Wide Wheels

[moggiesgalore]

Can anyone confirm the width of LP936 wheels. I know that LP917s are 4.5J, but are 936s the same?

[PSL184]

AFAIK they are the same it is just that more offset is positive on 936's whereas it is negative on 917's. Some say that 936's push the tyre contact patch out too far, but they do look wider when fitted.......

[aupickup]

yes they are the same in width

[moggiesgalore]

Hmmm... Interesting. I have an original Dunlop set of 14" 5.5j wheels. 4" PCD and Minor hubcaps fit beautifully. They have a large positive offset (deep dish). Can't find an LP number on them anywhere.

[bmcecosse]

They must have been specially made - 4.5" wide was all that was available for the Minor from the original suppliers. I believe Minor Developments (?) made (maybe still make?) 5.5 J wheels.

[moggiesgalore]

Thanks for your comments BMC. I bought them from a terminally ill Riley 1.5 about 13 years ago (I also bought the diff from another one next to it) I remember the guy I bought them from believed the car had been used for rallying, so that would make sense! I forgot I had them until recently!

[les]

Are they banded to get that width?

[moggiesgalore]

I'm not totally sure what you mean by banded? I guess you are referring to either a reinforcement band or steel let into the rim to widen them? But if this is so, no they are exactly as the original Minor wheels but significantly wider. I guess this must make them even rarer than LP936s?! They are certainly not modern repros, I've had them too long to know that.

For info, I have put a photo here.... http://www.flickr.com/photos/51729033@N05/4977412183/

[bmcecosse]

I think some were making these wider wheels up by welding Minor centres into wider (Vauxhall I know fit - there may be others) outer rims. I mocked one up - but have bottled it at the welding stage! I think this is how Minor Developments made theirs - and 'Wanderinstar' made himself a set about a year ago now. I wonder if they will clear the rear arches ???

[moggiesgalore]

Yes, I have read about this. These though I am convinced are as they would have left the Dunlop factory. They look like the original riveting and are stamped around the middle with the 5.5J x 14 size. The Dunlop logo is there too. I first spotted them on the car about 18 years ago and by the time I went to do a deal on them the car has disintegrated, so I reckon it would be 30 years since they were in proper use.

[bmcecosse]

Well done then - I think you have something very rare - take care of them!

[les]

Hi, yes a strip let in. I see now from the photo that they are not banded. They would look nice cleaned up and painted! Tempted to make you an offer!

[moggiesgalore]

I must admit, I'm in a dilemma at the moment as to whether to keep them or not. They are now away being shotblasted and powdercoated. I can't decide whether to put on my car or not. Watch this space, they may be appearing on a well known auction site soon!

[moggiesgalore]

Well, have just received the call from the blasters and apparently the wheels are blasted, zinc primed and powder coated in OEW. They have even wrapped them for me too! Should be interesting...