Tamiya wheel mystery

[XLR8]

I have a set of Blackfoot style wheels that are chrome plated and was wondering with which model these where included.
I'm aware of the Monster Beetle which included gold plated Blackfoot wheels and the Mud Blaster, but what other Tamiya models used Blackfoot wheels in chrome?
Thanks!

[Rider400]

Not certain if the Midnight Pumpkin used the same sized wheels but they had a version with chrome wheels. Unless they are aluminum then in this case they would be aftermarket.

[mikea96]

They are probably the chrome king blackfoot wheels! Have a photo?

[MarkyDents]

If it’s the original Blackfoot wheel design then no regular chrome comes to mind. Just the gold ones you mentioned already. I do remember a company that sold chromed original tamiya parts, definitely for the Clodbuster maybe they possibly did parts for other models as well. I believe I do specifically remember chromed versions of the chassis for the original Blackfoot. Naturally that would have covered a handful of others models as well.

[XLR8]

I think Midnight Pumpkin and Lunchbox share the same wheels and I believe they might be smaller than BF. Anyway MP and LB wheels have solid centers so they are different than BF.

Mike, I think I've looked at all the BF variants and their wheel's centers are different from the originals.

Anyway, I have two (really crappy) photos.

The fronts are molded in yellow and rears are natural nylon (pale white) so they might have come from two different models.
Anyway, I've read somewhere that the gold tint can be removed from Monster Beetle wheels leaving them chrome. If that has been done to these, then they have gone to the trouble of removing absolutely every trace of gold everywhere on the wheels - even on the back side. I see no evidence these were ever tinted gold.

I'm trying to determine if these wheels are uncommon. If they are common, I want to strip the chrome and paint them. If they are uncommon, I'll toss them back in the box and look for others to paint. These obviously are not in pristine condition so maybe it's no loss if I paint them.

Thanks.

[XLR8]

If it’s the original Blackfoot wheel design then no regular chrome comes to mind. Just the gold ones you mentioned already. I do remember a company that sold chromed original tamiya parts, definitely for the Clodbuster maybe they possibly did parts for other models as well. I believe I do specifically remember chromed versions of the chassis for the original Blackfoot. Naturally that would have covered a handful of others models as well.

You might be right. These might have been chromed by others.

[GoMachV]

Imex sold chrome versions

[MarkyDents]

GoMachV gets the gold star !!
Now were they IMEX made wheels or were they tamiya wheels chromed and repackaged ?

[GoMachV]

My money is on that they were non original copies but it’s only speculation based on other Imex stuff

[XLR8]

Well, there you go. I believe Jeff has it right - these probably came from IMEX.
FWIW, they are marked "Made in Taiwan".
Also, upon close inspection, there are some very un-Tamiya like imperfections in the molds - not just the moldings but the actual molds.
There's a very good chance these are knock-offs. Close copies but not genuine Tamiya.
Also, I was wrong about the material; they're not nylon but some kind of hard plastic that will probably melt with acetone.
I reckon I'll just scuff them with a Scotchbrite pad and shoot the paint.
Thanks everyone who replied.
Ya'll get a gold star.

[Lowgear]

I came here to post that they're Imex rims but got beaten to it. Also, Midnight Pumpkin / Lunch Box rims are slightly smaller than your standard issue 2.2. They're called 2.0 or something like that. You can stretch the tires on a 2.2 rim but it's a tight fit. Last but not least, the company that used to sell chrome plated stock parts was CCP (Custom Chrome Parts). Unfortunately, the finished product was inconsistent. Sometimes you'd get a part with a good result, but most times the coverage was poor, and or came off easily.

[MarkyDents]

That’s it !! CCP ! Lowgear thank you….
I’m still dizzy from firing through all the RCCA scans lookin for the tiny ad I remember seeing but still haven’t come across. I know I must have missed it…. Ok I’m gunna go lay down for a bit