Mugen CF-48 Glory Labs Edition: The Iconic 80s Wheel Returns as a Modern Collector’s Piece
If you’re into classic Hondas, period-correct JDM parts, and the kind of detail that separates “nice build” from “museum-grade,” the Mugen CF-48 Glory Labs Edition is one of the most exciting wheel releases in years. It’s a faithful revival of a wheel that originally emerged from MUGEN’s golden era—first appearing for race use in 1984 and reaching public purchase in 1985—now reissued in a tightly controlled run for enthusiasts who care about authenticity as much as fitment.
What Is the Mugen CF-48 Glory Labs Edition?
The CF-48 Glory Labs Edition is an official, limited-quantity modern reproduction of the original CF-48 that was sold in the 1980s and became renowned for its design—particularly as an overseas-market icon. MUGEN described it as a reproduced model of the CF-48 sold in the 80’s and noted it as a design reputed for overseas markets.
Quick Specs (The Details That Matter)
Before diving into design philosophy and collectibility, here's what you're actually getting with the Glory Labs Edition:
What's Included in Each Set
The Glory Labs Edition isn't just four wheels in a box. Each serialized set comes with everything needed to complete the authentic CF-48 look:
- 4 Wheels: 15x7 +40, 4x100, Silver finish
- Center Caps: Period-correct MUGEN center caps
- Aero Disks: The signature turbine-style covers that define the CF-48's iconic look
- Serialized Number Plate: Each set is individually numbered out of 300
- Certificate of Authenticity: Hand-signed official documentation from MUGEN
The CF-48's Signature Design: Not Just Looks
The CF-48 isn't just another retro wheel with a cool pattern—it's a design rooted in 1980s motorsport engineering philosophy. Every element serves a purpose, even if that purpose has evolved from pure function to iconic aesthetic over the decades.
The Turbine Aesthetic
The CF-48's defining feature is its turbine-style aero disk—a design language that dominated 1980s motorsport. The curved, fan-blade spokes weren't just for show. In period racing applications, these designs were believed to:
- Direct airflow to brake components: The curved channels were intended to route cooling air toward rotors and calipers during sustained high-speed use
- Manage aerodynamic drag: Covered or semi-covered wheel designs were popular in an era obsessed with aero efficiency
- Create visual continuity: The turbine look matched the aggressive, tech-forward styling of 80s performance cars and prototypes
Whether the actual cooling benefits were significant is debatable by modern CFD standards—but the intent was real, and the look became permanently associated with serious motorsport hardware.
The Aero Covers: Functional Origins, Iconic Results
The Glory Labs Edition includes the removable aero disks that snap over the base wheel. This two-piece visual design (wheel + cover) was common in the era, allowing teams to run the same wheel with or without covers depending on cooling needs and regulations.
Today, the covers are primarily aesthetic—but they're essential to the CF-48's identity. Without them, you have a decent mesh-style wheel. With them, you have one of the most recognizable JDM designs ever produced.
Modern Manufacturing, Original Spirit
While the design is faithful to the 1985 original, the Glory Labs Edition benefits from modern casting techniques and quality control. The result is a wheel that looks period-correct but meets contemporary standards for consistency and finish quality.
This is a 1-piece cast aluminum construction—not forged, not multi-piece. That's true to the original CF-48's construction and keeps the price point accessible compared to forged reproductions. For a 15-inch wheel intended for classic Hondas and lightweight builds, cast construction is more than adequate for street and light track use.
Why the Glory Labs Edition Is So Collectible
Plenty of wheels look cool. Plenty of wheels have motorsport heritage. But very few check every box that serious collectors care about. The CF-48 Glory Labs Edition does—and that's why sets are disappearing fast.
Limited to 300 Serialized Sets
This isn't marketing fluff. MUGEN and Glory Labs produced exactly 300 sets worldwide—and the original manufacturing mold has since been destroyed. That means:
- No second production run: When these 300 sets are sold, the Glory Labs Edition is gone forever
- Each set is numbered: Your wheels come with a serialized plaque indicating your set's number out of 300
- Documented authenticity: A certificate of authenticity accompanies each set, ensuring provenance for future collectors
Genuine MUGEN Heritage
The CF-48 isn't a replica or a tribute wheel made by a third party hoping to capture MUGEN's magic. This is an official MUGEN product, produced in collaboration with Glory Labs to faithfully reproduce a wheel from their own archives.
That lineage matters—especially in a market flooded with "inspired by" wheels of questionable origin. When you bolt on a set of CF-48 Glory Labs wheels, you're running genuine MUGEN hardware with a direct connection to the company's 1980s racing legacy.
The Original CF-48's Rarity Problem
Why not just hunt down an original set from the 1980s? You can try—but here's what you're up against:
- Extremely scarce: Original CF-48s were produced in limited numbers nearly 40 years ago
- Condition concerns: Surviving sets often show decades of wear, curb rash, corrosion, or refinishing of unknown quality
- Missing components: Finding a complete set with original center caps and aero disks intact is exceptionally rare
- Authentication challenges: Verifying an original's legitimacy requires deep expertise and carries inherent risk
- Premium pricing: When clean originals do surface, they command prices well above the Glory Labs Edition
The Glory Labs Edition solves all of these problems: brand-new condition, complete with all components, fully documented, and available at a known price—while supplies last.
Investment Potential
We're not financial advisors, and wheels shouldn't be your retirement plan. That said, the math is straightforward: a desirable product with fixed supply (300 sets), strong brand equity (MUGEN), passionate collector base (Honda/JDM enthusiasts), and zero possibility of future production typically appreciates over time.
Original CF-48s have only become more valuable and harder to find. There's no reason to expect the Glory Labs Edition—especially sealed, unused sets—to follow a different trajectory.
Who This Wheel Is Perfect For
The CF-48 Glory Labs Edition isn't for everyone—and that's by design. At 15x7 with a 4x100 bolt pattern, it targets a specific audience. Here's who should be paying attention:
Classic Honda Builders
If you're building a period-correct or era-appropriate classic Honda, the CF-48 is one of the most authentic choices you can make. The 4x100 bolt pattern and +40 offset were tailor-made for:
- EF Civic (1988–1991): The hatchback that defined a generation of Honda tuning
- EG Civic (1992–1995): Lightweight, nimble, and the perfect canvas for JDM parts
- EK Civic (1996–2000): The last of the classic Civic chassis before the 7th-gen redesign
- CRX (1988–1991): Honda's legendary lightweight sports coupe
- First-Gen Integra (1986–1989): Often overlooked, but a perfect match for 80s MUGEN aesthetics
For these platforms, running genuine MUGEN wheels from the same era as your car creates a cohesion that replica wheels simply can't replicate. To see these wheels on your car, head on over to our Wheel Visualizer.
JDM Collectors & Enthusiasts
Not everyone buying the CF-48 Glory Labs Edition plans to install them immediately—or at all. For serious JDM collectors, this wheel represents:
- A tangible piece of MUGEN history: From one of the most respected names in Honda motorsport
- A sealed collectible: Brand-new, serialized, and documented—ideal for long-term collection
- Future flexibility: Install them on a build years from now, or keep them sealed as the market matures