The Typ356 second tech session of 2010 gathered in Waltham MA on Saturday Feb 20th for a tour of Waltham’s Rim and Wheel Works.
Established in 1992 and owned by Ina Ames, they straighten, true, balance and refinish all manner of wheels both old and new. Ina was our guide and led us on a visit to each station at their plant explaining how the work was done. We watched modern alloys being heated and bent back into like new condition, in many cases without any refinish work needed. It was quite an art.
Ina was our tour director for the day having done this trip with many car clubs in the past. There were discussions about run flat tires (not her favorite), tire pressure sensors (a good idea) and what constitutes the best winter tire available for your application (you’ll have to ask her).
This company caters to car enthusiasts of all types and we were able to see a large display of rims from many different types of motorsports. Even motorcycles bend rims on Boston streets, what a surprise!
Ina is a contributor to the Boston chapter of the BMW Club monthly newsletter and has volunteered to look over our shoulder now and then to give us tire and wheel advice. Sounds like a great resource no matter what the age of your ride.
Members enjoyed the morning and walked away with a new found respect for the wheels on all their cars, both vintage and modern. One member even left a 50 year old steel rim behind so that Ina and her crew could work their magic and save it. I’m sure that it is great hands.
All in all a great visit to a terrific company that we can use in the future as the need arises.
KTF
Tom Tate
Established in 1992 and owned by Ina Ames, they straighten, true, balance and refinish all manner of wheels both old and new. Ina was our guide and led us on a visit to each station at their plant explaining how the work was done. We watched modern alloys being heated and bent back into like new condition, in many cases without any refinish work needed. It was quite an art.
Ina was our tour director for the day having done this trip with many car clubs in the past. There were discussions about run flat tires (not her favorite), tire pressure sensors (a good idea) and what constitutes the best winter tire available for your application (you’ll have to ask her).
This company caters to car enthusiasts of all types and we were able to see a large display of rims from many different types of motorsports. Even motorcycles bend rims on Boston streets, what a surprise!
Ina is a contributor to the Boston chapter of the BMW Club monthly newsletter and has volunteered to look over our shoulder now and then to give us tire and wheel advice. Sounds like a great resource no matter what the age of your ride.
Members enjoyed the morning and walked away with a new found respect for the wheels on all their cars, both vintage and modern. One member even left a 50 year old steel rim behind so that Ina and her crew could work their magic and save it. I’m sure that it is great hands.
All in all a great visit to a terrific company that we can use in the future as the need arises.
KTF
Tom Tate
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