels have now brought us the PimpStar LED wheels, and thus the end of civilization as we know it. Using full color LED lights, a microprocessor and wireless modem, these wheels can display any images you like, on the fly, that can be changed even as you're driving (hellow lawsuit). Hot girl in the next car? Just flash the numbers on your dubs and before long she'll be calling you... or the police. One of the two. They're just $12,000 so act fast before they're all sold out or outlawed. Whichever comes first. Full details below. We actually ran the PimpStar Wheels story a while ago, but now we have the video.

Product Details

The PimpStar is a huge leap forward in the evolution of the wheel. With the PimpStar's built-in full color LED lights, microprocessor and wireless modem, you can display virtually any image, including text, graphics, logos, and even digital photos!

The included software allows you to create your own images and send them to each wheel individually or all wheels at the same time as you drive! You can even pre-load up to six images into each wheel and program them to change automatically at the time intervals you select. The wheels are environmentally sealed, so you don't have to worry about going to the car wash; and they are powered by the vehicle electrical system so there are no batteries to run out or change, ever.

Just wow.

[Neatorama via boingboing]

Chrome Rims Lead to Murder Suspects

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 10:15:00 EST

Living in Chicago and hanging out with reporters on the metro beat, we hear more than our fair share of horrible stories, and the case of a homeless woman beaten to death by a couple of gangbangers ranks up there. That's why we were so glad to hear the alleged scumbags were hoisted by their own auto accessories. The two men involved were seen on tape driving a Chevy Tahoe with 22 or 24 in chrome rims, but that's not the reason they got caught.

Since there are many cars matching that description in Chicago, it would take a little bit of stupidity on the part of the criminals to close the case. Thankfully, these guys were morons. The police got a tip that someone was trying to sell a set of chrome rims matching the description because they were involved in a murder. Not only were they trying to sell the rims instead of just chucking them into Lake Michigan, they were giving the real reason why. Brilliant [SunTimes]

The Jalopnik Holiday Re-Gift Guide: Fake Spinner Wheel Covers

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 12:20:00 EST

It's not a shock that we want the whole spinner rims phase to die a quick death and we therefore hope that the fake spinner wheel covers fad will hasten the overdue end of those vehicular eyesores. That being said, we never want to be part of hastening their demise by actually putting them on any of our cars.

I mean, they're maybe fun as a gag for 18 seconds, which is approximately the length of the video above. If you think they're actually cool, hip or classy then we think we've got a sunroof applicator you're absolutely going to love. Courtesy of POLAR, who is out looking for a set right now.

Rimdiculousness: SEMA Chrome

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 11:45:40 EDT

Wheel companies know gawking at big, shiny things is human nature. Thus, eons ago, was born the 17-inch rim. After radical mutations and massive doses of Chromium Growth Hormone, the size of rims is now bounded only by tire companies' willingness to wrap them in rubber. Lexani, for example, has a 42-inch rim that's been sitting naked in front of the company's SEMA booth for at least two years now. With any luck, it shall remain so. While I was staring at it, again dumbstruck, Hip-Hop Minstrels, The Pack walked up and instantly fell in love (with the rim, not me). Another company, dubbed GH (stands for Good Health) created rims that look like barbell weights. GH gives $2k out of every $15k rim purchase — you heard that right — to charity for children's health programs. The super-pricey rims impart a prison bling feeling to me though, and makes me wonder when orange jumpsuits are going to come into fashion. Somebody else had a roulette wheel themed rim with Louis Vuitton leather in the center area, which is probably 100% authentic and officially licensed. (LV Fakes page) – Curtis Walker

LCD Rims: TV for the Tires

Mike Spinelli — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 16:39:45 EDT

Remember what we said about finding the tasteful stuff among the endless supply of aftermarket glitz here at SEMA? We lied. The above video clip indicates what can happen when technology meets the world of dumbass automotive accouterments. The idea is to use these TV rims as a new mode of over-the-road product messaging, though we'd imagine all sorts of uses, like displaying other cars' rims, Japanese tentacle-rape porn or random shots of vegetables. The possibilities are endless.

Way to Ruin Hello Kitty...Again

burstein — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 09:30:00 EDT

So, we saw this a couple of days ago, but we've been taking some time to ponder our response to these aftermarket Hello Kitty wheels. Since one of us is a big Hello Kitty fan, people are always sending me links to all things HK, along with messages that say things like, "look how cute!" or, "I bet you'd love this!" The fact of the matter is, no, I do not like most of them. Sure enough, I got a similar message today when Kitty Hell posted a photo of the latest item to be butchered: A set of Hello Kitty wheels.

Why do I feel this way? The same reason I don't like knockoff Gucci sunglasses, or BMW's recent "car in every garage" marketing strategy, or the Porsche Boxster, or overexposed couture logos on $10 tee shirts. Mass merchandising cheapens a brand. Would we hold Koenigsegg or Bugatti in the same esteem if those companies were producing watered-down, entry-level versions within the reach of the unwashed masses?

It's not just about availability or price, either. It's mostly comes right down to aesthetics. Much of the Hello Kitty stuff I come across is done so poorly or is so blatantly cheesy that it just kills the cuteness that is Hello Kitty (which includes the photo of the pink Testarossa floating around the "Internets"). I'm sure there's a better way to execute $900 rims. Personally, a small etching of Hello Kitty on the hub would suffice. Subtlety speaks volumes. Come on, people. [Kitty Hell via Autoblog

Light Wheels: Project Kahn's RS-X

Mike Spinelli — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 08:19:15 EST

Attention well-heeled supercar drivers looking to shed a few ugly pounds. The design prop-heads at the UK's Project Kahn have come up with a wheel that weighs as much as a load of laundry. It's the RS-X, which sports a carbon fiber rim around a magnesium core. The result is a major reduction in radial inertia, resulting in improved acceleration, and unsprung weight, which affects handling responses. Each set is custom made for each vehicle, and at a price of around ~~$6000~~ $4000 per wheel, you might want to hit AutoZone for a set of curb feelers. – Mike Spinelli

The 6kg RS-X wheel - a carbon fibre rim with a magnesium centre [Gizmag]

Related:
More on the Tweel: Be-Spoke'd Tire [internal]

Mommy, Why Is A Picture Of A Naked Girl On The Wheels Of That Car?

Ray Wert — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 11:37:47 EST

Sometimes driving in a pimped out Escalade isn't enough. Sometimes you need to add a bit more flash and bling to your ride. Sometimes your ride seems well, simply not-so-fresh. Well here's an interactive driving accessory sure to perk that wilted flower of a ride up. It's called the Pimpstar, and it's well...maybe it would be best if we let Customwheel.com tell you, cause we are totally about to fall down and die here on the floor in laughter:

The PimpStar is a huge leap forward in the evolution of the wheel. With the PimpStar's built-in full color LED lights, microprocessor and wireless modem, you can display virtually any image, including text, graphics, logos, and even digital photos!

Somehow when we think of vehicular evolutionary advancement, this really isn't gonna make the cut.

The Pimpstar [Custom Wheels via RideRoom]