Halibrand "Sebring" Wheels with Disc Brakes

[Tom W.]

I just bought a set (5) of Halibrand "Sebring" or as some folks call them, kidney bean magnesium wheels. They are 15x6, have "Halibrand Eng" "Culver City Cal" cast on the back side. They also have four NOS Goodyear Blue Streak Racing Nylon Tires mounted with the labels still on them. The wheels appear unused with no dings but various conditions of oxidation. There are two for the front 6.00/6.20 15 and two 6.50/6.70 15 for the rear. The fifth rim is bare. These are knock off wheels with a 5 on 4 3/4 pin pattern. With this set there was two front hubs that also had the five pins and 2 5/8" k.o. spinners also with Halibrand Eng Co, Culver City Cal on them. The hubs are aluminum with a 3/8" thick solid cast iron rotor about 11" diameter mounted to the back of the hub. The aluminum hub is two piece and is bolted together allowing the hub nose and pin plate to be removed for pin replacement. Here's the best part...On one of the tires, there is a shipping label that says" Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., c/o Carroll Shelby, 10820 South Norwalk Blvd.,Santa Fe Springs, Calif."
Obviously, these are historically significant. Does anyone know the history of these early disc brakes and why Shelby may have been using a 5 on 4 3/4 pattern. I don't think that was a Cobra dimension. Also, should I put a preservative like "Gibbs Brand" on them, leave them alone, or?

[Bruce B.]

Re: Halibrand "Sebring" Wheels with Disc Brakes

Personally I would preserve them by doing nothing to them.
I recently saw a set with axles and spindles and 4 knockoffs sell at the Bob McDoprman auction.
They were untouched and looked beautiful as a piece of history should.
Take good care of them.
Bruce B.

[George J.]

Re: Halibrand "Sebring" Wheels with Disc Brakes

Please post pictures.

George

[Brant H.]

Re: Halibrand "Sebring" Wheels with Disc Brakes

Here's the best part...On one of the tires, there is a shipping label that says" Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., c/o Carroll Shelby, 10820 South Norwalk Blvd.,Santa Fe Springs, Calif."
Obviously, these are historically significant. Does anyone know the history of these early disc brakes and why Shelby may have been using a 5 on 4 3/4 pattern. I don't think that was a Cobra dimension.

Shelby was a Goodyear distributor as early as 1960. I'm guessing the wheels may have nothing to do with Shelby. That particular tire was just purchased from him through maybe his Goodyear distributorship.

Another interesting note though...that address was and still is Moon Equipment Co. That was basically where the first Cobra (CSX2000) was put together in early 1962. Shelby was using that shop for a short period of time before moving to his Venice, CA shop.

That is a pretty neat piece of history you have.

-Brant
(Corvette guy, but more of a Shelby American guy)

[Bruce B.]

Re: Halibrand "Sebring" Wheels with Disc Brakes

George,
Sorry I don"t have any pictures.
But, check your mail.
Bruce B

[Tom W.]

Re: Halibrand "Sebring" Wheels with Disc Brakes

Shelby was a Goodyear distributor as early as 1960. I'm guessing the wheels may have nothing to do with Shelby. That particular tire was just purchased from him through maybe his Goodyear distributorship.

Another interesting note though...that address was and still is Moon Equipment Co. That was basically where the first Cobra (CSX2000) was put together in early 1962. Shelby was using that shop for a short period of time before moving to his Venice, CA shop.

That is a pretty neat piece of history you have.

-Brant
(Corvette guy, but more of a Shelby American guy)

You may be right about the tires not being specific to a Shelby project. I do think it's odd that it is labeled. Usually stock shipments for a distributor wouldn't have a shipping label. Of course, these could have been a special order for a customer. Even so, Carroll may have grabbed them off the delivery truck himself! That's good enough for me.
Let me look a little closer at my paperwork, maybe a pink slip to CSX2000
is lurking in there. Thanks for the info.
Tom