About This Audi 100 Series GL 1973 Build
We love featuring real builds from real owners. This Audi 100 Series GL 1973 sits on a set of 17×7 / 17×8-inch Rotiform-Forged LHR wheels, and the result speaks for itself.
The owner chose Rotiform-Forged for a reason. This brand delivers serious quality and a design language that turns heads at every car meet. We see hundreds of Audi 100 Series GL builds come through WheelFront every month, but this one stands out. The combination of the exterior with the Rotiform-Forged LHR creates a look that balances aggression with elegance.
Fitment Breakdown: Rotiform-Forged LHR on the Audi 100 Series GL 1973
I walked up to this '73 Audi 100 GL and I immediately noticed the stance. We rarely see these classic Audis with a proper custom wheel setup. The Rotiform-Forged LHR wheels look right at home tucked into these arches.
We are running a staggered 17x7 in the front and a 17x8 in the rear. Those widths give the car a wider footprint without overwhelming the vintage body lines. It is a bold jump from the factory steelies, but the proportions hold up perfectly.
The offsets are dialed in at 40mm up front and 35mm in the back. This pushes the face out just enough to clear the front struts without hitting the fenders. We have plenty of room for those older brake calipers to breathe behind the spokes.
That 17-inch diameter is the absolute limit for this chassis. Anything larger would look like a carriage wheel on a horse. We kept the profile tight to maintain that vintage feel while modernizing the rolling stock.
The Rotiform LHR design features a classic mesh pattern that hides the hub bore perfectly. Because these are forged, the barrel depth creates a killer shadow line under the fender lips. You get that retro racing aesthetic with modern structural strength.
We specifically chose a lifted suspension setup to clear the tires under full lock. Most guys slam these cars, but the extra travel saves your paint from rubbing. You get a unique rally-inspired look that sets this build apart from every other slammed Audi.
Watch your inner liner clearance near the rear trailing arms. We checked the tolerances twice, and you have about a finger's width of gap at full compression. It is tight, but it works without any annoying rubbing sounds.
What We Recommend for Audi 100 Series GL 1973 Owners
If you own one of these Audi 100s, stop searching for period-correct wheels immediately. You need a custom-forged set to get the backspacing right on these narrow hubs. Don't waste your time with off-the-shelf universal wheels that require massive spacers.
We suggest sticking to a 17-inch wheel for the best balance of tire availability and looks. Do not go to an 18-inch setup unless you enjoy scrubbing your inner fenders on every bump. The 17x7 and 17x8 stagger we used is the golden ratio for this body style.
Stick to an offset between 35mm and 40mm to keep your scrub radius manageable. If you go lower than 30mm, you will need to roll your fenders aggressively. Nobody wants to hack up the original metal on a survivor-condition GL.
We recommend a slightly meaty tire profile to protect your investment. A 205/45 or 215/40 tire keeps the sidewall looking proportional to the car. Stretching tires is a mistake here; let the tire fill the arch naturally.
Do not skip out on the hub-centric rings when you install these. These older Audi hubs are picky, and vibrations will ruin your drive if the center bore is off by a hair. Buy a high-quality aluminum set and save yourself the headache.
Style and Build Analysis
That Gold finish is the hero of this entire build. Against the original paint, the wheels pop with an intensity I did not expect. It looks like a high-end restoration project that took a sudden turn toward the racetrack.
The LHR design is pure 1970s nostalgia refined for the modern era. Those polished lips catch the sunlight and reflect the asphalt as the car rolls by. You get a complex, busy mesh face that creates a beautiful contrast against the simple, slab-sided Audi body.
I love how the gold spokes pull the eye toward the center of the car. It balances the visual weight of the Audi 100's long overhangs. The car looks planted, intentional, and frankly, a bit meaner than it did when it left the factory.
When we compare this to other builds, most people settle for basic silver or boring chrome. This owner chose gold to lean into the vintage racing heritage. It transforms a humble family sedan into a piece of rolling art.
The stance is aggressive but functional, which is the holy grail of wheel fitment. You can see the engineering in the way the wheel sits flush with the fender line. It commands respect without being flashy or desperate for attention.
Why We Love This Build
There is a raw, mechanical honesty to this Audi 100 GL that keeps me coming back. When the sun hits those gold Rotiforms, the whole car glows with a kinetic energy that makes you want to drive it until the fuel tank runs dry. Seeing a classic piece of German engineering lifted and wearing high-end forged hardware is exactly why we stay in this game.
It proves that you do not need to follow the crowd to build something legendary. This car feels like a time capsule that finally got the shoes it deserved forty years ago. Every bolt and every offset choice tells a story of passion and precision. Go find your own set and start building your legacy.
Full Specs Breakdown
Here is exactly what this owner is running. We break down every detail so you can replicate this build or use it as a starting point for your own setup.
- Car Make & Model: Audi 100 Series GL 1973
- Vehicle Color:
- Wheel Brand & Model: Rotiform-Forged LHR
- Wheel Size: 17×7 / 17×8
- Offset: 40 / 35
- Wheel Finish: Gold
- Tires: Nankang Ns2 175/35 21.8″x6.9″ / 185/35 22.1″x7.3″
- Suspension: Lifted
Before You Buy: Fitment Checklist
We talk to Audi 100 Series GL owners every day. These are the questions we hear most before they pull the trigger on new wheels.
Will 17×7 / 17×8-inch wheels fit my Audi 100 Series GL? Yes, but fitment depends on width, offset, and tire size working together. A wrong offset means rubbing. A wrong tire size means poor handling. Always verify all three.
Do I need to modify my fenders? That depends on your offset and suspension. A conservative offset with stock ride height usually fits without modification. Go aggressive and you may need to roll or pull your fenders.
Can I daily-drive this setup? Absolutely. Thousands of Audi 100 Series GL owners run 17×7 / 17×8-inch wheels every day. The key is choosing the right tire with enough sidewall to absorb road imperfections.
