Driving down the boulevard in their Italian supercars, wealthy but genuine car enthusiasts face the difficult challenge of separating themselves from the typical playboys in fast cars. To solve this first world problem, HRE performance wheels proposed that there is no better way to add a touch of class to an exotic than by installing performance wheels with vintage flair.

Introducing the new Vintage Series, HRE wheels recreated three iconic designs from the brand’s 34-year history, each of which range from 18- to 20-inches, and are completely re-engineered as 3-piece forged wheels from quality aerospace-grade forged alloy. What’s more, each wheel is hand-finished in order to meet customer’s specifications for their modern exotic.

HRE provided a press gallery to showcase its new wheels installed upon the successors of the same automobiles that once wore the originals. The German racing car roots of the “501″ wheels are instantly recognizable, as its mesh lace design suits the latest viper green Porsche 991 ducktail nicely.  The five-porthole “454″ is a modern take on the wheels from the sensational Lamborghini Diablo and are just as striking to look at when fitted to the new Aventador. Finally, the pentagram design “505″ is a proper ode to the Ferrari F40, although pairing the set of wheels to a Ferrari 458 Spider is slightly clashing.

HRE Wheels President Alan Peltier said, “The process of recreating vintage designs that captured the style and essence of the originals was very exciting and challenging for all of us at HRE. These designs take us all back to the ’70′s and ’80′s when we were kids falling in love with exotics for the first time and truly becoming car lovers. Capturing all the character and magic of these designs, while ensuring they fit modern super cars and met our current engineering standards, made the project tougher than simply creating replicas of the original cast wheels. We found inspiration in those original designs but created wheels that reflect the HRE of today; wheels that are truly inspired.”

Wealthy automotive connoisseurs, rejoice!

GALLERY: HRE Vintage Series

[Source: Autoblog]

The Blue Angels-themed Mustang GT, built specifically to be sold at a charity auction, fetched a total of $400,000, making up a good chunk of the total $2.2 million raised at the annual EAA AirVenture benefiting the Young Eagles program. The winner didn’t just get himself a wickedly-built blue chrome Mustang GT either. He (or she) also got a Blue Angels flight helmet autographed by all the members of the current team.

The completed Mustang GT features a blue chrome paint job done by Creations ‘n Chrome with hand painted stripes and graphics. The front end comes from a Boss 302 while the custom rear wing does a fantastic job paying homage to the aviation team. The set of HRE 590RS wheels looks right at home on the custom Ford, and gives the car a very classy touch.

On the inside, custom Recaro seats can be found sporting Alcantara fabric, yellow stripes and stitching. The steering wheel gets a similar theme while a trio of gauges can be spotted from the dash. The yellow stripes and stitching theme also continues on the door panels and floor mats, while a Boss 302 Laguna Seca rear seat delete is painted a custom painted yellow.

And to prove that Ford isn’t in the business of just building flashy vehicles with no go, the Blue Angels-themed Mustang would make even those fast-flying pilots proud. Under the hood is Ford Racing’s supercharger system with all the fumes being expelled out of a Ford Mustang exhaust. Ford Racing’s handling package was thrown on to enhance the suspension while braking is now perfect with a set of Brembo front brakes and Ford Racing’s brake ducts.

GALLERY: Blue Angels Ford Mustang GT

[Source: Mustangs Daily]

We’ve checked out Oakley Designs’ rendition of Ferrari’s 458 Italia before and now we’ll have a chance to see it in person in the HRE booth at this year’s SEMA show. By far one of the cleanest styling packages we have seen for the new Italia, the British tuner looks to to give it the American spotlight with its North American debut at the largest aftermarket show in America.

Since the Oakley Design 458 comes exclusively with HRE P40S Monoblok wheels, it’s no surprise Oakley Design opted to go with a co-branding opportunity in HRE’s booth. And for those that don’t know the details behind Oakley Design’s 458 Italia, it gets a power boost from 562-hp to 618-hp thanks to a remapped ECU and larger carbon fiber intake box.

The exterior is accented with a new front spoiler that provides plenty of additional down force while the rear gets a spoiler with Gurney flap.

We’ll be sure to check out this beautiful model in person with live coverage of the 2010 SEMA Show starting November 2nd. Until then, check out our SEMA Preview here.

Press release available after the break.

GALLERY: Oakley Design Ferrari 458 Italia SEMA Car

HRE Wheels has introduced three centerlock wheel models for the Porsche 911 Turbo and GT3 in OEM and custom applications. Styles include the three piece Competition Series C90-C and C93-C, while HRE also offers a monoblok one series offering with their P40-C design.

The perfect bolt-on wheel for the new Porsche Turbo and GT3, they are available in 18- and 19-inch applications, engineered to minimize weight starting at 17 lbs. Our favorite part about HRE Wheels is their ability to do completely custom sizes and offsets along with colors and finishes.

In addition, all of HRE Wheels for the Porsche are designed to specific load ratings in the front and the rear in order to maintain the strength required by the new higher horsepower Porsches.

Official press release available after the break.

GALLERY: HRE Centerlock Wheels for Porsche Turbo, GT3

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